Go on take the money and run, pre-trip report 5/17 - 5/21 Disney Wonder - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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's Disney Cruise Line > Sharing Your Adventure: Disney Cruise 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 02-17-2009, 09:14 PM   #1
sueh818
Community Rank: Traveler
 
sueh818's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Los Angeles, California
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 495

Post Thanks / Like
Go on take the money and run, pre-trip report 5/17 - 5/21 Disney Wonder

Although this is both a land and sea vacation, I decided to post the pre-trip report here since the sea portion was longer, and it all started with the cruise.

Update 9/20/2009. I've finally begun my trip report.

You'll find the land portion here.


Cast: Sue (38) Theo (39)
What: Saratoga Springs May 15 – 17, Disney Wonder May 17 – 21.
Celebration: Our 15th Wedding Anniversary




How it started
Last Summer when the Disney Magic was on the West Coast, we fulfilled a dream, taking our four young daughters on one of the 7-day Mexican Riviera cruises. This was our first ever real vacation -- one that was fun for everyone and truly relaxing for everyone. Before the cruise we had anticipated that our family would love cruising and want to go again, so we set aside some funds to rebook on board to take advantage of the on board savings.


Several days into the cruise Theo and I were bemoaning the fact that we wouldn't be able to swing a trip this big for a couple of years, especially if we have to pay for airfare to the East Cost (we are from California) on top of the price of two staterooms. We really didn't want to wait that long! Grasping at straws I pondered aloud What if it were just the two of us? What if it was just a 4-day? Would that be too cruel to do the kids? Then a sudden inspiration, You know what, Hey! It's our 15th anniversary in April! That would totally justify a kid-free trip! We could take the money we had set aside for the deposit and that would cover most of a trip for the two of us! Hee, hee, hee, hee!


So we looked into some dates and called the future cruise desk, which was very busy. We played phone tag with the future cruise rep a few times and in the meantime, Theo suggested we attend the DVC presentation to see if that was a good fit for our family.


We very quickly realized that if we took the money we had set aside for the trip and used it as a down payment for DVC, we could go on our Anniversary trip, plus many more in the future.


Back home we considered all options and decided that instead of going on the actual day of our Anniversary in on April 30, that we would wait until mid-May when the girls would have state testing at school and a whole week with no homework. No homework would be much easier for Gramma.


So I contacted DVC reservations and booked a Category 9 stateroom for the May 17-21 cruise on the Wonder. Theo and I talked and decided it made sense to fly out the day before so we wouldn't have to worry about delays and having the ship sail off without us. Then we though that if we're flying in the day before, why not try out and stay at our new home resort, Saratoga Springs? Then we went on, Shesh! We're flying all the way out to Florida and staying at the WDW resort (where we've never been before, BTW) with no time at all to check out the parks?! That's just silly! Yet we still didn't want to leave the girls for too long or overburden Gramma, so we decided to add just one more day so we could at least have a chance to see Epcot. So I called DVC and booked a Studio at Saratoga Springs for two nights, May 15-16.


Next I started researching flights. We thought we should try to get an early flight so we'd have time to relax at the resort that evening. That's when I saw an overnight flight that left at 10 pm Pacific time on May 14 and arrived at 6 am Eastern time May 15. And that got me thinking. I reasoned that if we were leaving early on Friday, then Gramma would already be spending the night at our place on Thursday, and if she was already spending the night, would it make much difference if we left after the kids were in bed on Thursday night vs. Friday morning? That would give two full days at the park! Sure, we would be tired, but hadn't we survived plenty of sleepless nights when the twins were little? I was pretty sure that DH wouldn't want to take a red-eye, but he surprised me and said, “Go for it!”

The next few months there wasn't a ton going on trip-planning wise. I watched the air fares, and pored over my Passporter Guided to WDW, researched restaurant ideas, and made a few door signs. For Christmas I asked for and received a compact travel camera that was durable and waterproof. (On the last trip I didn't take as many pictures as I'd have liked because I didn't want to carry our big expensive camera around with me everywhere.)


Then as the 90 day mark approached the air fares went on sale and I was able to get our plane tickets for $238 each (down from $404 a few months ago). A couple days later ADRs opened up for our arrival dates and I finalized our plans for our WDW stay. Two days later we hit the 90 day mark for our cruise and I was able to get all the reservations we wanted for that. Here are the rough plans:


Day One, Friday, May 15
Arrive 6 am
Magical Express to Saratoga Springs.
Check in and drop off our carry-ons.
Head to Disney Hollywood Studios.
9 am Brunch at Hollywood and Vine.
5 pm Dinner at Brown Derby.
We wanted to do “dinner and a show” and were disappointed to find out that Fantasmic would not be showing that night.

Dav Two, Saturday, May 16
Epcot all day
11:30 am lunch at Coral Reef
5:30 dinner at Tutto Italia


Day Three, Sunday, May 17
9 am breakfast at the Grand Floridian Cafe
11 am take the Disney Ground Transfer to Port Canaveral.
All aboard the Wonder!


Day Four, Monday, May 18
Nassau – Stay on the ship.
6 pm dinner at Palo.


Day Five, Tuesday, May 19
Castaway Cay
10 am Parasailing


Day Six, Wednesday, May 20
At Sea
10 am brunch at Palo.


Day Seven, Thursday, May 21
Back at Port Canaveral.
Disney Ground Transfer to MCO.
12 pm flight home.


Now just a quick three months and it will be here!


...And that's how I managed to turned a 4-day cruise into a 7-day land/sea vacation.
__________________
Sue • PassPorter Street Team Volunteer



My Countdown Counting down to: Grand Californian Getaway
On my way home!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsLots & lots of Disneyland; 2008 DCL Mexican Riviera; 2009 WDW Saratoga Springs & DCL Wonder; 2011 DCL Mexican Riviera

Last edited by sueh818; 09-21-2009 at 01:51 PM..
sueh818 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2009, 01:34 AM   #2
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
What a great start - and what wonderful plans! I can't wait to hear all about it.
__________________

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 02-18-2009, 08:32 AM   #3
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 start Sue!!
__________________
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 02-18-2009, 08:25 PM   #4
stacyconway10
Community Rank: Visitor
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 2

Post Thanks / Like
Looking forward to joining you on the big boat and look forward to more pre-trip updates!
stacyconway10 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-19-2009, 03:37 AM   #5
lauriep
Community Rank: Legend
 
lauriep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 15,377

Post Thanks / Like
Sounds great! Looking forward to the report.
__________________
lauriep is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-19-2009, 04:13 PM   #6
I live with a 'Stitch'!
Community Rank: Adventurer
 
I live with a 'Stitch'!'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Illinois
Posts: 779

Post Thanks / Like
I love your Disney math! Way to make the most out of your anniversary trip! Can't wait to read all about it!
__________________

Read all about it in my TR, "Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot!"
Jill Phil. 4: 13
My Countdown Counting down to: The best Disney Vacation Yet!!
Look out 'World'- Here we come!
My Previous TripsVacation Village and Disney's Old Key West July 2010; Windsor Hills Resort July 2009,POP October 2008, ASMu July 2008,WDW June 2007, WDW June 2005, Miami 2004, Hawaii 2001, Jamacia 2000
I live with a 'Stitch'! is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-19-2009, 04:16 PM   #7
cburke
Community Rank: Jetsetter
 
cburke's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: nc
Posts: 2,007

Post Thanks / Like
great start
__________________
http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...brate-ptr.html
My Countdown Counting down to: My birthday
lets celebrate
cburke is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2009, 07:59 AM   #8
DyanKJ130
Go Red Sox!! :D
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank: Legend
 
DyanKJ130's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Rhode Island - Red Sox Nation
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 27,451

Post Thanks / Like
Great start and plans! Looking forward to hearing all about your trip!
__________________
Dyan PassPorter Guide: Disneyland Trip Reports, The Kitchen and The Library

My Countdown Counting down to: Bagman Days
Remembering Bill Myers: A great man; a true friend
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsPop December 2018, Contemporary September 2018, CSR/ASSports December 2017, OKW July 2017, Swan December 2016/January 2017, Pop September 2016, AKL July 2016, CSR December 2015, CSR BL July 2015, CSR/AKL February 2015, Swan December 2014, POR July 2014, WL CL September 2013, CSR BL July 2013, SSR December 2012, ASMo September/October 2012, CSR August 2011, SSR February 2010, CSR December 2008/January 2009, DLR (Dolphin's Cove Resort) February 2008, CBR September 2007, CSR August 2006, POR December 2005, WL June/July 2004, POR August 2002, Dixie Landings August 2000, Off-site February 1999, DLR March 1988, DLR March 1986, Golf Resort (now SOG) October 1979
DyanKJ130 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2009, 11:17 AM   #9
sueh818
Community Rank: Traveler
 
sueh818's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Los Angeles, California
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 495

Post Thanks / Like
Thank you everyone for your encouragement.

Quote:
Originally Posted by I live with a 'Stitch'! View Post
I love your Disney math! Way to make the most out of your anniversary trip! Can't wait to read all about it!
"Disney Math" I didn't know there was an official name for it

Quote:
Looking forward to joining you on the big boat and look forward to more pre-trip updates!
I wish I had something to update! These times in between are the hard parts.
P.S. I have a door magnet all ready for you. I guess I could update with the door magnets I've made.
__________________
Sue • PassPorter Street Team Volunteer



My Countdown Counting down to: Grand Californian Getaway
On my way home!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsLots & lots of Disneyland; 2008 DCL Mexican Riviera; 2009 WDW Saratoga Springs & DCL Wonder; 2011 DCL Mexican Riviera
sueh818 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2009, 11:34 AM   #10
sueh818
Community Rank: Traveler
 
sueh818's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Los Angeles, California
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 495

Post Thanks / Like
Door signs

Here is a sign I made for my door:




Here are some signs I made for the fellow passporters who will be on the same cruise.

For stacyconway10:




For cmliberty:



For her daughter and son-in-law to be:



Now that I'm in between things to do with this trip I should probably work on my photo journal from our Disneyland visit last month.
__________________
Sue • PassPorter Street Team Volunteer



My Countdown Counting down to: Grand Californian Getaway
On my way home!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsLots & lots of Disneyland; 2008 DCL Mexican Riviera; 2009 WDW Saratoga Springs & DCL Wonder; 2011 DCL Mexican Riviera
sueh818 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2009, 12:25 PM   #11
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
Love those signs!
__________________

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 02-20-2009, 04:25 PM   #12
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 stuff!!
__________________
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 02-20-2009, 06:55 PM   #13
DyanKJ130
Go Red Sox!! :D
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank: Legend
 
DyanKJ130's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Rhode Island - Red Sox Nation
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 27,451

Post Thanks / Like
the signs!
__________________
Dyan PassPorter Guide: Disneyland Trip Reports, The Kitchen and The Library

My Countdown Counting down to: Bagman Days
Remembering Bill Myers: A great man; a true friend
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsPop December 2018, Contemporary September 2018, CSR/ASSports December 2017, OKW July 2017, Swan December 2016/January 2017, Pop September 2016, AKL July 2016, CSR December 2015, CSR BL July 2015, CSR/AKL February 2015, Swan December 2014, POR July 2014, WL CL September 2013, CSR BL July 2013, SSR December 2012, ASMo September/October 2012, CSR August 2011, SSR February 2010, CSR December 2008/January 2009, DLR (Dolphin's Cove Resort) February 2008, CBR September 2007, CSR August 2006, POR December 2005, WL June/July 2004, POR August 2002, Dixie Landings August 2000, Off-site February 1999, DLR March 1988, DLR March 1986, Golf Resort (now SOG) October 1979
DyanKJ130 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2009, 08:49 PM   #14
stacyconway10
Community Rank: Visitor
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 2

Post Thanks / Like
I love them

Your magnets are wonderful!! Very creative and I hope you both had fun making them.
Definitely a good way to spread some magic!
Time is going so slow-but I am enjoying all the updates on the message boards and learning a lot!
I typically try to give my room hostess/hostesses & servers a little extra something the first day of our journey so I am brainstorming on that idea right now. ...
stacyconway10 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2009, 03:56 PM   #15
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
Another "Sue" Cruise to read about! But leaving the kids with Grandma and going Disneying without them?.. SHAME on you! (but I love it!)
Sounds like some good plans, I was glad to see Palo brunch. Great signs, BTW!
__________________

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
Reply




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 03:39 AM.

-->

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