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There are other changes as well.
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We go on to the joy and through the tears
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Moving on with the current of the years.
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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.
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So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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Always Let Your Stomach Be Your Guide Boardwalk Villas, October 14 – 18, 2011
Okay, I’ve put off starting this TR long enough. I apologize for the delay. I don’t even have an excuse (aside from laziness). I have set a personal goal to get this TR done by Thanksgiving weekend. And before you ask, no, I don’t have a trip planned that weekend. Four days off with no place to go. DM was as surprised as you are that I didn’t try to squeeze in a trip. But I did promise her that I’d use that weekend to scan a ton of old family photos and post them to her Facebook account. That is, when I’m not stuffing my face or shopping! So let’s get crackin’!
It’s a tradition for me to visit WDW every year in the fall to experience the Food and Wine Festival and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Generally, I like to stay at one of the Epcot resorts for convenience. I am a DVC member, but owning at AKV, I had no luck getting into one of the Epcot resorts at the 7-month window (usually because, well, I have a little trouble remembering to call on the first day ).
I would usually just pay cash, because I’d rather be close to Epcot and then, I could use my points for another trip. But last year, I decided to add on points at an Epcot resort. I purchased a contract for 100 points at the Boardwalk Villas (I like the rooms there better than at the BC). Now I’d be able to book at 11 months out and get in!
So when my 11-month window rolled around, I… forgot to call! Luckily, I remembered within a few days. I called to book a studio for me and DM, and was able to get one! Yay!
A few months later, I was able to book airfare. The fares were pretty cheap, except for one problem. The cheap fares for our original arrival date were late in the afternoon. I didn’t want to waste so much of the day traveling, and I didn’t want to pay the crazy early-morning fare, so I did what any insane person would do. I added another day onto the trip! I know this ends up costing more in the long run, but you can’t talk logic to a crazy person!
This also caused a potential problem, because some time had passed and the BWV were likely filling up. Luckily, it was before the 7-month window opened, and I was able to add on another night without a problem (just the annoyance of having 2 reservations).
A few months later, Disney announced the special events for the Food & Wine Festival. I had never done one before, but that’s mainly because my F&WF trips tend to be shorter trips and the timing never worked out. I learned that during my trip this year, there would be something called “Discovery of Chocolate.” Well, I was all over that, and I knew DM would be too! When it was time to book it (I actually set myself an alarm so I wouldn’t forget ), I was able to get tickets for DM and me. I didn’t choose this TR title accidentally!
Some more time went by and we found out that my DF needed to have major surgery a month before our trip, so DM sadly canceled her trip. My friend Chuck decided to go in her place, but then he got a fabulous new job and started the week of my trip, so he didn’t go either. No worries, I’ll manage just fine on my own.
Somewhere in there, I bought my ticket for MNSSHP on the Sunday night of my trip. That also happens to be the same day of the chocolate seminar, so that’ll be a sweet day indeed.
There were a lot of other PassPorters planning trips which would overlap with mine, so I did my best to come up with a schedule (I mean other than eat my way around World Showcase, note the name of the TR ) so I could plan to meet up with as many PPers as I could. As a sneak preview, I made plans to meet up with (in order of appearance) Melanie (Principessa_di_Fata) and her DD and DM, Jill (Jillybean) and her family, Tanya (Eeyoresmom) and Scott (ZAX) and Vanessa, their DD, Heather (ilovedisney247) and Brandon, and Holly (mommapants) and her family. I also had planned to meet up with Linny (Linnynad) and her family, but I programmed her phone number into my phone incorrectly so I sent a text to some unknown person and not Linny. Also, there’s a surprise meet thrown in there. I’ll talk about that later (unless she wants to pipe up and out herself ).
Thanksgiving day - 22 days, I have faith you will get it done Great start, sorry your mom could not go with you, hoping everything is ok with your dad. Lots of great meets and great food....I am scheduling my reading of your TR after I eat lunch (not that it will stop me from salivating over my keyboard as I look at all your pictures....lol)
Oh boy ..oh boy you started your TR,, Iwas excited to read your Mom would be with you as I love hearing about her candy experiences. I hope your Dad is feeling better and that Mom can maybe do a future trip with you. "Sweet Mabel in candyland"
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Aug,1978- LBV;Apr,1987-Disneyland;March,1993-offsite;Jan,1997-offsite;Aug,1999- CBR;Sept,2000- ASMo;Aug,2001- ASSP;Aug,2002- ASMU/AKL;Jan & July 2003-POR;June,December 2004- PC;January 2005- ASMU; Aug 2005-PC;Dec 2005-AKL;Jan 2006-CBR ; July/Aug-Saratoga springs; Dec. PC;April 2007- Disneyland;Aug 2007-Disneyland & So Cal;Dec 2007-POFQ; Aug2008-POFQ & Nov 2008 PC,Y&B May 2009 ASmu, June 2009 PC ; Nov 2009 WL & POFQ;Jan 2010 BW & WL; June 2010 POFQ ; Aug 2010 Poly ;Oct 2010 WL; Jan 2011 PC
So enough babbling, let’s get on with the good stuff!
Friday, October 14 He wants my… Bugles
I went to work because I didn’t want to use another vacation day (besides, they’re all spoken for already). Work was insanely quiet as it often is on Fridays around here, so I may have sneaked out a little early.
My DM offered to drive me to the airport, which was very kind of her. I think it was even tougher for her to stay behind when she was supposed to be coming along. And after my Dad’s heart surgery in September, his recovery was very quick and he was his old self again, () so she could’ve come along after all. She swears she’s not staying behind next year!
I knew I’d be landing late enough that I didn’t want to use DME for my suitcase, but I had too much stuff to bring with me to bring my small suitcase, so I had to bring my larger one and check it (I really need to pick up an in-between size). No worries, though, it took about 2 minutes and then I was waiting in the terribly long security line. Once the three people ahead of me were finished, it was my turn. It took a whole 10 minutes to check my bag and make it through security! Sheesh! I love my little airport.
I bought a drink and some Bugles as a snack. Then I had a seat at my gate. They were making announcements that the flight was oversold and you could get a credit and fly out in the morning, but I didn’t want to delay my trip any. I settled in with my iPod to wait for boarding to begin.
I may have mentioned before that I’m a weirdo magnet, so I wasn’t surprised that some random dude decided to come sit next to me. Then he started talking to me. I hate when people start a conversation with me when I’m wearing headphones. It’s kind of rude! Anyway, I had to hear this guy’s life story, which was really kind of boring! Sorry, random dude, if you happen to be reading this. Also, I don’t think choosing to sit next to me was random on his part, if you know what I mean, and I think you do. The whole time he’s boring me, I’m hoping that he has like a C boarding number so he won’t sit next to me on the plane. Then he mentions that he’s flying standby because he missed his plane earlier in the day. I’m saved! If he gets on the plane at all, he’ll be the last one on. No way he’ll be next to me! Or so I thought.
After a while, his daughter calls him and he walked away to talk to her. Yay! Then they announced it was boarding time. I had A17, so I went and took my spot. Once he was done with his phone call, he came back over and stood next to me again. I knew he wouldn’t be able to board out of order, so I didn’t bother telling him to get lost. When I boarded, I was able to score the window seat in the exit row! I figured there was no way those other two seats would stay open long! The flight attendant standing in the row (to make sure only those eligible sit there) practically mugged me for my Bugles. In these parts, they’re pretty rare (I can only find them in Walgreens), so I wasn’t going to give them to him, but I told him I’d happily share!
So the plane began to fill up and a nice man took the aisle seat. Then the plane filled more and more and more, and that dang middle seat stayed empty. I tried smiling at everyone invitingly to get someone, anyone to sit there. I almost stood up and did a Vanna White – “exit row seat available <<points at empty seat>>”! The plane was nearly full and still, that seat stayed unoccupied. Then, I saw the guy coming up the aisle! Oh noes! Luckily, just at that moment a man asked if the middle seat was available and took it. I’m sure that guy with his C boarding pass scoring an exit row seat had the same thought I did: “Sweet!” My friend ended up getting the aisle seat one row in front of me! Which is pretty lucky for him, since he was the last to board. He sat with a couple of teenagers who’d left the middle seat open until someone wanted to sit there. He waved at me after he sat down.
The flight after that was blissfully uneventful. I did a little reading and then took a short nap. Well, there was a loud-talking family behind me, but after a while, they quieted down for the most part. And the best news – we landed a full 20 minutes early!
Of course, it took a really long time for the luggage to come out, so I lost those 20 minutes right away. Luckily, I was only headed to the resort to unpack and hop into bed, so no worries. Once I collected my bag (which wasn’t easy, what with trying my hardest to lurk in the shadows to avoid my friend), I headed for DME.
I walked right onto a waiting bus and after about 5 minutes or so, we were on our way. We stopped at Pop, then CBR and I was the third stop. After I got off, the bus made one more stop at the YC. I collected my suitcase from under the bus, tipped the driver and headed in. I purposely hadn’t done online check in, because I had two reservations and I didn’t want to change rooms. When I checked in, I made sure to note to the CM that I was staying, but just had another reservation. She acknowledged me, but in the end did nothing, because I had to jump through some hoops the next day. But she was nice, so there’s that.
I got my room and found that it was all the way at the end of the hotel. Yikes! As I walked, I started to think maybe I should switch to another room in the morning. I ended up being in a room literally two doors from the end of the hotel! As I stepped inside, I said to myself, “yup, I’m changing rooms in the morning.”
Other than being far away, the room was lovely. I’m glad I chose BWV because I like the look of the rooms better than those at the BCV. The only thing about the BWVs that I don’t like is how many of the rooms overlook the Swan and Dolphin resorts. I kind of have a love/hate relationship with those resorts. They’re so frickin’ huge, you can see them from everywhere on property, and frankly, from the outside, I think they’re hideous! Really, palm leaves painted on the building? You have to admit they look kinda tacky! I have convinced myself that the architect Michael Eisner hired to design them really secretly hated Eisner and the design of these two resorts is a kind of tribute to that.
I started by taking some photos.
Then I stepped out onto the balcony to check out my view. What I saw made me decide to stay right in that room, walking be darned! What I did not see was the Swolphin! And what did I see? My beloved Tower of Terror!
Yes, this will do nicely!
I decided I didn’t feel like unpacking, so I just pulled out my pajamas and hit the sack. I was heading the EMH in the morning (to visit my beloved Tower), so I set a wakeup call and turned in.
Up Next: My first taste of the F&WF – what will it be?
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
How exciting... another Princess Sharon TR... and just a few days before my trip... so now I'm even more anxious to leave! So sorry that mom couldn't join you, but I am glad that dad is doing well. Cracked up at weirdo dude. I sometimes attract those in airports... maybe there's just a lot of weirdos in airports! Anyhoo... sounds like you have lots of fun meets in store. Looking forward to following along!
I'm in! Can't wait to read about your adventures - especially the eats at F&WF and the chocolate event, which I wanted to do but didn't fit into our plans.
I've been waiting for this TR! So glad it's started, but could you finish before the 18th? That's when we leave for WDW and I'd like to see the end of this before we go. No pressure of course (and just kidding of course!!!). On with it!
YAY!!! So excited to hear about this trip, especially the chocolate part. Whew, you dodged a bullet on your flight. Can you imagine if your new BFF sat next to you?? Oh my, no, let's move on..... You were destined for that room with a view. Very nice!
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Tanya
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I'm cracking up already! I can't wait to read the rest of your trip report. I held my breath, I thought for sure that guy was going to end up next to you on the plane. Talk about lucky!
About This Page: 
I apologize for the delay. I don’t even have an excuse (aside from laziness). 
I have set a personal goal to get this TR done by Thanksgiving weekend. And before you ask, no, I don’t have a trip planned that weekend. 
Four days off with no place to go. 
DM was as surprised as you are that I didn’t try to squeeze in a trip. But I did promise her that I’d use that weekend to scan a ton of old family photos and post them to her Facebook account. That is, when I’m not stuffing my face 
or shopping! 
So let’s get crackin’! 
Luckily, I remembered within a few days. I called to book a studio for me and DM, and was able to get one! 
I know this ends up costing more in the long run, but you can’t talk logic to a crazy person! 
I didn’t choose this TR title accidentally! 
) so I could plan to meet up with as many PPers as I could. As a sneak preview, I made plans to meet up with (in order of appearance) Melanie (Principessa_di_Fata) and her DD and DM, Jill (Jillybean) and her family, Tanya (Eeyoresmom) and Scott (ZAX) and Vanessa, their DD, Heather (ilovedisney247) and Brandon, and Holly (mommapants) and her family. I also had planned to meet up with Linny (Linnynad) and her family, but I programmed her phone number into my phone incorrectly 
so I sent a text to some unknown person and not Linny. 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
Great start, sorry your mom could not go with you, hoping everything is ok with your dad. Lots of great meets and great food....I am scheduling my reading of your TR after I eat lunch (not that it will stop me from salivating over my keyboard as I look at all your pictures....lol)
I settled in with my iPod to wait for boarding to begin.
The whole time he’s boring me, I’m hoping that he has like a C boarding number so he won’t sit next to me on the plane. 
Then the plane filled more and more and more, and that dang middle seat stayed empty. 
I tried smiling at everyone invitingly to get someone, anyone to sit there. 
I almost stood up and did a Vanna White – “exit row seat available <<points at empty seat>>”! 
Then, I saw the guy coming up the aisle! Oh noes! 
Luckily, just at that moment a man asked if the middle seat was available and took it. 
I’m sure that guy with his C boarding pass scoring an exit row seat had the same thought I did: “Sweet!” 
My 
friend ended up getting the aisle seat one row in front of me! Which is pretty lucky for him, since he was the last to board. He sat with a couple of teenagers who’d left the middle seat open until someone wanted to sit there. He waved at me after he sat down. 
Aimee
PassPorter Guide Author
(and I hear ya about the Swolphin - I have never been a fan 
) I am so glad to hear that your dad is ok!
Holly: 
Whew, you dodged a bullet on your flight. Can you imagine if your new BFF sat next to you?? Oh my, no, let's move on..... You were destined for that room with a view. 
Linear Mode
