Just Keep Swimming - Our First Disney Trip TR - COMPLETE 3/21!! - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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
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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.
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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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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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Posted above is my PTR with all my details and the journey to get to the World.
A quick summary:
Cast:
Becky (Age 23)
Zac (Age 28)
When: September 9th, 2012 - September 14th, 2012
Lodging: Port Orleans French Quarter - King Bed Room
Travel:
AirTran from PHL to MCO and back. Disney Transportation the rest of the way!
******
Here is how this trip report is going to work and why.
I will be posting updates mostly from work. They will be without pictures. That night I will do my best to post pictures from that day.
There is a very good reason for this. I can't access my pictures at work but by the time I get home I am too exhausted to post any updates.
I woke up before my alarm went off (was set for 7:30 AM) that Sunday. Just as predicted. I spent some time online and made a final update to my PTR. I figured I'd let Zac sleep in a little bit. What was a surprise was that he was already up when I went downstairs. He had even folded the couch back up. He said that the Disney bug had finally bit and he was really excited to go. Still, we were both in disbelief.
We packed our last minute things up, dressed in our matching Disney World shirts, and were ready at 9 AM for my parents to take us to the Philadelphia International Airport. It's about a thirty minute trip from my house. There wasn't much traffic and we made it in good time. My parents stopped at the curb and we got our luggage out of the trunk. I had checked in online earlier and payed for two checked bags so all we had to do was bring them to the counter inside.
We lined up at the AirTran counter and saw that almost everyone else there had yellow DME tags on their luggage. I felt a sort of bond with them. I even saw a few that were going to PORFQ. Checking our bags was a cinch and we were quickly off to go through security. The line wasn't bad considering how big the airport is. The line tends to be huge in Philly. I always get nervous about security. I feel like I'm being rushed through the line and it always takes me forever to get all my stuff back together at the end. Getting through wasn't bad but sure enough I had trouble getting "repacked". My laptop decided to be a pain and not want to go back in its backpack. I guess that's punishment for getting a 17" laptop.
We walked to our gate which was at the very end of the terminal. We still had an hour to kill so we decided to have lunch. We got Chinese. Well, fast food version of Chinese. We also got a smoothie. I was almost too excited to eat but I managed to eat my share. We went back to the gate after eating and people watched. It wasn't long before we were called to board. We were in Zone 8 so we waited a bit. I didn't mind though because I like to people watch.
We got on the plane and found our seats. I got Duffy out of my carry on and let him look out the window. I told him he was going home to see Mickey. The flight was very smooth and I had fun looking out the window. I also got to watch a movie on my laptop without my battery dying. My favorite part of flying is landing because I like to watch the buildings getting bigger and bigger. Not to mention it means I'm almost at Disney!
We waited for most people to get off the plane before we decided to move. I hate fighting the crowds while trying to get stuff out of the overhead bins. We followed signs for DME and found out we had to take a shuttle across the airport. Zac was impressed. I thought it was cool but was already used to the idea from flying through Atlanta on previous trips.
Zac wanted to stop at the Harry Potter store but I said I wanted to get to Disney! XD I let him take some airport pictures at least. People weren't kidding when they said DME is on the other side of the world. It really is! But the staff was very helpful in directing us and one even mentioned my Duffy.
It wasn't long before we got to board our bus. We actually rode on a Disney Cruise Line bus. Zac and I liked the porthole windows. We watched the video on the way there which was pretty much like watching the planning dvd from home. I was also on the lookout for the entrance gate. I think I might have squealed like a school girl when I saw it. Luckily, we were the first stop on the route and got dropped off at the front of French Quarter.
Part 2: You Ruined the Mickey Towel! (September 9th)
Part 2: You Ruined the Mickey Towel! (September 9th)
We gathered our things after getting off the bus. We had stored my carry ons under the bus. The resort was gorgeous. Zac and I just stood there for a couple minutes taking in the green architecture. We knew we'd love it here. Check in was easy as well. Especially since I already knew how the dining plan worked and they didn't have to explain it. The line wasn't bad either. We were second in the very short "online check in" line. The check in cast member even printing our our Hoop Dee Doo tickets for us and gave us a map to help us find our room. Turns out we were in Building One. I was a little nervous because it seemed far away. It wasn't too bad though. POFQ is a small resort. I think it only took us five minutes to get there if that.
I had requested a river view for our king bed room and it didn't disappoint. We were on the corner of the building. One window faced the parking lot but the other faced the river. We were also on the first floor which was nice. The room itself was really pretty. I loved the bed and the little table. I wish I had taken more pictures. Speaking of pictures, I was going to take one of the Mickey Towel on the bed when Zac took one of the "ears" and went to use it after washing his hands. I was on the phone with my Mom at the time telling her we got in safely. So I had to excuse myself to yell at him to put it back. He just shook his head like I was crazy.
I unpacked my carry ons and took a bit of a rest on the bed before Hoop Dee Doo. We relaxed for about an hour before our luggage arrived! I was surprised that it was so quick. I unpacked the rest of my things and stored my suitcase in the closet area of the bathroom. Zac decided to live out of his bags like he usually does. I appreciated the drawer space. We got ready and decided to head for the Magic Kingdom to catch a boat to Fort Wilderness.
The ride to Magic Kingdom was nice. I was a bit sad that we couldn't go in but I was also very excited (and hungry) for HDD. I felt the wait for the boat was a little long. We must have just missed one. But the cast members were nice. One was from England and this one passenger asked who his favorite James Bond was. I can't remember the answer but apparently Zac understood because he laughed. I liked riding on the boat and looking at all the plants and animals that were around. It's a lot different from New Jersey.
We were rather early for HDD. I think at least 45 minutes. But walking around that area of FW was fun. We got to talk to a cast member about her horse. I asked if they were doing haunted carriage rides and she said they weren't doing them this year but they might come back next year. We checked into HDD and I tried my hand at Hula Hoop. I was as bad as ever. I can't even get the hoop around me once. The kids were so much better than me!
It was a long wait to get in. Or at least the humidity made it seem that way. But it was so worth the wait! The inside of the place is really fun. The cast was very fun too. They saw we had table 13 and they laughed and took us there. It turned out to be front and center! Right smack dab against the stage and in the center. Talk about random Disney magic. A chef came over and talked to us about my vegetarian request. I'm technically not a vegetarian but neither Zac nor I eat ribs or fried chicken. The chef said he could make us mixed vegetables, pasta, and salmon. I was super excited about the salmon.
It wasn't long before the piano and banjo guys started playing. We enjoyed our salad and corn bread. Well, except for Zac picking out all the onions. He hates onions. Before we knew it they started the show. I was immediately engaged and so was Zac. It totally blew away our expectations. We loved the characters right away, especially the two comedians. We both agreed that the comedian girl reminded us of Tira from Sorcerer Hunters (a Japanese anime).
We got our dinner pretty quickly too. I was worried at first because it didn't come our right away. But that was because it was brought out separate. The salmon was tender and moist. It wasn't overcooked like it is at many places. The pasta was okay. Only because I know my Dad makes it much better. The vegetables were good but too salty for either of our tastes. We definitely loved the potatoes and corn. It was a lot to eat too. We didn't even come close to finishing any of it aside from the salmon.
The rest of the show was fantastic. I loved all the singing and dancing. The jokes weren't too corny. Or they were corny in a way that came off really well instead of groan-worthy. I definitely want to go back. The strawberry shortcake was delicious as well. We could barely finish it either. After dinner we took a bathroom break and headed to our resort bus. We decided on the way back to hit up Downtown Disney since it would still be open for another hour.
We were able to catch a bus right after getting off the one from Fort Wilderness. It took no time to get to the Marketplace and we looked through the different shops. I was amazing by the Once Upon a Toy store and the World of Disney store. I wanted everything I saw almost. I was good to be restrained though and settled on getting the Duffy book.
We walked around some more before heading back to the resort. It was nice walking through at night, especially with the lamp posts. We settled down quickly and were off to sleep.
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The flight was very smooth and I had fun looking out the window. I also got to watch a movie on my laptop without my battery dying. My favorite part of flying is landing because I like to watch the buildings getting bigger and bigger. Not to mention it means I'm almost at Disney!
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