Yes, CLQ-1, there is a Santa Claus - Updated 1/13 COMPLETE!! - Page 12 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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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Sharon, Eileen and I were due at the Illuminations Dessert Party shortly ( Sara!) and Lesley was due at the PP meet, so we finally pulled ourselves away from the lounge and headed out.
As soon as I stuck my toe outside, I realized that my thin t-shirt and jacket weren’t going to cut it tonight, so I veered off from the group at the quiet pool and took the short cut up to our room to grab my trusty “Furman” sweatshirt (which you will see in many, many pictures when it was chilly ). Aaaah, that made all the difference in the world. We southerners don’t own a lot of heavy wool clothing, so we just have to layer our cotton as much as possible!
Maddie would be asleep by now, but I decided to call and talk with Thom and Mary Devall on my walk to Epcot. The first thing that Mary Devall asked me was “Where are you?” I simply answered “With Ms. Eileen” and then quickly asked her what she wanted me to bring her. She didn’t surprise me with a simple answer of “Chocolate.”
When I reached the IG, I said goodbye to her and was quickly through the gates and reunited with the ladies. We did get to meet skateycat who was scheduled to go on a cruise and was trying to figure out how the process worked. Eileen sent her down to talk to a CM while the three of us headed to England. We tried to check in with some CM’s there but they told us that we had to check in back at the IG although a CM there had told Eileen something different. They radioed ahead to tell them that we were coming back. Once there, Eileen managed to get everything straightened out and we were soon proudly wearing our VIP passes.
The three of us were still chatting away with the MEI reps (imagine that ) when it was time for the group to move on to England so . . . we were pretty much bringing up the rear! The people ahead of us filled the lower tier right on the water, so we stayed on the upper tier for the moment. There was a beautiful spread of desserts - - brownies, cookies, rice krispie treats, but I was absolutely stuffed from our 2 hours in the lounge! We each took a turn looking at the food, but Eileen was the only one to actually select a few things and I’m pretty sure that she only took one bite of that (I'm sure that the voice of Karen was in her head going "What? All of this yummy food and you're not going to eat a thing? ). Sharon and I each had a hot chocolate for warmth, but Eileen even passed on that (she asked for water but when the CM said that he only had hot water, she passed ).
We chatted until just a few minutes before Illuminations started and then we decided to see if there was any room left on the lower tier. No one was standing on the walkway down to the lower tier so we decided to park ourselves right there since it was slightly higher and gave us a perfect view! Just when Illuminations was starting, I called Karen so that she could at least listen to the first few minutes with us.
When you watch Illuminations with Eileen, it is hard to keep your eyes off of her. Every single thing she is feeling is right there and you just want to give her a big the entire time. This moment was one of my favorite of the trip - - watching this emotion packed show with Sharon and Eileen and having Karen on the phone was about as close to perfect as it gets (we all know that “perfect” would have been having Karen actually there ).
As soon as the last of the fireworks faded into the night sky, we thanked our hosts and quickly made our way over to Italy for the PP meet. And there we found . . . no one! Eileen turned to her handy dandy phone and soon found out that everyone had already moved on to Germany. And there we found . . . every one . . . and they were all eating decadent looking desserts! If you didn’t have sugar shock on this night, it was no one’s fault except your own!
I saw some familiar faces, but this was also when I was finally able to meet Heather (ILoveDisney247) and Aimee (mousestruck). I was just tickled pink to meet Heather since I have so enjoyed her trip reports and her witty commentaries! Plus she lives in New Orleans which is one of my all time favorite cities so I knew she had to be good people! She was every bit as sweet and warm (with just the right amount of snarky thrown in for good measure ) as I had imagined she would be!
And I knew who Aimee was right away by the description of her sig picture! Eileen and Sharon described her by “her kids are back-to-back and smiling.” Okay, got it! I had been admiring that picture for some time because I have always thought that her daughter has the most beautiful bone structure! Plus Aimee always says very sweet things in my trip reports so of course I was going to love her!
I did finally get to see Jennifer, Dave and Alex Marx in person too, so I was just thrilled. I have to admit that I was a bit too shy to introduce myself - - I was a bit afraid that I would say something totally off the wall and embarrass myself. I promise to do better next year! Maybe I’ll have Eileen introduce me to them to lessen my chances of sticking my foot in my mouth.
Anyhoo . . . it was like a big old PP lovefest, but soon we were headed for the American Adventure which I hadn’t seen in years and years and years. While we were waiting, I was able to meet Marie (CRCrazy), her husband and her daughter. The funny thing is that I recognized her beautiful daughter right off from the pictures that Marie posts! They are such a sweet family!
Soon we were headed up for the show and I found myself sitting between Larry and Lesley. The rest of the troublemakers were sitting behind us, I believe. I truly enjoyed this show and even though I was warm, full, and slightly tanked up on wine, I didn’t even think of nodding off. I knew that it had been a long time since I had seen this show when I noticed that the events surrounding 9/11 had been added. That was definitely new for me.
The thing that touched me the most was when I saw Lesley visibly react to the 9/11 scenes out the corner of my eye. I don’t mean that she broke down in tears, but her body ever so gently moved in reaction to this dark chapter in our lives. I realized at that point why Jennifer and Dave had selected this attraction for us to see together - - I think we often forget our very own America.
After the show and a group picture, several of us decided to ride the Gran Fiesta. I thought I would crack up when the female CM assigning rows at the ride saw our big group coming. Her face just fell because she just knew that she was moments from having her area clean and ready to close. Foiled again!
Despite the not so grand welcome, we filled an entire boat ourselves and had a fantastic ride! The restaurant was just closing, so when I yelled asking them to thrown down some chips and salsa I received zero response. Oh, the nerve! Ms. Eileen especially enjoyed sharing Donald’s naughty bits and we enjoyed pointing and giggling!
When we came to the end of our ride, we were behind several empty boats. Instead of sending the empty boats immediately on their way, Ms. Personality was taking the time to clean out every single row. We probably sat there at least five minutes waiting for her to do something that she could have easily done later. When we finally made it to the exit, she looked at us once again with disdain and shot out a not-so-happiest-place-in-the-world “Adios.” If anything though, she added to our glee! Nothing was bringing us down on this night!
We walked around to the gateway to FW with ideas of making Soarin’ our last ride of the night, but someone in our party (Sharon) declared that she was tired and going back to the hotel. This person (Sharon) apparently thought that getting up before dawn was a good excuse for being tired. Even though I had slept until almost 8 a.m. that morning, I immediately agreed to go back with her. Eileen didn’t want to be tripping over us in the dark, so she decided to come along too. And Larry was either being a gentleman to walk us back or he was tired too (I’m choosing to believe the gentleman part ), so our little foursome waved to the late night Soarin’ riders and took off for IG.
We said goodnight to Larry (or Bob according to Sharon (or was it Karen) ) at the quiet pool and then we were quickly in bed. Since Sharon and I both sleep like the dead, we were immediately deemed as sleep partners - - I have never met someone who moves as little as I do sleeping - - it’s a dream, I tell ya! We both had to declare how many pillows that we needed and then donate the rest to Eileen who slept by herself . . . along with about 8 or 9 pillows.
I think I was before my head hit my two allotted pillows.
Fabulous update! Sounds like it was a perfect evening.
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The first thing that Mary Devall asked me was “Where are you?” I simply answered “With Ms. Eileen”
So... when they **eventually** find out where you were, they will turn their anger and disappointment ON ME!!
(That was smart, Jill.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jillybean
Eileen managed to get everything straightened out and we were soon proudly wearing our VIP passes.
Oh... was I... uh... being obvious about my VIP pride. ( )
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jillybean
We each took a turn looking at the food, but Eileen was the only one to actually select a few things and I’m pretty sure that she only took one bite of that (I'm sure that the voice of Karen was in her head going "What? All of this yummy food and you're not going to eat a thing? ).
Ab-so-flippin-lutely... I could basically hear a constant "inner harangue" from Karen that whole trip. But I honestly I didn't mind -- at least she was sorta there with us.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jillybean
When you watch Illuminations with Eileen, it is hard to keep your eyes off of her. Every single thing she is feeling is right there and you just want to give her a big the entire time.
Sheesh... I gotta buy me a poker face for the fireworks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jillybean
This moment was one of my favorite of the trip - - watching this emotion packed show with Sharon and Eileen and having Karen on the phone was about as close to perfect as it gets (we all know that “perfect” would have been having Karen actually there ).
That was lovely. I'm glad you made that call 'cause, if I'd done it, I'd've been bawling worse than usual just hearing Karen's voice at that moment.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jillybean
I did finally get to see Jennifer, Dave and Alex Marx in person too, so I was just thrilled. I have to admit that I was a bit too shy to introduce myself - - I was a bit afraid that I would say something totally off the wall and embarrass myself. I promise to do better next year! Maybe I’ll have Eileen introduce me to them to lessen my chances of sticking my foot in my mouth.
Hey, once you get the verbal diarrhea over with during that first meeting, it's totally easy to greet Jennifer and Dave warmly without fear of gushing and tears (like I did the first time *I* met them. )
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jillybean
I truly enjoyed this show and even though I was warm, full, and slightly tanked up on wine, I didn’t even think of nodding off.
That's funny! I was slightly tanked on wine and it had everything to do with the fact that I was thinking of nodding off.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jillybean
Despite the not so grand welcome, we filled an entire boat ourselves and had a fantastic ride! The restaurant was just closing, so when I yelled asking them to thrown down some chips and salsa I received zero response. Oh, the nerve!
Yeah... what were they thinking?! With all that walking to Mexico, I think I may have found a pocket of room in my gullet for some chips! Throw 'em down... throw 'em down!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jillybean
When we finally made it to the exit, she looked at us once again with disdain and shot out a not-so-happiest-place-in-the-world “Adios.” If anything though, she added to our glee! Nothing was bringing us down on this night!
I think that CM was mucho triste.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jillybean
We both had to declare how many pillows that we needed and then donate the rest to Eileen who slept by herself . . . along with about 8 or 9 pillows.
I'd like to have it known that it was only 6 pillows... but who's counting.
Eileen
Fantastic update! Love all the food offerings for you guys. Good work taking advantage of that! And the evening filled with friends, more food, and fun sounded perfect. Love the Gran Fiesta CM, I'd love to just say to her, "have a magical night!"
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What a nice update Jill! Loved the story about MD asking where you are!!! (If she only knew) Sounds like a nice evening in Epcot getting to meet lots of PP friends and enjoying the comraderie of friends. You're so lucky that you can fall asleep that easily at night. I would have been up for hours after having such an exciting evening. Can't wait for more.
The thing that touched me the most was when I saw Lesley visibly react to the 9/11 scenes out the corner of my eye. I don’t mean that she broke down in tears, but her body ever so gently moved in reaction to this dark chapter in our lives. I realized at that point why Jennifer and Dave had selected this attraction for us to see together - - I think we often forget our very own America.
I just this attraction, but it was the first time I'd seen it since the updates. When they showed the scenes from 9/11 for some reason it just hit me and my and flew up to my heart and a tear slipped down my cheek.
It was a wonderful evening. Watching Illuminations with other PPers, listening to them sing along (Larry and Sara), the PPer 10th Anniverary meet, walking around WS with friends in an almost empty park enjoying the atmosphere, laughing at Donald in Gran Adventure...all of it was magical.
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Sara!) and Lesley was due at the PP meet, so we finally pulled ourselves away from the lounge and headed out. 
). Aaaah, that made all the difference in the world. We southerners don’t own a lot of heavy wool clothing, so we just have to layer our cotton as much as possible! 
I simply answered “With Ms. Eileen” and then quickly asked her what she wanted me to bring her. She didn’t surprise me with a simple answer of “Chocolate.” 
They radioed ahead to tell them that we were coming back. Once there, Eileen managed to get everything straightened out and we were soon proudly wearing our VIP passes.
) when it was time for the group to move on to England so . . . we were pretty much bringing up the rear! 
We each took a turn looking at the food, but Eileen was the only one to actually select a few things and I’m pretty sure that she only took one bite of that (I'm sure that the voice of Karen was in her head going "What? All of this yummy food and you're not going to eat a thing? 
Just when Illuminations was starting, I called Karen so that she could at least listen to the first few minutes with us. 
the entire time. This moment was one of my favorite of the trip - - watching this emotion packed show with Sharon and Eileen and having Karen on the phone was about as close to perfect as it gets (we all know that “perfect” would have been having Karen actually there 
Eileen turned to her handy dandy phone and soon found out that everyone had already moved on to Germany. And there we found . . . every one . . . 
- - I was a bit afraid that I would say something totally off the wall and embarrass myself. I promise to do better next year! Maybe I’ll have Eileen introduce me to them to lessen my chances of sticking my foot in my mouth. 
I knew that it had been a long time since I had seen this show when I noticed that the events surrounding 9/11 had been added. That was definitely new for me. 
because she just knew that she was moments from having her area clean and ready to close. Foiled again! 
to the late night Soarin’ riders and took off for IG. 
before my head hit my two allotted pillows.
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