The no plans, no family , Florida extravaganza - Page 12 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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 Walt Disney World Resort (Florida) > Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip 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 02-09-2014, 01:58 PM   #166
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
Have a wonderful time with Melanie, Meri and Nadine!
__________________

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 02-09-2014, 05:04 PM   #167
KMB733
PassPorter Guide

Community Rank:
Legend Extraordinaire
 
KMB733's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ballston Lake, NY
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 46,162

Post Thanks / Like
Glad you arrived safely!! Hope you're enjoying your trip!!
__________________
Kathy
PassPorter Co-Guide for: Making More Magic
My Countdown Counting down to: Christmas
Merry Christmas
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsWDW June 1979, WDW 1985, WDW 1987, WDW Oct 2003, WDW March 2004, WDW Oct 2004, WDW Sept 2005--Pop Century , WDW Nov 2006--Pop Century, WDW Jan 2007--Pop Century, WDW Nov/Dec 2009--Pop Century, DLR Oct 2011, WDW Dec 2014
KMB733 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2014, 06:20 PM   #168
lauriep
Community Rank: Legend
 
lauriep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 15,377

Post Thanks / Like
So glad Jacqueline is properly impressed with everything! It will be wonderful to finally meet you tomorrow.
__________________
lauriep is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2014, 07:27 PM   #169
Thomhazel
Community Rank: Globetrotter
 
Thomhazel's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 3,288

Post Thanks / Like
What a wonderful first day. We were up at 6am, wide awake a jet lag special. We showered and went out to Perkins for breakfast then off to the MK. We arrived at the MK at 10am and went straight and booked 3 FP+ slots with about a 2 minute wait. We had BTMRR! Jungle cruise and Space Mountain. As we only had an hour before going to meet with Melanie and crew we decided to do soe. Shopping. We went and bought the beauty and the beast print I didn't manage to buy in August for my new house the browsed around Arribas brothers for a while. We then wandered around new fantasyland and went back to the park entrance via tomorrow land. There was a boat waiting so we took the boat straight over to the Polynesian and it was lovely to see Melanie, Meri and ?Nadine. We got some coffees and Meri opened her birthday present while Jacqueline and Nadine were soon lost talking about Barcelona while I chatted to Melanie. All too soon it was time to say goodbye, they left to get so e lunch and we took the monorail back to the MK. We did some more shopping. I bought a glass Christmas ornament as a gift or more an omen for Gemma. We will be making an offer to buy a flat for her in Glasgow tomorrow so I wanted to buy it as a sign of faith we will manage to buy this flat for her. I also replaced her Mickey shoes which have gone done and Jacqueline and I bought some tiaras to wear tonight. Jacqueline also bought some hair baubles for her friends little girls ( who is incidentally the person who bought the house we just sold in Aberdeen). We then went for our FP on BTMRR we saw the hall of presidents and Jacqueline bought a goofy mug for her boyfriend. We did jungle cruise and the people mover. It was then time for our ADR at BOG. Food was lovely, I had French onion soup and the scallops and shrimp pie. We also had a glass of rose and some coffee. I loved the food but I still feel the atmosphere in There is similar to a school canteen it is very loud and the tables are so close together. After dinner we were both exhausted so we drove back to the hotel. Early night tonight as we are meeting Laurie at 8:45 am tomorrow.
__________________
Scottish Hogmanay (with a stolen Picture)

My Countdown Counting down to: WDW, Disney Dream and Universal
Chillin at disney
Thomhazel is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2014, 08:47 PM   #170
cubfancolleen
Community Rank: Explorer
 
cubfancolleen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Reston, Virginia
Concierge Level: 8
Posts: 11,858

Post Thanks / Like
Sounds like a full day - especially with jet lag!
I had lunch at BoG and had a hard time imagining it as a fine dining spot for dinner for exactly the reasons you mention.
__________________
<img src=http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h427/cmclain823/Vancouver%20and%20Alaska%202015/45127cbc-0ef5-4915-8c6d-5809f3bb6afe.jpg border=0 alt= />[
Check out my NEW Trip Report: http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...d.php?t=300278
My Countdown Counting down to: Melekalikimaka - our Hawaiian Christmas
Aloha....back to reality, and a new countdown
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsDisneyLand too many times to count; DisneyWorld: ('82; '94; '00; '04; '05; '08 - twice!; '10;'11 - twice; '13; '14, '15, '17); DCL (all 4 ships): ('00, '05, '06, '10, '11, '13, '15, '17); DVC Hilton Head Resort :D ('06, '07, '08, '09, '10, '11, '12, '13 - twice, '15, '16, '17, ‘18)
cubfancolleen is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2014, 09:23 PM   #171
lfredsbo
PassPorter Guide

Community Rank: Explorer
 
lfredsbo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Mystic, CT
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 7,713

Post Thanks / Like
Sounds like a great day, but exhausting with the jet lag. Glad you were able to meet up with Mel and gang. And very jealous you are meeting up with Laurie tomorrow! Have a great day!
__________________


Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
My Countdown Counting down to: Annual Trip Home!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsCSR April 2016; BCV August 2015; SSR April 2015; AKL & AoA June/July 2014; POP September 2013; POP August 2013; AKL & BLT June/July 2013; POR December 2012; SSR October 2012; SSR July 2011; BWV May 2011; SSR July/Aug 2010; WL & SSR July 2009; SSR July 2008; OKW August 2007; OKW May 2007; SSR October 2006; SSR June 2006; OKW December 2005; CS September 2005; OKW July 2005; SSR October 2004; POP June 2004; ASMV April 2004; BWV October 2003
lfredsbo is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2014, 10:42 PM   #172
Cam22
Batman's Gal/Mickey's Pal
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
Cam22's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Owensboro, KY USA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 95,254

Post Thanks / Like
Sounds like a fun, full day with some great purchases. So glad you were able to find and buy the Beauty and Beast piece you wanted for the new house. Meeting fellow PPers is such a highlight on trips.
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsAKL Jambo April/May 2017--SSR/OKW Sept/Oct 2016 --AKL Kidani May 2016 -- Polynesian Village Resort May 2015 -- OKW/Magic December 2014 -- AKL Jambo House October 2014 -- VWL May 2014--SSR October 2013--AKL/Kidani June 2013--CBR October 2012--BWI June 2012--AKV Jambo House/Kidani Village June 2011 -- November 2010 Beach Club -- June 2010 Beach Club -- October 2009 CBR and Gaylord Palms -- June 2009 AKV/Kidani Village -- June 2008 VWL --June 2007 OKW--June 2006 Disney Wonder/SSR -- June 2005 SSR -- June 2004 VWL -- June 2003 AKL -- August 1997 Off Property -- March 1980 Cocoa Beach
Cam22 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2014, 01:44 AM   #173
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
Sounds like a great day! I hope everything goes through fine with Gemma's flat.
__________________

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 02-10-2014, 09:56 AM   #174
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
Glad you've made it and are having a great time!
__________________
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 02-10-2014, 10:50 AM   #175
Huntermom
Community Rank: Explorer
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Northern New England
Posts: 12,249

Post Thanks / Like
I've been enjoying your trip report and admiring your ability to "do it all." Hope you have a fund vacation and find some time to relax.
__________________

Charlie
Huntermom is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2014, 02:27 PM   #176
KMB733
PassPorter Guide

Community Rank:
Legend Extraordinaire
 
KMB733's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ballston Lake, NY
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 46,162

Post Thanks / Like
Sounds like you had a great first day!
__________________
Kathy
PassPorter Co-Guide for: Making More Magic
My Countdown Counting down to: Christmas
Merry Christmas
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsWDW June 1979, WDW 1985, WDW 1987, WDW Oct 2003, WDW March 2004, WDW Oct 2004, WDW Sept 2005--Pop Century , WDW Nov 2006--Pop Century, WDW Jan 2007--Pop Century, WDW Nov/Dec 2009--Pop Century, DLR Oct 2011, WDW Dec 2014
KMB733 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2014, 03:18 PM   #177
Thomhazel
Community Rank: Globetrotter
 
Thomhazel's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 3,288

Post Thanks / Like
Phew what a morning. I was wide awake by 4am, our solicitors needed a little more information before she out in our first low offer for the flat we want for
Gemma. After that we dozed until 6 am then we got up and showered. I went down to the market to get milk while Jacqueline out the coffee on. When I got back we started talking then I suddenly looked towards the coffee machine and noticed none of it had made it into the pot it was all leaking out the side all over the dressing table. We quickly cleaned it up and went back to the market place to buy ore made coffee. We had a muffin and coffee on the balcony before leaving to meet Laurie. We found Laurie easily at AK entrance at 8:45 and wandered to the train to Rafikis planet watch. Laurie suggested we do the Kilmanjano safaris first which we did quickly. As we came off I got an iMessage from Graeme informing me our low offer had been rejected on the flat (which we expected) and they had countered with a price £5000 more. Graeme decided to offer £3000. Ore but authorised the solicitor to go the full £5000 if he second offer was rejected. That done we set off to rejoin Laurie at the vets window. There was a procedure this morning on a wallaby. It was just a routine examination but it was very interesting to see. He was put to sleep fully examined and then he gradually woke back up.

After we left Laurie Jacqueline and I went Tusker House for lunch and had a lovely lunch as well as got photos with Micky, Donald, daisy and goofy. No sign of my favorite Minnie though. Just as we were finishing we got the news that our second offer on Gemma's flat had been accepted. So subject to survey we have a roof over Gemma's head while we are in Brisbane.

We continued on the jungle trek and saw the tigers and then we did Kali River rapids. I had Jacqueline well warned that we would get totally soaked and would want to leave the park afterwards. Well we didn't get that wet. On the way out I bought a Mickey and Minnie print. They are in a safari cart in from of Mount Everest. Another one for me new house.

We are now back at the hotel having some downtime before Narcooses tonight. Really looking forward to that.
__________________
Scottish Hogmanay (with a stolen Picture)

My Countdown Counting down to: WDW, Disney Dream and Universal
Chillin at disney
Thomhazel is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2014, 03:25 PM   #178
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
Oh thank goodness the offer was finally accepted. As I was reading this, I was having memories of your last trip with the phone calls from home. I hope that's the last bit of daily life you have to deal with while you're away.
__________________

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 02-10-2014, 03:39 PM   #179
Thomhazel
Community Rank: Globetrotter
 
Thomhazel's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 3,288

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp View Post
Oh thank goodness the offer was finally accepted. As I was reading this, I was having memories of your last trip with the phone calls from home. I hope that's the last bit of daily life you have to deal with while you're away.
Well we bought our house in Fife from Florida last August, sold our house in Aberdeen from Brisbane so this wasn't too bad. To be honest I put Graeme in control and he got it for a better price than I would have as I knew she really wanted it and would have gone higher quicker to secure it. He kept his cool and did better. I did say to him you did really well for your first negotiation (I normally do this stuff). He replied what do you mean I negotiate with you every day. It wasn't any real hassle for me I was just a spectator really
__________________
Scottish Hogmanay (with a stolen Picture)

My Countdown Counting down to: WDW, Disney Dream and Universal
Chillin at disney
Thomhazel is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2014, 03:58 PM   #180
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
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomhazel View Post
Well we bought our house in Fife from Florida last August, sold our house in Aberdeen from Brisbane so this wasn't too bad. To be honest I put Graeme in control and he got it for a better price than I would have as I knew she really wanted it and would have gone higher quicker to secure it. He kept his cool and did better. I did say to him you did really well for your first negotiation (I normally do this stuff). He replied what do you mean I negotiate with you every day.
Oh what a classic line that is!
__________________

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
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 05:04 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