Cruising for Practically Free…Yep..I said Free! - Page 14 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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:
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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 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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I never took any pictures today, so it is all from memory…so bear with me.
We had a very early flight, so sadly we had to be packed up and out the door fairly early. Off to the airport we went and we dropped off our rental car and checked our bags in. I believe the airport was pretty busy, but we moved fairly fast. Again, we have TSA pre-check, so even when lines are long, we usually get through fairly fast.
We found our gate and got some food for breakfast and settled in to wait. I believe we were on time, which was good as it seems the last few flights I have had delays.
As we got in line to get on the plane, people in line were talking about the heat of Florida. One gal said she couldn’t wait to get to Ohio where it would be cooler. A guy said to her “Oh no, it will be just as hot there.” The girl then replied….LOUDLY…”It’s Hot in Ohio?” So many people started to laugh. Um yes…it’s not the North Pole. This gal was visiting a friend in Ohio…and packed all long sleeves and sweaters. Did she not even look at a weather app? It had been in the 80’s and 90s with very high humidity most of the summer. Definitely not sweater weather.
I don’t know why people think Ohio is cold year round. Even when we got off the ship our porter was asking us about the weather and was surprised we had humidity.
I don’t remember anything big about the flight, so it must have been just normal. Every so often, Claire, who thought she was hilarious, would say in a high squeaky voice “It’s Hot in Ohio?” and then she would just giggle and laugh.
As we were starting to descent, a little kid started chanting over and over and over….”Are we in Ohio yet?” Mom says under her breath….”Someone ANSWER that kid!” hahaha. He just kept saying it over and over. Claire’s responds was…”It’s hot in Ohio?” Hahahaha.
Once we landed and got off the plane, we headed to the bathroom. As we were washing our hands I noticed Miss Sweater standing near us washing hers. Claire saw her and looked right at me and I gave her a warning glare. I knew she wanted to say it, but thank goodness she didn’t. As soon as we left Claire started laughing and said she really was holding back. However she didn’t hold back for about the next week and kept saying “It’s Hot in Ohio?” over and over and over at any chance she could.
We got our luggage and took the bus over to get the car and loaded up. We programed my sisters work address in since I had to pick up my laptop and other things I had left at her house and off we went.
Once there, Amanda gave us the tour of her work place (My Uncle owns it) and we chatted a bit, but it was time to get moving on.
Skip called and wondered if we were on our way home yet. I let him know that we were making our way there, but had stopped at Amanda’s work and would get a bite to eat along the way. There were grumbles about us taking so long to get home…..which I thought was stupid. There is no time limit from the time I land till the time we pull in the driveway. I was a little irritated.
We stopped off for some lunch and then made the drive home. I was so tired and it was nice to be home, but of course I started to unpack and get the laundry going.
And that was the end of our vacation! It seemed so short, but we had so much fun and it didn’t cost much out of pocket at all!
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Glad the flight home went well and thanks for sharing this TR as I enjoyed your latest Florida adventure! Too funny with the Ohio comment as it's the middle of July and not January!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Oh my goodness, that's classic about it being hot in Ohio! Even I know that!
You had a wonderful trip and so cheaply as well!
I know. I thought it was hilarious....and obviously Claire did too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey
Great ending to a fabulous TR! I hope it wasn't hot in Ohio when you got home !
I've really enjoyed all of your TRs over the years, and I really hope that you will continue to post them in the new FB group!
It was like in the 90s for the next 2 weeks. hahaha.
I will try, but I haven't been over to check out how easy it is for writing. Since I write everything in word and insert my picture links right in there I have a feeling its not going to be easy for me to post a report on facebook.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperDave
Glad the flight home went well and thanks for sharing this TR as I enjoyed your latest Florida adventure! Too funny with the Ohio comment as it's the middle of July and not January!
As the title says….we cruised for practically free. Our whole trip for me was very little out of pocket.
The way it worked for me would not work for others, but there are ways to “earn” free gift cards to help pay for vacations.
I had paid for our portion of the cruise with gift cards and also the Disney hotel and tickets. That was a huge chunk of the cost.
I really didn’t have a lot of out of pocket expenses and my food wasn’t much in the end either as my Mom kept paying for our meals.
I have picked right up when I got back home to earn more cards and also buying some when I have extra money. I have over $1000 saved right now, so I’m doing pretty good and the plan is to sail in the next few months for my birthday.
This cruise was short, but oh so much fun! Whenever I travel with J and gang, it’s a good time. P is also is so much fun! And I got meet more daughters and they were all so nice. Honestly, I think if I cruise without J next time…it will feel odd. My last 2 have been with her…..as have my last 2 WDW visits.
I am so glad we checked out Toy Story Land. We got to see firsthand how the land looks and pros and cons to it. I can’t wait for Galaxy’s Edge to open, but I know the crowds will be insane too.
I have learned over the last few trips I just can’t go like I used to and need more resting time. Part might be the heat too. I always forget how that can slow me down….but I also kind of need more sleep now too. A nap does wonders!\
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I will try, but I haven't been over to check out how easy it is for writing. Since I write everything in word and insert my picture links right in there I have a feeling its not going to be easy for me to post a report on facebook.
It's a totally different process. There's less work up front - i.e. loading your photos into an online account, then finding all the links. Instead, you just manually insert the photos, admittedly one at a time, so some of your more photo heavy instalments, would take time. It's now more work when you post, as opposed to beforehand, if that makes sense?
Your TR's always put a smile on my face Jenn and I will miss reading them on PP. I hope you continue to write them on Facebook but I also follow you on the DisBoards. The energy level that you have always amazes me because you do seem to be on the go for every moment of a land/sea trip. I find that a little down time helps as I get older but I do enjoy the feeling of accomplishing a lot when we're at Disney. Your honesty and sense of humor in your writing has always been so entertaining. Thanks again for sharing your memories with us! I hope to meet you in either NYC or WDW one day! I'm going to private message you my cell phone number just in case we get to meet up in the future!
Great wrap up! Thanks for sharing this great TR! If FB doesn't work out for you, I will look for your TRs on disboards. I do have an account there, and browse their forums occasionally, but it's not Passporter .
It's a totally different process. There's less work up front - i.e. loading your photos into an online account, then finding all the links. Instead, you just manually insert the photos, admittedly one at a time, so some of your more photo heavy instalments, would take time. It's now more work when you post, as opposed to beforehand, if that makes sense?
I think for me it might not work. I load all the pics as I edit immediately to Flickr...then I write in word and insert those links. For me manually inserting/uploading pics sounds like a nightmare. LOL. But we'll see how things eventually go.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lindawdw
Your TR's always put a smile on my face Jenn and I will miss reading them on PP. I hope you continue to write them on Facebook but I also follow you on the DisBoards. The energy level that you have always amazes me because you do seem to be on the go for every moment of a land/sea trip. I find that a little down time helps as I get older but I do enjoy the feeling of accomplishing a lot when we're at Disney. Your honesty and sense of humor in your writing has always been so entertaining. Thanks again for sharing your memories with us! I hope to meet you in either NYC or WDW one day! I'm going to private message you my cell phone number just in case we get to meet up in the future!
Gosh thanks!
I don't have a trip scheduled but my guess is either next year or the year after we'll be making the trek back to NYC. If I had the money, I would go yearly. Thanksgiving in NYC is soooo much better.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey
Great wrap up! Thanks for sharing this great TR! If FB doesn't work out for you, I will look for your TRs on disboards. I do have an account there, and browse their forums occasionally, but it's not Passporter .
Yep...I'll probably keep posting there too. I'm antsy for a trip now. hahaha. Hopefully soon.
I think for me it might not work. I load all the pics as I edit immediately to Flickr...then I write in word and insert those links. For me manually inserting/uploading pics sounds like a nightmare. LOL. But we'll see how things eventually go
I hear you, but it's just spending time at a different point with the photos, as you don't have to insert the links into the Word documents, just note which photos you want to include.
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I hope to meet you in either NYC or WDW one day! I'm going to private message you my cell phone number just in case we get to meet up in the future!
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