An Animal Kingdom State of Being with Cam and Fam COMPLETED 9/18 - Page 146 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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
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.
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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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I'm finally all caught up. You've got so many wonderful photos from this trip (though you always seem to get loads of wonderful photos). Stefanie's interactions with the characters are fun to watch through snapshots. Glad I got caught up before it was over, but it stinks that I have to wait for the surprise reveal!
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
I started reading this tr about 10 am. I'm finally all caught up and it's 432 pm. Considering I can't get out of bed really, it was great to stay occupied today. I love the giraffes. Have you been to fao Schwartz they have a huge one you can buy for the same price as a new Toyota. also, those statues in china, my dad had one in his home for years. He recently passed and we sold it for about 20 bucks at a yard sale. He was named The General and some of the grand kids wanted their picture with it before the lady loaded it up. I'm sure she thought we were crazy.
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I love this picture because my daughter's facial expression matches the Queen of Hearts exactly, and it was completely unintended!
I'm finally all caught up. You've got so many wonderful photos from this trip (though you always seem to get loads of wonderful photos). Stefanie's interactions with the characters are fun to watch through snapshots. Glad I got caught up before it was over, but it stinks that I have to wait for the surprise reveal!
Hopefully, I'll get to the reveal this weekend!
Quote:
Originally Posted by goofysdtr
Ooo! I like surprises! Hope it's a good one!
It was a good one for Stefanie!
Quote:
Originally Posted by EmilyJ
I started reading this tr about 10 am. I'm finally all caught up and it's 432 pm. Considering I can't get out of bed really, it was great to stay occupied today. I love the giraffes. Have you been to fao Schwartz they have a huge one you can buy for the same price as a new Toyota. also, those statues in china, my dad had one in his home for years. He recently passed and we sold it for about 20 bucks at a yard sale. He was named The General and some of the grand kids wanted their picture with it before the lady loaded it up. I'm sure she thought we were crazy.
I have been to FAO Schwartz in Chicago and saw that huge giraffe myself. Too pricey for me though. That is so neat about your dad having a Tomb Warrior.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DisneyKYFan
It is one of the shops that is behind Loveless Cafe on Hwy 101. (Sorry it took so long to respond...going back to catch up on the TR now! ).
We were now in search of a drink, but before we could find a cart, a huge gate between England and Canada opened up and we were invited to join a bunch of characters: Perla and Suzy, Chip and Dale, Daisy, Minnie, Mickey, Donald, and King Louie and Baloo. Stefanie was overwhelmed as she was in character heaven. A wonderful magical surprise for her (and us) in the midst of a very hot last day in the park! She managed to get time with all of them except King Louie and Baloo. She was escorted in to the special area by Perla and Suzy, whom Stefanie adores, though she dreams of the day she finally gets to meet Gus and Jaq.
She felt very special with Perla and Suzy showing her so much attention.
You can see she is looking away. It just so happens as she started to pose with the girl mice, she saw Donald.
Next up were her best buds, Chip and Dale.
This one makes me smile! She is so happy!
Always a kiss for her boys! XOXO
After her time with the chipmunks, we moved on to Daisy Duck.
Then it was time to chat with Minnie Mouse.
Having had a lovely visit with Minnie, our favorite girl mouse, we moved on to Mickey, the Big Cheese.
Stefanie asked Mickey why Goofy wasn’t here and he launched in to a fairly lengthy story through charades. Luke and I finally figured out the Goofy and Pluto had gone fishing. Now that was a magical conversation!
At this point the CMs began to herd us all back toward the gate, telling us autograph time was over and that we could spend more thime with some of the characters at Epcot Character Spot. But recall that Stefanie had seen Donald across the way when she was Perla and Suzy, and she very much wanted to show him her Donald plush. As the three of us began walking toward the gate, she jumped over to Donald in spite of us and the CMs, squealing look Donald I have you! And as a last bit of magic, Donald came over to her in spite of the CMs.
She didn’t get an autograph, but she didn’t care as she already had one, and more importantly, she got her Donald hug!
She waved goodbye to King Louie and Baloo as we departed through the gate and our magical surprise was complete. It had been very hot back there without any hint of a breeze, but Stefanie had been in her element.
Now we really needed a drink. We headed to Refreshment Port for two drinks with ice and a chocolate soft-serve cup of ice cream for me. Then we backed up to Canada where we found some shady seats under an umbrella to watch Off Kilter, where we enjoyed their set, singing along and tapping our feet. When the Celtic rock concert ended we’d had enough of the heat. Walking as much in the shade as possible, we made it to the bus stop where we waited about 15 – 20 minutes for an AKL bus.
Once back at Kidani and into the A/C, I took just a few more pictures while Luke and Stefanie commandeered two seats in the lounge. We took turns in the one-seater restrooms.
And then picture taking for this trip was officially over. We moved into the Community Hall where we watched Bruce Almighty until one of the CMs decided it was not kid appropriate. Stefanie colored. Just nice to be cool!
WOW! That WAS a cool surprise!! Have you ever had them do that before? I had no idea they opened those gates for character interactions!! What a PERFECT ending to your trip!!!
What a wonderful surprise getting to visit with all of those characters!! And so nice of Donald to take the time to listen to Stef, dispite the CMs trying to herd you out of the area. Sounds like a great ending to your trip to me!
What a wonderful surprise! Now that's some Disney Magic! I'm so happy Stefanie got to experience it! I love how well her highlights show up in the pictures too!
What a great last day! We have seen the characters come out before but never so many usually just 3 or 4. That is awesome. What a Magical way to end your final day!
I've never seen those gates open for anything other than special Food & Wine happenings. What an amazing last dose of Disney magic! I'm a big fan of the Cinderella mice also and would love to see Jaques and Gus-Gus in the parks.
What an awesome surprise! I was actually teary seeing the joy on Stefanie's face while she was interacting with all the characters. I am so glad that she was able to experience this Disney magic. I'm sure she will always remember this special day.
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Well, I was so very far behind!
I actually haven't been reading any trip reports for a couple of weeks for a couple of reasons. The main one - I have been too busy!
But now that I am all caught up, I find that I am sad. Sad that this magical trip is coming to a close. I am wondering, the last day or two, how is Stefanie handling the thought of leaving the magic of WDW and going home?
I just all of the beautiful pictures of the giraffes from your balcony! Isn't it amazing that you were there 2 days in a row at the right time! I would definitely frame many of those beautiful pictures!
I am so happy that you got to meet up with Amy! She is a sweetie!
Do you take a couple of empty bags with you for all of your great treasures??
Your meal at Teppan Edo looks and sounds so yummy! all of the great character interaction and pictures!
I am sure Stefanie was one happy princess!!
And such a magical surprise for Stefanie on her last day of this trip!
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Glad I got caught up before it was over, but it stinks that I have to wait for the surprise reveal! 
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also, those statues in china, my dad had one in his home for years. He recently passed and we sold it for about 20 bucks at a yard sale. He was named The General and some of the grand kids wanted their picture with it before the lady loaded it up. I'm sure she thought we were crazy.
She managed to get time with all of them except King Louie and Baloo. 
We moved into the Community Hall where we watched Bruce Almighty until one of the CMs decided it was not kid appropriate. Stefanie colored. Just nice to be cool! 
Have you ever had them do that before? I had no idea they opened those gates for character interactions!! What a PERFECT ending to your trip!!!
Our 3 princesses LOVE the RED SOX!!!!
all of the beautiful pictures of the giraffes from your balcony! Isn't it amazing that you were there 2 days in a row at the right time! I would definitely frame many of those beautiful pictures! 
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