The happiest place on Earth for 28. (TR) - Page 15 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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!
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.
I had forgotten until I looked at my pictures again that I saw this lady on my way to the performance.
As I found my seat, this was on the screen.
DD's point of view.
After I left them in toon town close to Minnies house, the CM led us back to the building we were at yesterday and had us sit on the risers that were outside of it. As we walked there Goofy was in the same place and greeted us. We had to sit on the risers for awhile and the sun was out and it was getting hot. The CM said we were waiting for the dressing rooms to clear. Finally, we went in the building, there was a long hallway painted with blue trim with vending machines, Disney music was playing and there were cute people walking by us. The girls dressing room was on the left and it had benches, a large mirror covering one wall, coatracks, and bathrooms. I was getting dressed and had gotten to my socks but these wouldn't fit no matter what I did. We were supposed to be dressed in all black including socks or hose. I texted mom, she could do nothing but said I should ask if anyone else had an extra pair. (Mom later figured out that instead of being dad's dress socks they were his compression socks) One of my friends did have an extra pair of socks that she let me borrow. The CM led us back out to the risers and we had to sit for about 20 minutes in the sun wearing all black, some of us were getting sweaty. Before we left the CM took a group photo which is hanging at my school, then she led us through this weird ganky hallway to another building that had electrically looking things on shelves and racks of clothes in those zippered bags. We were talking about what clothes were in those bags, maybe one of them held Cinderellas ball gown...?
There was glass in part of the wall in the hallway we walked and we could see offices with people in them. There were Disney movie posters hanging on the walls and I saw a vintage Mickey poster. Suddenly we were outside again and between Fantasyland and Frontierland but in a construction zone. The ground was dirt and gravel, and there were construction workers. I could see Big Thunder to my right but there was a fence all around the way into the park except for the place where the CM was leading us had a gate. We had to stand there waiting for a bit while the CM left. Another CM in a suit came and talked to the teacher for a minute. It started to rain, and a couple of construction workers were arguing about paint colors. Finally we were led into the performance building.
We did okay, then the CM led us back to the dressing rooms but it was now getting muddy because it was still raining. After we changed we met by the risers again and the CM told us that we were now honorary Disney cast members they had a gift for us and she handed out Mickey ears with Disney performing arts stitched on them and a musical symbol. All of us thought the hats were very cool. We were led again down the path by Goofy who waved good by to us and through the door into toon town.
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
That's really a memorable experience.
I would want yo visit Fantasyland. I didn't have much time to wander around during my last visit. Can you recommend me some sights that are worth visiting there?
Loved getting your DD's view of the pre- and post- performance. The Mickey ears sound very cool.
The Mickey ears were awesome since only students who participate in the performing arts can get them and the kids understood that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PetMom
That's really a memorable experience.
I would want yo visit Fantasyland. I didn't have much time to wander around during my last visit. Can you recommend me some sights that are worth visiting there?
Fantasyland is a favorite since I was a kid, even though DD was 17, she wants to ride Dumbo and It's a Small World is her favorite ride because she collects dolls and she loves to spin so we always have to ride the tea cups. My favorite in Fantasyland is Mr. Toad's Wild Ride especially since it is now the only park that has that ride. Matterhorn loads on the Fantasyland side but it is not a 'kid' ride but fun anyway but usually has a very long line. To the left of the Matterhorn is Alice in Wonderland which we both enjoy. I usually do Fantasyland first thing in the morning because the lines there get very long, especially Peter Pan. We did manage to ride it this trip as you will see later and with the refurbishment it was pretty cool.
After meeting the girls in a rainy Toontown; and stopped to get rain gear we headed for California Adventure.
On main street, Karen is in the poncho on DD's left. DD is in purple carrying the umbrella.
The first order of business was lunch, we went to Smokejumpers Grill because teenagers want quick and cheap. Since it was raining everyone else was there too. There were no tables available inside so DD got one outside (had an umbrella) but everything was wet. Karen and I went inside to get in line. While we were waiting, CM's were trying to put out more tables and Karen snagged one . Both of us were trying to text or call DD to have her come inside but the phone signal wasn't working. Finally Karen was able to get through and DD was very happy to come inside.
I ordered a burger and DD got Chicken tenders, I don't remember Karen's order.
After lunch, I wanted to see how long line was at Soarin' and wasn't bad - I think 15 minutes so we hopped in line for that. The first time DD rode Soarin' in WDW (she was 12) and kept her eyes closed the whole ride. She didn't like that her feet dangled off the floor. But she had said that she would look this time. I had forgotten how much it seems like flying but everyone agree that it was an awesome ride. It was still raining...
So we headed for the Animation academy. We took Karen to Turtle Talk with Crush, I think I enjoyed it more than her. We also did the drawing lesson.
DD's busy being artistic.
Here's my drawing, I thought it was pretty good, at least better than the last time I attempted this class. DD's drawing? Not the character we were supposed to draw...
She is on the artistic side.
We ventured outside and it was starting to clear up but I felt cold due to the damp and hadn't gotten my souvenir yet so I took a shopping break. I found a Minnie jacket that fit and I liked, in fact I'm wearing it now.
Wow, that is a lot of rain for a part of the world that I know hasn't seen much of that recently! Your DD is really talented - that drawing is amazing.
Registered Message Board Members save 30% off PassPorter guidebooks! When you register you'll have access to a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of PassPorter books in our online store.
Love the drawings from your daughter as so well done!
__________________
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!
Wow, that is a lot of rain for a part of the world that I know hasn't seen much of that recently! Your DD is really talented - that drawing is amazing.
We saw sprinkles on a couple of different days but it really rained for a bit this day. I had to take a pic of her drawing because I liked it too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperDave
Love the drawings from your daughter as so well done!
She's talented, in second grade her teacher suggested I have her take a college art class . He saw her talent then that I just thought was good coloring.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
So unusual to get rain while at DLR! But so neat that you all just forged ahead. Both your drawings are great.
When I took DD the first time, 2009, we went in early December and it poured for a couple of days, we were really soaked. Thanks!
We were getting close to our fastpass time and I wanted to see Radiator Springs before hand since everyone here who had been raved about it so that's where we headed next. I took pictures as we went along. Luckily the rain had stopped when we came out of Animation Academy.
Our fastpass time was ready so we made our way to the line for RSR.
Here's Karen in line.
And DD.
Many of my pictures inside the ride were blurry so I won't subject you to those.
The ride was so fun! We all loved it. I had been on test track in WDW and it was pretty good but RSR really upped the fun factor. Scenery on the ride was amazing.
We didn't have a plan so walked a bit and saw this ride, the line was way to long but we found a seat and watched the dance.
While we were sitting, this guy came rolling by.
We were thinking about getting a snack so made our way to the cozy cone.
I got a cheddar garlic bagel twist and a red apple freeze. Neither was anything to write home about. The bagel twist had a good flavor but was dry so hard to swallow down. DD tried my apple freeze and didn't care for it much, I didn't finish it.
DD got popcorn and a drink.
These are very clever buildings though.
I loved the orange flowers!
On the way out we met a photographer so stopped for these.
Looks like a good time in the park and especially RSR!
__________________
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!