Escaping The Brutal Northeast For Sunny, Warm Florida and Fun! Completed 7/12 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
well I have FINALLY been able to catch up on your PTR/TR - all done.
YAY you are in the bubble. So early and already getting settled in for the trip. I don't like the sound of your teaser. I hope it doesn't rain on your parade.
I'm am certainly there and a good start to the trip exploring Riverside! Much more to come!
__________________
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!
I'm back from my WDW trip and trying to catch up on my trip report reading. We really enjoy POR. Such a comfy place. Glad to see your photos.
Glad you had a great trip and look forward to the TR! I love POR and seem more so on each stay there. This and it's counterpart FQ are the best Mods in Disney!
__________________
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!
Registered Message Board Members Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
Unfortunately, I didn't have the time this weekend as I was away in Rhode Island for a great time with some friends, On the East Bay just south of Providence in Barrington and not too far across from Newport. Also, had a busy week prior to this. Hoping to get a couple of updates in here next weekend as I usually can't find the time during the week. I'm falling behind on my thread and many others here as well. Just got back a couple of hours ago.
__________________
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!
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.
Just getting caught up! Your room looks great! Corner room? You really got so much done before ready to head to the park!
Doesn't take a lot to get caught up to my updates as most of mine are done on the weekend as it's the only time I can do these for the most part.
I love the room and it is a corner room....that means an extra window! Can't believe the unpacking I got done before heading out to the parks! Just decided to do it then, as my bags arrived and would much rather get it over with now than later, when I returned from the parks and before heading out once again in the evening for dinner!
__________________
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!
Last edited by SuperDave; 08-24-2014 at 10:15 PM..
Now that I had unpacked pretty much everything I needed to, it was time to head out to the first park of my trip and Disney Studios. It was only about 11:45 am and my first Fastpass+ time wasn’t for about an hour. The weather didn’t look promising, so I brought my hooded rain windbreaker, just to be safe. Before, going to the bus stop, (I think the closest being the North Depot) decided on a few more photos of the Alligator Bayou area.
This is actually from 2007, but always liked this photo with the gardens and Oak Manor in the background.
Some of AB and gardens on the walk to bus stop.
The walk to the North Depot was only about a minute or so, which is quite convenient less crowded than the South Depot outside the main building. There were only a few people waiting and I probably only waited about five minutes before a Studios bus pulled up. So, it was off to Studios!
The original plan was to get off at Studios and than take the boat or walk to the Beach Club for lunch at Beaches and Cream, which I never have been to and always wanted to. With the weather looking quite ominous, just arriving today and my first Fastpass+ time coming up, I decided to pass on it. I wasn’t that hungry now either. I think doing this one on a non arrival day will be best and plan to do it on my next WDW trip! Cheryl!
I arrived at Studios at about 12:20 pm and did a bit of walking around and taking photos for a bit as I still had 15-20 minutes before my first Fastpass+ time.
Love this Mickey for the F&G Festival at the entrance!
The sky does look a bit threatening!
There was quite a long line to enter Studios and they probably should have had more kiosks open to scan your Magic Band as this is still quite new to most and takes a while to get the feel on how to do it as it can slow the lines down a bit. The kiosk I was using was a bit slow in accepting mine, but finally worked.
Couple of characters at Studios performing a routine.
Making the walk to my first attraction of the trip. Can you guess which one? It always seems so crowded down Sunset Boulevard with two of the parks biggest attractions here as well as the numerous food stands and the Hollywood Brown Derby close by as well.
Glad I had a Fastpass+ ressie for this, otherwise, I wouldn’t be too happy! No surprise being a Saturday afternoon! I was about ten minutes early, so did a bit of walking in the area. When it was finally time, I scanned my Magic Band at the entrance and once again, inside the hotel. It worked quite well.
Inside the lobby of the Hollywood Tower Hotel
The line for Fastpass+ moved pretty quickly and was only a few minutes to reach the lobby and enter the pre show room for the video. I have always liked this video and all the detail in this room, the hotel and on all Disney attractions. Just amazes me and makes the experience that much better.
Both lines were quite long in the service elevator area. I took the first line. Being a single rider, I lucked out and got called up front to wait outside the elevator. Even better, I was in row 1! I enjoyed this as always and had a great drop sequence, which was quite scary. Still one of my favorite WDW attractions! Not sure, which is my favorite as I’ve never thought about it that much!
As I was leaving Tower of Terror it began to rain and come down quite hard. Decided to use the restrooms and wait underneath one of those overhangs near TOT. It let up after a few minutes and headed for my second Fastpass+ time and Toy Story Midway Mania. The rain lightened up a bit on the way and glad I decided to bring my hooded rain jacket!
Looks quite dark out as it was!
The rain started picking up again as I got closer to Pixar Studios.
I had about ten minutes or so until my FP+ time, so did some exploring in the Streets of America area. Looks rather wet!
The line for FP+ inside TSMM was rather long and a few announcements were made regarding the weather as there was lightning in the area and the ride may be shut down! They never shut it down, but the line was moving quite slow and probably took about 25 minutes to get in my car.
It always seems that photos don’t come out too well in here for some reason.
Had a great time on this ride and did score over 100K. Not exactly sure what my final score was! It’s always a blur and quite tiring with all the targets you’re shooting at!
As I left, the attraction and was coming down the ramp inside, you could hear the rain coming down outside. When I got outside, it was unbelievable and couldn’t believe how hard it was raining. I dodged across the street to one of the merchandise shops and hung around there, until the rain lightened up somewhat.
My final FP+ was at 2:40 pm for Star Tours, but wanted to grab some lunch first. One of the food courts near TSMM was quite crowded with very long lines, so I looked elsewhere. I found the Herbie The Love Bug hotdog stand near the Lights, Motor, Action attraction. Had a hotdog and coke. Didn’t want too big of a lunch as I had an ADR in Epcot later at 6:15 pm.
After a bit of lunch I went over to the Great Movie Ride, but the rain started coming down quite hard again and even more so than before. The attraction was temporarily shut down with the weather, so that was out. Even with, my rain jacket, I was still getting wet. There was probably a good inch or so of water pooling in the park as it was coming down that hard and can’t drain that fast. So with this, I decided it was time to head back to Riverside. I would miss my FP+ at Star Tours, but still had a good time, even with the rain.
This is how dark it looked at 2:30 in the afternoon with the storms.
I got to the bus stop and it was quite a long line and knew I wouldn’t make it on the first bus. The first bus arrived after about ten minutes. I wasn’t under cover and the rain was still coming down quite hard. I was finally protected from the rain, once the first bus arrived. Even with a hooded jacket, I was getting a bit wet as it was quite a driving rain. Finally, after another twenty minutes another bus arrived and was on the way back to Riverside. The driver luckily put the heat on as I and everyone else on board was quite wet with the torrential rains. I arrived back at the North Depot at around 3:15 or so.
NEXT: Disney’s Best FAB and Epcot!
__________________
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!
Thanks for the update . I was getting concerned as Sunday was coming to a close.
Looks like you had fun at DHS, not letting the rain stop you. Can't believe how dark it was at 2:30. It was, however, probably a good idea to go back to change and warm up.
Registered Message Board Members Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
FastPass+ really worked in your favor this day as the wait times seemed very long and who would want to wait in that torrential rain. Sorry you got wet, but it didn't seem to take too long to get back to your resort.
Thanks for the update . I was getting concerned as Sunday was coming to a close.
Looks like you had fun at DHS, not letting the rain stop you. Can't believe how dark it was at 2:30. It was, however, probably a good idea to go back to change and warm up.
I really wanted to get this update out as it had been two weeks since my last one. I was in Rhode Island last weekend and obviously didn't have the time to do one. Not much time during the week as I have a job.
Studios was a lot of fun and the rain did get in the way toward the end as I felt it was time to go, even with an EMS (Eastern Mt. Sports) rain gear. It got to be too much, for sure. Getting back to the resort for a bit would be good, with a bit of time but not too much, before heading out for the evening on a long day!
__________________
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!
FastPass+ really worked in your favor this day as the wait times seemed very long and who would want to wait in that torrential rain. Sorry you got wet, but it didn't seem to take too long to get back to your resort.
FP+ did work out to my advantage on the premium rides. I couldn't believe how wet I got, even with a hooded rain wind breaker. The rain was unbelievable! The trip itself back to POR was fine, but the wait at Studios for a bus was quite long with so many leaving with the rain! Still a great afternoon!
__________________
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!
Glad you managed to do so much despite the rain. Nothing you can do to fight it when it rains so hard you're sloshing though ponded water in the parks!
You didn't make it to Beaches and Cream? Oh well, I guess there's always next time...
You did well with your Fastpasses and I'm glad you didn't let the weather slow you down.
I was kind of disappointed not going to B&C. Kind of tough on the arrival day, but definitely plan on it for my next WDW trip! I was so glad I had the rain gear with me as those downpours were quite something!
__________________
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!
About This Page: 
Much more to come!
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
I love POR and seem more so on each stay there. This and it's counterpart FQ are the best Mods in Disney! 
I'm falling behind on my thread and many others here as well. Just got back a couple of hours ago.
It was only about 11:45 am and my first Fastpass+ time wasn’t for about an hour. The weather didn’t look promising, so I brought my hooded rain windbreaker, just to be safe. Before, going to the bus stop, (I think the closest being the North Depot) decided on a few more photos of the Alligator Bayou area.
Cheryl! 
It always seems so crowded down Sunset Boulevard with two of the parks biggest attractions here as well as the numerous food stands and the Hollywood Brown Derby close by as well.
No surprise being a Saturday afternoon! I was about ten minutes early, so did a bit of walking in the area. When it was finally time, I scanned my Magic Band at the entrance and once again, inside the hotel. It worked quite well. 
They never shut it down, but the line was moving quite slow and probably took about 25 minutes to get in my car. 
I dodged across the street to one of the merchandise shops and hung around there, until the rain lightened up somewhat. 
Even with, my rain jacket, I was still getting wet. There was probably a good inch or so of water pooling in the park as it was coming down that hard and can’t drain that fast. 
So with this, I decided it was time to head back to Riverside. I would miss my FP+ at Star Tours, but still had a good time, even with the rain. 
. I was getting concerned as Sunday was coming to a close.
Still a great afternoon! 
PassPorter Guide Author
Linear Mode
