Merry, Magical, and Bright: Late Fall Adventures of Cam & Luke Updated 3/12 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
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How cool to get a free breakfast!! I love your photos as always and your morning sounds mostly wonderful!! Poor Charlotte with the FP+!! I did that once too. Awesome birthday present!!!!
How great that you all got a free Starbucks breakfast! It was too bad that Charlotte wasn't able to ride SDMT I really love all the detail in your pictures since we always seem to rush up the queue when we have a fast pass! I love the new POTC photos although the flash is quite bright if you look directly at it. Glad you got to enjoy the morning with family!
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.
Free breakfast is a great one to start the day!! Sounds like you day with Pam and Charlotte are off to a good start, minus Charlotte missing out on SDMT.
Great first half to your day in the MK! Can't believe how crowded it is there so early! You certainly packed a lot in with a number of attractions, beverage stops and lunch at PB! A bit of a goof with Charlotte's FP+ for Peter Pan. I awlays double check my ressies and she obviously didn't with the am/pm screw up! Not like us Disney Uber Planners! Too funny with the guy on his phone going into the ladies room! Good idea for him to stay off the phone for a bit and perhaps pay attention for a bit! He probably does the same thing when crossing busy streets and paying more attention to his phone! Good idea to be more alert of his surroundings and just habit, but not a good thing as he may pay for this one day!
The look on his face was priceless. I came out right behind him and watching him shaking his head "no" the whole way into the men's restroom.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Yay for a free breakfast! That is too funny about the ladies' restroom. I bet his face was a real picture!
What a shame about Charlotte's FP. So I guess that was her out of getting any other FPs for the rest of the day then?
She canceled the FP for SDMT and that's how we all managed to ride PotC together. I had done the same thing last October with a FP for PP after Hurricane Matthew, even though I thought I had double checked. We just canceled then and could make another one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DMA
You got some great PP shots! I didn't realize PoC had a ride photo now. Cool!
Nice that you all got a free breakfast at Starbucks.
I really like the new ride photos for PotC. We did luck out with the free breakfast at Starbucks.
Sounds like your morning is off to a great start! It’s great they were able to be with you for the morning. What a fabulous birthday present too!
We were very happy that Pam and Charlotte could join us. The purse is totally adorable.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tara O'Hara
How cool to get a free breakfast!! I love your photos as always and your morning sounds mostly wonderful!! Poor Charlotte with the FP+!! I did that once too. Awesome birthday present!!!!
I really felt for Charlotte as she had been so excited to ride SDMT.
Quote:
Originally Posted by purplegal
What a nice day with your sister and niece, free breakfast and some great pictures.
Thanks! Since we don't go went school is out anymore, it's a little tricky to get time with Pam since she is still working as an aide in the school system. But we love when we can manage at least a day.
How great that you all got a free Starbucks breakfast! It was too bad that Charlotte wasn't able to ride SDMT I really love all the detail in your pictures since we always seem to rush up the queue when we have a fast pass! I love the new POTC photos although the flash is quite bright if you look directly at it. Glad you got to enjoy the morning with family!
Starbucks for breakfast is always a pleasure, but free made it even better. I love when the FP line isn't crowded because that allows me more time to get photos. I love the ride photo at POTC too, but I'll remember not to look directly up next time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by patclairesmom
What a fun morning at MK. Nice score on the free breakfast!
Thanks! I think we both ask her if she was sure it was free because we couldn't believe it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
Free breakfast is a great one to start the day!! Sounds like you day with Pam and Charlotte are off to a good start, minus Charlotte missing out on SDMT.
Absolutely a great start! Hopefully, Charlotte who has an AP will get back to MK to ride SDMT.
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.
Then we walked back through the tunnel into the most magical place on Earth. First, we walked through the Emporium, browsing and photographing items we might want to return for later in the day.
After our browsing adventure in the Emporium, we crossed Main Street to Uptown Jewelers, and specifically the Pandora shop. I pretty much knew what I wanted, but I also wanted to see the charms before I made a purchase. In the end, I selected a limited edition charm called Mickey and Minnie Love with the two of them highlighted in 10K. This came with a very pretty clutch in either silver or navy blue. I chose the navy blue clutch, which is now stowed with our travel bags for our next WDW trip. Now I had already added a limited edition charm to my wishlist for Christmas with a local jeweler who carries Pandora. I checked with Luke to be sure I was not duplicating, and he gave me the go ahead. But come Christmas morning, we discovered it was the exact same charm. No problem! On December 27, we went back to Nick T. Arnold Jewelers and exchanged it for two charms and a pair of earrings. It was quite pricey with the 10K gold. I was excited though as not only did have the limited edition charm, I also got a new release Thumper, aka Dumper as Stefanie called it. That will remind me of her every time I wear the bracelet. Additionally, I got a Tinker Bell dress charm, another that will remind me of my sweet daughter. Instead of a third charm, I selected a pair of earrings, though it took me forever to finally decide on which pair. So all is well that ends well. Photos below of the Pandora bracelet, and my apologies that they are a bit blurry. I’m not adept yet at jewelry photos.
Back to WDW and its Pandora store. I had been looking online before the trip at Disney Christmas charms, so I asked to see several of these up close. I chose one with Christmas wreaths with what I thought were Mickey head bows. When I was adding my new charms from Christmas, I realized these are actually Minnie as each has a bow on her head. See photo above.
The other must have this trip was a safety chain, which I hope will alert me if my bracelet’s clasp ever opens. It also keeps the bracelet from falling to the floor when I open it to take it off. The one I chose is a Mickey and Minnie heart set in silver and crystals. See photo above. Well, that was enough for this trip, especially since I knew I’d have more coming in December. In fact, Luke and I figure that my third bracelet only has room for one more charm, and that probably needs to be a dangling charm.
From Uptown Jewelers, we headed for Tomorrowland, making for the new restrooms back by Space Mountain first. Then we love Carousel of Progress that was our next adventure. The photo isn’t good, but it served as a place saver when I had time to write my notes.
Back at ground level, we decided to see Monster, Inc. Laugh Floor. The standby line was posted as a 10 minute wait, which didn’t seem bad. Initially, the line moved rather well, and then we hit a dead stop followed by an announcement that the attraction was down and we would need to exit.
Then we had an accident as we were leaving. I had my phone out attempting to get a couple of FastPasses for Luke to Space Mountain so he could have a couple of back-to-back rides. I was successful with that little task, but as I went to put my photo back in my bag, I dropped it. I know you are gasping, thinking I broke my phone. : But it dropped directly on Luke’s foot and his bunion. The phone was safe, but Luke was now in pain and needed to sit down ASAP. What a silly wife! Bad girl! But Luke ever the sweetheart never, ever complained. We found an empty table and chairs partly in the shade, and he sat while I set off for Cool Ship for two drinks. I used the down time to catch up on notes. I didn’t record how long we sat, but a little bit, Luke was good to go again and suggested we go to Fantasyland as he wanted to browse Big Top Souvenirs. I know he was looking for something particular that he thought might be here, but I didn’t record that either. I did note that we stopped on our way there at the new train station restrooms. We laughed about it, but this seemed to be one of those days when I needed a restroom every hour as you see over the course of this day.
Eventually, we were in the window for Luke’s two rides on Space Mountain, so it was back to Tomorrowland. I found a bench where I could charge my phone and take some notes. But then I had to go to the restroom AGAIN! So in my wanderings I got a photo of Space Mountain and a secluded area wi
th tables and chairs on the far side of the restrooms near SM.
When I returned my bench had been taken, but I still found another though it was less in the shade. I didn’t have to wait long before Luke rejoined me anyway, and we moved on to new adventures. I had attempted to get us another FastPass a couple minutes after Luke headed back into Space Mountain, but there were zero FastPasses to be had. The park was definitely busy today.
NEXT: A Random Act of Violence in it’s a small world (Note: Nothing gory or scary or rude just a little shocking)
A Bonus Photo: Luke got me the coolest decal for my KitchenAid stand mixer.
Great job on the purchases in the MK! You got some good attractions in as well. Too bad for Luke with his foot serving as a cushion for your phone's free fall! No surprise with the frequent restroom break as you had two beverages, while Luke rested his foot.
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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!
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.