Checking off that Bucket List ~ Disney Style! - Page 16 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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What a great update and way to bring in the new year! Some of the pictures have some funny people in the background. The one of Em sitting at POR and the little girl in the corner looks so cranky I giggled.
Thanks! I had to go back and look at that one!! LOL!! guess maybe that kid was tired? Or annoyed because Em kept getting all the trivia questions correct?!?!
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Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
Today we woke early – about 7ish – had our showers, and packed everything up and were out of the room by 9 – along the way to the bus for MK, we brought our luggage to Bell Services – and we had had a few left over beverages (sodas, waters, juice and beer) so we found a Dad who was VERY excited to take them off our hands!! We love to spread some magic with guests that are arriving as we are departing!
We were on the MK bus at 9:12, arriving at MK at 9:25 and had the most personable bus driver I have ever encountered in Disney – she was just full of knowledge, tips and info – even for the “seasoned” Disney travelers like us!! Her name was Pat from NJ – so if you ever get her – be sure to say hi!
Oh yeah – and I took note that we were in the MK gates at 9:27!!!
Stopped for a few photos;
And a few photopass photos:
And a few more that I took along the way.....
We then headed for the line for Merida as she was one that we definitely wanted to meet on this trip – Scott stayed in the line sitting on the wall while Emily & I ran to Gaston’s Tavern to grab some breakfast for us to share:
A cinnamon roll (this thing was large enough to share – we only ordered 1! and sorry - started to dig into it before remembering to take a photo!) and an order of sliced apples.
While Scott was waiting – there was some confusion – the Character attendant had told Scott and a few people in front of Scott that the line was cut off and that it would not open again for another hour. Scott made the mistake of leaving the line!!!! When Emily & I returned to where we left him – he was NOT there!!! I tried calling him, he was not answering………needless to say – this turned into a bit of a “mess” – he finally called back – he had gone looking for us……and in the meantime, Emily & I had joined back in the line – knowing that everyone was going to wait there until they could meet Merida – knowing that what the CM meant was that Merida would take a break – then be back and that would take about an hour –but apparently Mr. Scott thought that meant you couldn’t wait………….GEES……….how many times has that boy been to Disney??? He knows how this works………so anyway – after straightening him out – we got comfy on the wall, waiting, eating our cinnamon roll – that was DELICIOUS!!! And chatting with another family (who happened to be a single mom with 3 girls……I was thinking in my head – you are one brave woman!!! )………….then it was time for us to be let into the meet and greet area for Merida!!!
She is just ADORABLE!!!! I love how they set up the area – and I had really wished that Emily was younger and would have played in the area that they had set up – even she said she wished she was younger!! We met Merida and were quite happy with our accomplishment even with the hiccup!
After our meeting, we headed back over to the New Fantasyland as we wanted to try Be Our Guest for lunch and we knew our best option was to try to get in before the lunch rush – it was about 11ish at this point – we found the line to look quite long, but honestly we only waited about 10-15 minutes – I really like how they manage this line – they only allow so many people into the Castle at a time for ordering, so they keep the front door closed, it seemed to be very efficient.
Of course, I took a ton of photos while waiting in line……….including one of the construction of the 7 Mine train.......
While waiting to be let in………Linda a CM was happy to pose for me!
I almost expected the knights to start moving or something......
Scott is holding the "rose" - you bring this to the table and they are able to locate you through this!
We ordered several items for all 3 of us to share:
French Onion Soup
Croque mons Sandwich (ham and cheese……it was okay….)
Steak Sandwich (VERY YUMMY!!!)
And a Lemon Meringue Cupcake (could have eaten several of these by myself!! )
We really enjoyed our meal here – especially for a counter service! I don’t want to give away to many details in case you want to try for yourself – but it is a definite must try!
We took many photos inside the castle!! I loved how each room was completely different!
I even loved how they designed the trash cans!
After lunch, we headed out to take more photos in the New Fantasyland – we found a GREAT photopass photographer – Roxanne – who took several great shots of us in front of Prince Eric’s castle and gave lots of tips for the photopass photos!
We then rode Under the Sea with Ariel one more time – trying to get some more photos along the way (this is hard one to photograph!).
Then we entered into the Storybook Circus area to ride Barnstormer – always a lot of fun! And I managed to get a couple of neat photos!
Then we found a photopass photographer near the train station – so we had some photos done! And of course, I took a few of the train as well!!
We then walked along the back walkway to Tomorrowland – I like this walkway – as it is not crowded – it’s nice and quiet.
At the end of the walkway – we noticed that Stitch was out – so we of course had to have a visit with him!
Then it was onto Space Mountain again………. yes, this is 3 times in 4 ½ days!!!!! Emily wanted to do a “goofy” pic this time!!
After that ride on Space Mountain, this mama needed a Mickey Bar!!!
Up Next: Just a few more hours..........and another Magical Moment!
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Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
Your Fantasy land pics are great! Can't wait to meet America. She looks like she's having a ball! The details at Be Our Guest are amazing. You are a brave woman doing Space Mountain that many times!
You guys sure were up early after such a late night!
Thanks for all of the pictures and ingo about BOG, I'm glad you enjoyed your lunch there! It all looks so beautiful inside, there are just so many details. I loved that the soda machine was even made to look "royal" I tried to get us a dinner ADR there for August, but it was booked solid At least I know that lunch is an option!
You got so many great pictures today, I can't pick a favorite. The ones you got on Barnstormer are pretty cool though!
Glad to know that the line for lunch at BOG is only so they can manage the numbers and that it doesn't take long to get in. The dining rooms look beautiful. Great photos all around the new areas. I love the new magic shots!
That's it - Be Our Guest is now a definite must-do for October/November, more than before. I desperately want dinner there, but I'm also thinking if we can't get that, we'll go for lunch, even if we don't eat much, as I need to see inside this place.
You certainly had a full day. BTW give poor Scott a break aftyer trying to keep up with you and Em the poor guy is entitled to a Cerebral Flatulence moment. He did after all suggest this trip as a way to celebrate your B day as I recall
I just LOVED BOG!!! I haven't done lunch yet but dinner was superb! If you can get an ADR for dinner in July, you won't be disappointed : Looks like you all were having a very nice last few hours at MK.
I LOL'ed when I read about Scott and the line. Oh silly Scott. I think he just needs a refresher on Disney Line terminology
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Awsome pictures. You guys are getting me more excited than I already am to see everything even when I know that is not possible on your first trip!! Sounds like you guys had a wonderful day even if you had to stand in line twice. LOL
Your Fantasy land pics are great! Can't wait to meet America. She looks like she's having a ball! The details at Be Our Guest are amazing. You are a brave woman doing Space Mountain that many times!
Thanks! Merida was so much fun!!! Yeah - Space Mountain is a must do for Emily several times!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
Great pictures of the day! I can't wait to try BOG!!!
Thanks! BOG is DELISH!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by JKnott17
You guys sure were up early after such a late night!
Thanks for all of the pictures and ingo about BOG, I'm glad you enjoyed your lunch there! It all looks so beautiful inside, there are just so many details. I loved that the soda machine was even made to look "royal" I tried to get us a dinner ADR there for August, but it was booked solid At least I know that lunch is an option!
You got so many great pictures today, I can't pick a favorite. The ones you got on Barnstormer are pretty cool though!
Thanks - yep gotta get in all the minutes before having to fly out!!! I have heard that lunch is better than dinner - whether it is true or not I believe is probably personal opinion - we are doing dinner in July -so we can compare for ourselves - but I don't think you will be disappointed with lunch if you can't get dinner!
I was pretty excited about the Barnstormer one of going through the billboard!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
Glad to know that the line for lunch at BOG is only so they can manage the numbers and that it doesn't take long to get in. The dining rooms look beautiful. Great photos all around the new areas. I love the new magic shots!
Yes - the line was very intimidating - don't let that scare you! Thanks!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
That's it - Be Our Guest is now a definite must-do for October/November, more than before. I desperately want dinner there, but I'm also thinking if we can't get that, we'll go for lunch, even if we don't eat much, as I need to see inside this place.
It is YUMMY!!! I have been told by a few that lunch is better than dinner - but I feel that is personal opinion to be made on own - we are trying dinner in July!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeL
You certainly had a full day. BTW give poor Scott a break aftyer trying to keep up with you and Em the poor guy is entitled to a Cerebral Flatulence moment. He did after all suggest this trip as a way to celebrate your B day as I recall
Yeah, yeah, yeah!! He makes up for it later in the day!
Quote:
Originally Posted by kingfamily1129
I just LOVED BOG!!! I haven't done lunch yet but dinner was superb! If you can get an ADR for dinner in July, you won't be disappointed : Looks like you all were having a very nice last few hours at MK.
I LOL'ed when I read about Scott and the line. Oh silly Scott. I think he just needs a refresher on Disney Line terminology
We do have a dinner ADR at BOG in July!!! Scott..........sigh.............sometimes I wonder - Just kidding!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Russi01
Awsome pictures. You guys are getting me more excited than I already am to see everything even when I know that is not possible on your first trip!! Sounds like you guys had a wonderful day even if you had to stand in line twice. LOL
Thanks! You will have a wonderful time!!! There is so much to see and do!!! Just remember to go with the flow and take your time!
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Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports