Our Fall 2014 Trip Report - Coming to You Barely Live from Orlando - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
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.
Wonderful photos from the Trek. I want to do this again also, but don't think I'd attempt it the heat and humidity you had. I think you did very well accomplishing this even if you did need to call it a day afterwards. I love the meal they serve on this tour, so pretty and delicious too.
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.
The Trek is so much fun. The crocs were not out when we were on the trek. The guide told us that it was time for their annual check-ups. They had all been taken to the examination area for testing, etc.
Glad you enjoyed the WAT! This is one I definitely want to do, even though it's a bit pricey, but sure it's worth it! I probably, would not so it when you did with the temps, even though I like my warm weather, but avoid the humidity!
I've done a number of special Disney events like this such as the horse ride in Fort Wilderness, Future World Tour, Keys To The Kingdom, Parasailing on Bay Lake, Segway in Epcot's WS( loved this and sorry, it's no longer offered). You can also consider golf as that's something outside the parks. Probably too many rounds and not enough in the parks! I looked through my records and it's 51 rounds on 11 trips since 2002! WOW!
.
__________________
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!
What wonderful photos from the Wild Africa Trek - glad you enjoyed it!
It was a definite thumbs up.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
Wonderful photos from the Trek. I want to do this again also, but don't think I'd attempt it the heat and humidity you had. I think you did very well accomplishing this even if you did need to call it a day afterwards. I love the meal they serve on this tour, so pretty and delicious too.
I was glad I didn't chicken out and cancel the Trek, even though I may not have been at my best, we both enjoyed it. The lunch was very good.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey
[/CENTER]
Wonderful pictures from the WAT! Glad you enjoyed it. I can't see the picture above without thinking "Asanta Sana Squash Banana".
I had to think a minute, them remembered. Lion King is one of my favorite Disney movies (and plays).
Quote:
Originally Posted by rhinohunter
The Trek is so much fun. The crocs were not out when we were on the trek. The guide told us that it was time for their annual check-ups. They had all been taken to the examination area for testing, etc.
Well, those crocs must be having a heck of a check up . They will probably be back next time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lfredsbo
So glad you enjoyed the trek so much! Lou looks so happy in his photo
He did enjoy it. I've found he likes things structured, and not too crowded. Have to admit, that appeals to me too.
Glad you enjoyed the WAT! This is one I definitely want to do, even though it's a bit pricey, but sure it's worth it! I probably, would not so it when you did with the temps, even though I like my warm weather, but avoid the humidity!
I've done a number of special Disney events like this such as the horse ride in Fort Wilderness, Future World Tour, Keys To The Kingdom, Parasailing on Bay Lake, Segway in Epcot's WS( loved this and sorry, it's no longer offered). You can also consider golf as that's something outside the parks. Probably too many rounds and not enough in the parks! I looked through my records and it's 51 rounds on 11 trips since 2002! WOW!
.
I was hoping the weather would have cooled down a little by the end of September - I was wrong
You've golfed a lot at Disney! We used to host a company golf tournament a couple times each year at Disney, and that was lots of fun. I think I'd like to do the Segway tour at Fort Wilderness.
The Trek is expensive, but when you think about the cost of a couple of Signature dinners. It's not too bad.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great pictures from the WAT! Glad you both enjoyed it and found it worthwhile!
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.
I am so glad you enjoyed the WAT. One day I'll get Luke to do this again with me. I'm afraid of heights, but surprisingly, the swinging bridges did no bother me. In fact, Luke said he was shocked when I stopped and leaned over taking photos. The guides do a great job of taking photos for you, too.
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.
Glad you enjoyed WAT! You got some great pictures. But the suspension bridge... I don't think I'd be able to cross it.
The bridge isn't too bad, you are concentrating on the steps, so you don't notice how high you are
Quote:
Originally Posted by elbodans
loved your review of wild africa trek! thanks! i'm STILL trying to decide if we will do this (next week--yikes!) so this was helpful! thank you!
Looking forward to seeing what you decide to do.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
I am so glad you enjoyed the WAT. One day I'll get Luke to do this again with me. I'm afraid of heights, but surprisingly, the swinging bridges did no bother me. In fact, Luke said he was shocked when I stopped and leaned over taking photos. The guides do a great job of taking photos for you, too.
The guides do a nice job with the photos, and we also found them to be informative and entertaining.
Today was our last day. Epcot with more Food & Wine was on the agenda, but that might change. I started the morning with coffee on the balcony, watching the boats:
I wanted to check out the infamous Clown Pool that creeps out so many people - it was innocuous in the morning sun, and I found it hard to believe the stories of it consuming entire families:
After consultation with my travel partner, we decided to skip Epcot today and go to Magic Kingdom instead. I had hoped to get there yesterday afternoon, but the rain put a damper on that plan. We waited a short time for a bus, and were at the Magic Kingdom before noon:
We spent some time watching the boats (of course!) before entering the park. I was able to secure a lunchtime ADR as we were traveling to the park, so that worked well.
Tony's was a first for us, and I didn't have high expectations. It turned out to be a good choice - it was air conditioned, our server (Anthony) was excellent, and the meals were fine - not exceptional, but good.
I was concerned when we entered because there were lots of people waiting, and Lou wandered over to the shop next door and made a purchase. We were actually seated right away, so that was nice.
What did Lou buy? Could have knocked me over with this - it seems he was developing a fondness for his Magic Band:
Here are some food pics - salad was good, calamari was "ok," and the flatbread hit the spot:
We will most likely go back to Tony's. The convenience of the location and the ambience made it a winner for us. We might be partial to the theme:
After lunch, we visited the shops along Main Street. The treats at the Confectionary were tempting, but we resisted:
The afternoon parade was in progress as we walked down Main Street.
Our first (and probably last ) Memory Maker Castle Shot (we are wearing the same clothes we had on for our Epcot photo - I did laundry during the week )
We had a FP+ for The Haunted Mansion, and I did want to ride this, since we'd missed out at MNSSHP. As we were walking to the Mansion, we passed the new Gift Shop - they were reportedly doing soft openings, but not while we were there:
We had some time before our next FP+, so it was time to take a cruise on the river.
The next FP+ was ready, and we made our way to a very important meeting. Standby was only 90 minutes, but I was glad we had our FP+:
This pic cracks me up - Lou has NO idea what we are doing, and is trying to figure what lies around the corner. You can also see there was no one else in the FP+ line:
I am finally going to get some time with Elsa. We had a short wait as a large family was in the process of getting their photo taken in every possible family combination. It was entertaining, because Elsa reached for the hand of the little boy (about 3, I'd guess), and he went screaming from her - trying to run out the door. Once it was our turn, Lou stayed back to take photos. I had a nice chat with Elsa (something about chocolate in the Kingdom - no idea what she was talking about). I asked if she would show me the Ice Power Pose, and she did:
Come on, you know you saw this one coming OK, it's the little things that matter, but this completely made my day
We had originally planned to stay for the Festival of Fantasy Parade, but it was hot, hot, hot at this point. I decided Lou had been such a good sport, I would release him from his supervisory duties, and we would go back to the room. We did have a 20+ minute wait for the bus.
Going to The Magic Kingdom on our last day cut short our Food & Wine time, but we had fun, so that's what counts.
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.
About This Page: 
PassPorter Guide Author
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
This is one I definitely want to do, even though it's a bit pricey, but sure it's worth it! 
I probably, would not so it when you did with the temps, even though I like my warm weather, but avoid the humidity! 
I looked through my records and it's 51 rounds on 11 trips since 2002! WOW! 
) Memory Maker Castle Shot (we are wearing the same clothes we had on for our Epcot photo - I did laundry 
OK, it's the little things that matter, but this completely made my day 
Linear Mode
