The Trip Full of Thanksgiving and Christmas 11/19-11/28 - Page 18 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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.
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I can only imagine how miserable it was to get up so early and then have to wait 15 minutes for the desk to open. I feel sleepy just thinking of it
Our luggage always gets beat up whenever we fly. I remember one year our luggage got SOAKED because of a huge downpour while they were unloading it from the plane.
That's a pain about the luggage, but the limo ride looked cool.
It was very cool, and a relief!
Quote:
Originally Posted by num1DVCfan
I can only imagine how miserable it was to get up so early and then have to wait 15 minutes for the desk to open. I feel sleepy just thinking of it
Our luggage always gets beat up whenever we fly. I remember one year our luggage got SOAKED because of a huge downpour while they were unloading it from the plane.
I had it get wet once too. It just seems crazy. I have flown a lot and never had issues like that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Sorry about the dessert party! At least you got your money back!!
Bummer that your trip is over! Amy, if you have any of your receipts there is a number you can call. I've only had good luck getting exchanges or money back by calling and talking to a CM. I had an ice cream scoop that was in two pieces when we got home. They told me to throw it away, and sent another that arrived in about 4 or 5 days. I had a spatula that was no where to be found when we unpacked and both of us thoroughly checked. I called and they said no problem, sending me another again that arrived in 4 or 5 day. If you can't find a receipt, let me know because I'm weird and have kept every receipt from every trip. I'd just need to dig through the box where I keep that stuff.
Bummer that your trip is over! Amy, if you have any of your receipts there is a number you can call. I've only had good luck getting exchanges or money back by calling and talking to a CM. I had an ice cream scoop that was in two pieces when we got home. They told me to throw it away, and sent another that arrived in about 4 or 5 days. I had a spatula that was no where to be found when we unpacked and both of us thoroughly checked. I called and they said no problem, sending me another again that arrived in 4 or 5 day. If you can't find a receipt, let me know because I'm weird and have kept every receipt from every trip. I'd just need to dig through the box where I keep that stuff.
Thank you! I will check and see. I know I didn't have that particular receipt. I will see if I can find any at all and give them a call. If not, I will ask you. Thanks a lot!!
We did a lot of firsts on this trip, even though we have a few of them under our belt. That is one of the things that keeps us going back. Each trip is very different from the last one.
Traveling in November has some wonderful aspects. The weather was pretty much perfect. The time of year to see the Christmas things and the Candleight Processional was everything I dreamed it would be. In order to travel when we did and for as long as we did, we had to travel over a holiday. I was nervous about the crowds. They were high on some days, and not necessarily the days I thought they would be high. But they were very doable. It will definitely be tempting to travel at that time of year again.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party was new to us. I am very glad we did it. We want to do the Halloween party at some point too.
Doing four dessert parties in one trip was definitely new to us. Merry and Bright was worth every penny. The Illuminations one not at all. Two Wishes ones was a bit much, but I was glad not to be in the crowds.
We had a lot of new dining experiences. Garden Grill breakfast was the top favorite by all, followed by 1900 Park Fare breakfast, and the Raglan Road. I am so very glad Raglan Road worked out as it was rescheduled multiple times.
Coronado Springs was new to us as well. I had read about how it wasn't very Disney, it was too big, the staff weren't friendly, etc and that made me a bit nervous. We ended up loving it. Yes, it can be a bit of a trek back to the Ranchos area but it wasn't that bad, and frankly we didn't have to do that often. We loved the big pool, the food was decent at Pepper Market, and we were so close to the bus it was perfect. In fact compared to our stays at POR, it put that bus service to shame.
The next time thoughts, if we travel at this time of year, is to see more of the story tellers in Epcot. Bring bubble wrap for the ornaments, and try more of the seasonal snacks.
The Osbourne Lights were the best highlight of our trip. It was an experience we will never forget. I will miss them.
The memories we made while on this trip were worth every penny. That smile time, laughing and being silly, trying new things, and leaving the cares of the world behind for awhile, is the exact thing we needed to recharge. We bonded.
We knew this would be our last family trip for awhile, so we went big. I don't know when the four of us will be back. I would like to think sooner than later, but before I know it, Preston will be headed to college.
So for now, I am planning a trip this summer with my dad. My brother is surprising him by flying down to meet us there. Tim and I want to take an anniversary trip to either there, or Disneyland, but that isn't until 2017.
Thanks for reading along. Reliving the trip by writing a report is one of my favorite things. So be looking for another one this summer! A much shorter one.
Great wrap up and final thoughts! so much for sharing your family and all your adventures, even the miserable Illuminations dessert party, with us. I totally agree that writing the trip reports is such a great way to relive our trips. Again !
Great final thoughts, I loved hearing about your trip again. I'm glad the Garden Grill breakfast is at the top of the list. I can't wait to try it. Also, future plans need to include Melissa and I for a girls trip.
Thanks for sharing your trip with us as I enjoyed it so much! Sorry, your trip had to end the way it did on the last night with the bad experience at the Illuminations Dessert Party!
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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!
Great wrap up and final thoughts! so much for sharing your family and all your adventures, even the miserable Illuminations dessert party, with us. I totally agree that writing the trip reports is such a great way to relive our trips. Again !
You are welcome! I have loved you commenting and reading along!
Quote:
Originally Posted by xwewhisper
Thanks for sharing your trip!! Great wrap up and glad you had such a wonderful time
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by num1DVCfan
Great final thoughts, I loved hearing about your trip again. I'm glad the Garden Grill breakfast is at the top of the list. I can't wait to try it. Also, future plans need to include Melissa and I for a girls trip.
I can't wait to hear about your experience. Is that one you are doing all 10 of you? And yes, a girls trip is a must!
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperDave
Thanks for sharing your trip with us as I enjoyed it so much! Sorry, your trip had to end the way it did on the last night with the bad experience at the Illuminations Dessert Party!
Thankfully it didn't ruin everything, I just know it isn't for us. It was a wonderful trip otherwise!