"Can I Play on Your iPhone?" A WDW Trip in a Digital Age (May 28 - June 7) - Page 19 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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I still am shocked that PSha hasn't seen any of the SW movies
Maybe she could of caught up on them during Irene...I hope she made it through it OK.
Of course Sharon's fine.... she's in DISNEY WORLD right now! She flew out Saturday morning, right before it hit, for her annual family vacation -- she's got a TR going right now called "Disney is in our DNA"
Of course Sharon's fine.... she's in DISNEY WORLD right now! She flew out Saturday morning, right before it hit, for her annual family vacation -- she's got a TR going right now called "Disney is in our DNA"
Can I just say "Duh"...I knew that since I am reading hers too! I think Irene just messed around with my mind for a little bit... I thin I need coffee...yes coffee will be nice
The BAS said this was to be a lazy, sleep-in morning. And, I know better than to ignore the BAS. But I still couldnt stand staying in bed too much past dawn. What? I already told you I had the Club Level Value Sensor tuned to high. Im all about the value optimization and you cant optimize squat when youre asleep. I think that should become my family motto. Eileen? Can you have your sister translate it into Latin for me?
I got myself dressed enough to get a latte from the lounge. Just wait, I bet Jills got pictures of that too. I grabbed some caffeinated optimized value and went back to the balcony to watch the world stir to life.
I thought it was touching how they had the flags lowered to half-mast for Memorial Day.
About 9, I started doing the wake the teenager clatter dance. You moms to teenagers know which one I mean, right? The one where you bang around, open and close drawers, clang dishes if youve got em, and then the minute your teenager cracks his eye open a smidge you say, Oh good. Youre up. Weve got to get going.
After getting ready to go fairly quickly, Zack and I went to the lounge for a value optimized breakfast. . We had just sat down when we saw blond Koenigs (as if theres any other kind) headed our direction. Theyd already eaten, were totally ready, and were raring to go (even with a lost hairbrush). Well that couldnt stand, especially since we ended up being 10 minutes past schedule when we made it to Epcot a little while later. No way could I be responsible for a delay to the schedule. I figured out a way to blame it on Thom at the time. I dont remember what that was now, but trust me, it was Thoms fault we were late.
When we did make it inside Epcot (10 minutes past schedule because of Thom ), I grabbed everyones park tickets to get Fastpasses for Soarin. Had to get this train back on schedule somehow, didnt I? After a quick hike up Mt. Epcot, I was re-joining the crew in a stinkin line for Finding Nemo. Thom, see what making us 10 minutes late hath wrought?
Actually, it wasnt so much of a line as an influx of people all at the same time. It was clear that there wasnt a wait at the front of the line as the ride operators kept coming over the PA system to tell people to continue to move forward. Unfortunately, that announcement sounded roughly like, Wah, wah, wah wah wah, wah wah, until you got close enough to actually hear their voices. Not so much on the helpful instructions, then.
Since I felt like we were dragging Maddie around a lot and then parking her to the side while we rode the big stuff, I was thrilled to go on a ride that was all about her.
She agreed. (Although it looks like shes thinking, Hurry up! Hurry up! Im going to miss it if you dont freakin hurry up!)
We watched the manatees for just a few minutes. (I love them, but how long can you watch big grey blobs munching lettuce? (Does that sound family board inappropriate to you? It does to me, but Im not sure why. I digress Again Sigh ))
I followed Zack and Mary Devall into the viewing area for the main tank. The three of us stood together spotting stingrays, sharks, Hidden Mickeys, sea turtles, and more fish than you can count.
Seriously, that memory has been like a homing beacon for me the past couple of months. Whenever things get too crazy, I remember that morning and the sweet, sweet relationship between Mary Devall and Zack. Ah crap. Now Im getting all verklempt. Discuss amongst yourselves: A Butterball Turkey is neither made of butter or a ball. (Believe me, I KNOW how lame that is and I worked on it for DAYS.)
There was one big school of fish that kept swimming by our spot. Most of the fish stayed in formation, but one kept breaking form and looking right at Zack and Mary Devall. Zack was sure that hed just stumbled across some genius, missing link fish who was trying to figure out his surroundings. Zack was so fascinated (and stood there long enough to prove it) that he asked if he could write all about this particular fish when it came time in my trip report. I think he mentioned something about a, Three page expose on the plight of the above average intelligence tropical fish trapped in captivity. So, um, yeah. You might have that to look forward to.
The fish in question.
Zack named the fish Larry, and Larry the Fish (along with his arch-nemesis George) occupied a huge junk of our over scheduled Epcot morning. Im guessing that some of you are worried about the status of our touring efficiency versus the BAS (just PRETEND). Never fear, gentle reader! I know my crazy child too well, and these zany diversions are scheduled in. By the time we left the Seas and walked onto Journey into Imagination, we were back on schedule, baby!
I knew that Maddie and Thom (hee!) were both a little afraid of Captain EO, but I figured they could have all kinds of fun in the Imagination labs while the rest of us went to get our Michael Jackson on. For those that havent seen it, I cant explain exactly why I (and Zack) love it so much. It starts out so, so cheesy. But then, when MJ rips open his white leather jacket to reveal his tight rainbow t-shirt (I know. The 10-year-old Karen with the Off the Wall poster is all atwitter too.), exclaims, Woo and begins to dance, it switches to awesome. Just go see it, OK? And if you dont like it, Ill jump all over you and call you a dirty h8r. No pressure.
Maddie and Thom were waiting for us by the fountains out front and we strategized about next steps. Zack and I offered to get FPs for Test Track while the Koenigs went to purchase the newest Canis Lupus member of the family. Wed then be in perfect time to meet at Via Napoli for our lunch ADR. I think Im rubbing off on them.
On the way, we stopped for some photos and a quick stop at Club Cool.
I have to point out that this might have been the most glorious weather day I ever experienced at WDW. I also have to point out that youre seeing Zacks signature pose in some of these shots. Feel free to mock him openly. Maybe, hell knock it off. I shouldnt complain. Last years signature pose had him staring off into the distance while totally turned away from camera. Oy!
After our Test Track FP detour, we worked our way towards Via Napoli and got there just a couple of minutes before the Koenigs. I was super excited to try Via Napoli, and it seriously did not disappoint.
The pitcher of sangria Jill and I shared? Yummy.
The cheese and olive pizza Zack and I shared? Yummy, yummy.
The waiter that I shared begrudgingly with my table and a few others? Yummy, yummy, yummy.
Zack was saving room for a Kaki Gori, I was saving room for some German caramel indulgence (and we were eating in Italy, it was like an Axis powers lunch), but Jill wanted to try the doughnuts for dessert.
Um, yeah. Jill maybe got a bite.
We got a bit of an unhappy surprise with the bill unfortunately. Our server let us know that since today was a holiday, the restaurant wouldnt be honoring the Tables in Wonderland card. Is Memorial Day even a holiday in Italy? Was this a pre-emptive strike for my Axis powers lunch comment? Anyway, Karens Tip of the Day #7: Check the fine print of your Tables in Wonderland card carefully. And, double check with your server before you order 20% more than you should thinking youre getting it for FREE. (Not that anyone does that.)
After settling up, the grown-ups went towards Germany while Zack took the girls HALF WAY ACROSS THE GLOBE! OK, to Japan for Kaki Goris. Check this. We got some delicious caramely goodness from this place
And we got to enjoy a little break from the progeny. Score!
Zack and the girls were back in short order, carrying their little stains in a cup precariously in front of them.
We quarantined them to the bench and let them finish up at a safe distance.
Yup. Yet another signature pose from Zack; this time making fun of the poor guy on the Downtown Disney poster.
Fastpasses were ripe, bellies were full, and after a quick ride on the Friendship boat we were off to the rest of our Epcot adventures.
Up Next: Maddies future career plans MAKE. OUR. TRIP.
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Karen, aka Zack's Mom - Lover of all Things Disney and the San Francisco Giants!
I have to know, if Mary Devall went in alone, how did you get the pictures of her?
The CM's at Star Wars Weekends are super great. Because so many people will be split up from their group to collect a bunch of different autographs, you basically just hand your camera to the CM at the beginning of the interaction and they snap away until you're done.
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Karen, aka Zack's Mom - Lover of all Things Disney and the San Francisco Giants!
Zack really does seem like the coolest kid ever. I am super glad you are posting again, and I hope everything is over with the health scare, and your Dad is on the mend. I know I am happy about more updates!
You might want to check the latest update before you make that first statement definitive. Things are definitely getting better with my Dad. You know that show "Excrement (edited) My Dad Says?" We're getting to the point where we're laughing at "Excrement My Dad Says... on Morphine." Thanks for all the pixies!
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Karen, aka Zack's Mom - Lover of all Things Disney and the San Francisco Giants!
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World Its 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.
Another wonderful update. I'd like to read Zack's treatise on Larry, the Intelligent Fish. And I love your description of Kaki Gori. I do love them, but "little stains in a cup" is perfect!
And, since I haven't read the other report yet (been off the boards almost 2 weeks on vacay), I don't think you're behind Jill in my reading! I will be heading there next, though, so it won't last long!
Continued for your dad, and for your marathon! I've only managed to complete a half, so I am VERY impressed!!
Oh. Don't read Jill's! It would be so nice to be ahead of her for just a bit longer. Kidding of course, you have to read Jill's (just skip over the pictures from Typhoon Lagoon. )
And although it PAINS me to correct Eileen here (and believe me, usually I love correcting Eileen), I'm only doing a half-marathon, the Disneyland Half next Sunday!
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Karen, aka Zack's Mom - Lover of all Things Disney and the San Francisco Giants!
Love Zack's interest in the fish. I'll be on the lookout for Larry and George now. I remember hi poses from last years trip, so I must say I rather enjoy this year's photos better. Good work Zack! Most interesting about the TiW card on holidays... good to know for the future.
And good luck in the Disneyland Half!! I did it last year, and it's good fun. Parts of it a bit dull as you go through the streets Anaheim, but I know you will find the on-street entertainment quite.... entertaining. Have a great time at the race!!!
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Tanya
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And although it PAINS me to correct Eileen here (and believe me, usually I love correcting Eileen), I'm only doing a half-marathon, the Disneyland Half next Sunday!
A glass and a half glass can still be referred to as "a glass."
So, my saying "marathon" is still correct. It's just not SPECIFIC.
Oy!
PS - remind me to teach you how to do the multi-quote thing.
PPS - of course, you can TOTALLY pad your post count doing it this way, but we'll all know... We'll all K-N-O-W!!
Love Zack's poses! My almost 15 year old hasn't smiled for a picture for almost 2 years, so I'd take even a dorky one!!
Good luck in the DL half!!
And I have fond memories of my dad's morphine-induced lunacy - like when he was sure his smiley-face Mylar balloon told him his nurse was planning to assassinate him!
Hmm no TiW on Memorial Day? Sounds like nonsense to me. I'm glad you had a good meal. I have almost added Via Napoli to the uck list. I love that you guys had a great time at Epcot and managed to keep to the BAS. I love the BAS. And just so you know I think Captain EO is awesome. I remember seeing it as a child--and getting lost in the line--props to Disney's awesome lost child practices in this post. I wrote my college entrance essay about getting lost at WDW.
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World Its 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.
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I thin I need coffee...yes coffee will be nice
Our 3 princesses LOVE the RED SOX!!!!
But I still couldnt stand staying in bed too much past dawn. What? I already told you I had the Club Level Value Sensor tuned to high. Im all about the value optimization and you cant optimize squat when youre asleep. I think that should become my family motto. Eileen? Can you have your sister translate it into Latin for me? 
I grabbed some caffeinated optimized value and went back to the balcony to watch the world stir to life.
and got there just a couple of minutes before the Koenigs. I was super excited to try Via Napoli, and it seriously did not disappoint.
I am super glad you are posting again, and I hope everything is over with the health scare, and your Dad is on the mend. 
I know I am happy about more updates! 
for your marathon! I've only managed to complete a half, so I am VERY impressed!!
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