The happiest place on Earth for 28. (TR) - Page 2 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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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So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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Traveling with groups is fun. I went with a GS group of 32 to the British Isles and 48 to GA and Disney World. Your departure sounds familiar.
I wasn't too sure about it at first, but if I ever did it again I would want to be in charge of the details - it's all the little things that get confused and mess things up. Wow, you really traveled to cool places with bigger groups - amazing!
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Originally Posted by cattailmarsh
Better that they asked you than another teacher/chaperone who obviously knew nothing about DL. Mama Disney is kind of catchy!
I was happy that I could answer most questions and give advice and recomendations and it was nice to be recognized for that knowledge.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Mama Disney - I love it! My goodness, you can see why the chaperones are needed, as you're already being well used, what with leaving stuff on the plane. I guess in a big group, there's always going to be someone who needs help.
I was surprised when Sheryl first called me that but it caught on pretty quick, so of fun. Certainly seemed that at least 1 or 2 needed something that day and it was a good thing we were there to help.
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Originally Posted by belle0517
Great start!
Thanks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
Signing on! I'm laughing over much of this so far, as I completely relate. I chaperoned my son's soccer team trip to Italy and Spain. Getting 20 15 yr old boys through all those airports (and keeping track of them in-country) was certainly a bit of a challenge.
Glad you are joining in, I'm glad I made you laugh. I always thought that laughing over some situations is much better crying or getting mad, laughing seems to ease the tension which makes things more manageable and fun. Wow, a international trip with 20 teenagers? I bet it was challenging.
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Maybe I'll change my name, it was really sort of fun, mostly because there was confusion with the students as to what to call me. They called the other chaperones by their first name and the teacher by last name (no Mr. or anything) but I got Ms./Mrs. last name or maam or DD's mom, only one student called me Ms. Bonnie. and I really don't like students using my first name, I'm just from an older generation that doesn't do that. So Mama Disney was cool and the kids and other chaperones liked it so at least everyone except for the teacher had only one name to use which was less confusing. DD thought it was cool because it meant we (her & I ) knew the most about Disney.
Maybe I'll change my name, it was really sort of fun, mostly because there was confusion with the students as to what to call me. They called the other chaperones by their first name and the teacher by last name (no Mr. or anything) but I got Ms./Mrs. last name or maam or DD's mom, only one student called me Ms. Bonnie. and I really don't like students using my first name, I'm just from an older generation that doesn't do that. So Mama Disney was cool and the kids and other chaperones liked it so at least everyone except for the teacher had only one name to use which was less confusing. DD thought it was cool because it meant we (her & I ) knew the most about Disney.
Mama Disney is much more respectful too. I do not agree with calling adults merely a first name unless that is their preferences. And even that should require a notation of respect - I even am teaching my son that our close neighbors & friends are not X,Y,Z but Miss X & Mr. Y, etc.
I was planning on posting yesterday, however, at my lunch I got a frantic call from my DD who was on the way to the bus (public) stop totally freaked out because after her classes at high school she went to the car to find baby spiders inside the car. She is very acrophobic, refused to drive it home so after work I had to go get spiders out of her car ( I'm only a little acrophobic) make sure no more spiders so that she would get in and drive home, needless to say I didn't get home till late and didn't eat dinner until 8pm which is extremely late for me. All that to say is why I didn't get a post done yesterday but I am planning on updating today after work.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cattailmarsh
Mama Disney is much more respectful too. I do not agree with calling adults merely a first name unless that is their preferences. And even that should require a notation of respect - I even am teaching my son that our close neighbors & friends are not X,Y,Z but Miss X & Mr. Y, etc.
I agree with you and that is how I taught my children, I refer to other adults at work by Mr or Ms. ..... in front of students and many of the adults are younger than me but students need to see examples before they will do something which is why I use please and thank you even at home with my family. I think people should not let polietness and respect die which is why I practice it regularly. (sorry, i'll get off my soapbox.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by purplegal
Glad the flight and catching the bus worked out so well, it would be challenging keeping all those kids under control.
In smaller groups they weren't too bad but when we were all together it was more difficult.
After a short wait, our bus arrived and the driver, Mr. E. was very friendly and fun. We loaded suitcases under the bus and climbed aboard. I sat up front so I could see.
DD in pink shirt and red bangs, 2 students on the right and the teacher sitting behind the 2 girls.
We only rode on the bus maybe 10 minutes when we saw the In Out burger where we were supposed to have lunch, I had made a copy of the menu and passed it around so that (hopefully) people wouldn't take forever to order. The driver pulled the bus over to the right side of the road while the In Out was across the street on the left. Mr. E told us he would stop traffic and we could run across. He thought this was the shorted route to cross, although I could see a cross walk about a block up but the teacher seemed okay with the plan. As we got off the bus the teacher handed out $20's and said find a partner. After everyone paired up, we walked to the back of the bus to find a crosswalk painted on the road however there was no light and cars were not slowing down.. Mr. E walked up to us, watched the traffic for a minute and then yelled go! go! , well there was a short break in traffic and the students were already jogging across the first lane. We stopped in the middle for a minute then crossed the second lane.
The restraunt was crazy busy and when we arrived the line for ordering already went halfway around the room so we more than doubled it. As usual I told DD to snag a table, and she found one before I even got within 15 feet of the counter.
Blond with sun glasses is chaperone Sheryl with 5 students lined up behind her.
I decided to order the animal which is not on the menu but when I researched found several items people could order. The animal had mustard as an addition, now I don't normally get mustard on my burger but what I did want was pickles and it was the only burger that had them. Was really good too, I would order it again.
It was hot (85), sunny and slightly humid and I was not in a hurry to leave the air conditioning to sprint back across the road after eating. I think most everyone else felt the same because no one seemed to be in a great hurry. We made it back to the bus and were off to the Grammy museum. After another 15 minute bus ride,
LA freeways, boy am I glad my parents moved to another state before I grew up and had to drive here!
Mr. E found a place to pull over and said he had never been here before but was pretty sure the museum was off that way (pointing off to his right).
We piled off the bus and got into our groups, other groups seemed to be standing around but I wasn't going to do that in the heat. So I told my group "let's go" the teacher came with us, we crossed at the crosswalk and I turned left but we didn't see a sign so went right. By this time other groups had started moving.
That sounds like quite the adventure, crossing the road to get to your lunch stop! I'm not sure I'd have wanted to have done that with such a big group of kids.
That sounds like quite the adventure, crossing the road to get to your lunch stop! I'm not sure I'd have wanted to have done that with such a big group of kids.
It was definitely a concern for me, especially being the 'mom' that I am, and a little scary. I'm glad we all made it safely.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KimmyAnn1147
Yay for pictures. Your DD is the cutest!
Pictures really make a TR. DD is also the sweetest kid, has a big heart.
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.
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My goodness, you can see why the chaperones are needed, as you're already being well used, what with leaving stuff on the plane. I guess in a big group, there's always going to be someone who needs help. 
Alaskan Mom aka Bonnie
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inside the car. She is very acrophobic, refused to drive it home so after work I had to go get spiders out of her car ( I'm only a little acrophobic) make sure no more spiders so that she would get in and drive home, needless to say I didn't get home till late and didn't eat dinner until 8pm which is extremely late for me. All that to say is why I didn't get a post done yesterday but I am planning on updating today after work.
. As we got off the bus the teacher handed out $20's and said find a partner. After everyone paired up, we walked to the back of the bus to find a crosswalk painted on the road however there was no light and cars were not slowing down.
. Mr. E walked up to us, watched the traffic for a minute and then yelled go! go! 
I think most everyone else felt the same because no one seemed to be in a great hurry. We made it back to the bus and were off to the Grammy museum. After another 15 minute bus ride,
PassPorter Guide Author
I'm not sure I'd have wanted to have done that with such a big group of kids.
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