The "Maybe I'll Actually Complete My Trip Report This Time"--Pre Trip Report - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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.
WDW - August 1997 Off Property
WDW - January 2005 AKL
WDW - May 2006 Pop Century
WDW- november-dec 2007 pop century
WDW- dec/jan 2009/2010 pop century
WDW- oct/nov 2012 art of animation
WDW- sept 2013 port Orleans riverside
WDW- july 2015 beach club
Registered Message Board Members Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
I'm sure that you will have a fantastic trip no matter what. Not long now. Enjoy the anticipation.
__________________
šOš ~*~
Oct '99: CSR ~ May '02: CR ~ Nov '04: SOG ~ May '06: SOG ~ Dec '07: Solo @ Pop ~ May '08: Pop w/friends ~ Oct '08: SOG ~ Dec '09: Pop w/LeAnn ~ Sept '10: Solo @ Pop ~ Spring '11: AKL ~ Jan '12: Pop for 1/2 Marathon ~ Sept '12: 1st trip for DL 1/2 Marathon? ~ Feb '13: Pop w/pals? ~ Mar '13: Tokyo Disney w/PP's?
Registered Message Board Members Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
Wake up is at 4am. This is usually my bed time since I work 6pm to 2am, so hopefully I'll figure a way to get some decent sleep before now. We have to be on the road by 5am most likely for our 7:15 flight. Here's hoping the fact that it's a Sunday will give us zero NY traffic. We take off at 715, landing at 1005am. We have a Budget renal car for $206 all inclusive and its on airport, so that's always good. We can't check into our timeshare until later on so it's going to be straight to WDW.
Our first stop is going to be Beaches & Cream for lunch. I wanted to stop here last year but we never got around to it, so it's a perfect time to try it. I've never been to the BW, BC/YC area before, so I'm sure we'll walk around a bit and check out the resorts here. Afterwards, we're going to head to Epcot to get on Ellen's Universe of Energy because it's going to be closing down for refurb the next day. After that, our afternoon is pretty much up in the air. Maybe we'll catch any attractions that have a short wait, but we'll head back to the hotel probably to check in, maybe catch a nap, etc. We'll be out in full force by nightfall though. We're heading to Hollywood Studios to catch the final night of the Spectacle of Lights which I can't wait for. If the Castle Lights are still up we're going to fly to Magic Kingdom if possible as well. Everything on arrival day is basically free so it's the most "play it by ear" of all our days.
Monday January 5th.
Wake up at 7am and head to Epcot. As everyday we'll be eating breakfast from our bookbag with poptarts, nutragrain bars, or peanut butter sandwiches. It's best for efficiency, cost, and energy. We were at the rope for rope drop last year at Epcot and we plan on being there again. Once the rope drops it's a race to Soarin, but only for fastpasses. Then we're cutting against the grain to get on Test Track and Mission Space. Heading BACK across FW to do Livin with the Land, Nemo, Soarin, and Honey Shrunk Audience. Circle of Life is built in there as well but we skipped in last year, not sure if we'll do it or not. (anyone have an opinion on this show?) We'll grab an early lunch at Sunshine Seasons in this ride grouping as well. After a ride on Spaceship Earth we'll head towards World Showcase an ride the Gran Fiesta Boat Ride (never been on it), Maelstrom (never been on it), and then we'll eat at Akershus at 3pm to see some princesses. I hope the food is good. We'll catch Reflections of China, Tour Germany, Tour Italy, and then catch a boat to Hollywood Studios. Maybe see one attraction, but the main reason is to get seats for the first of only two Fantasmic showings of the week (an atrocity!!!). After the early Fantasmic show, we might boat it right back to Epcot for IllumiNations. We're gonna be crazy this trip!
Tuesday January 6.
Our earliest wake up day because it's Magic Kingdom day! Once again we'll be there for park opening. It's a race to Space Mountain and then Buzz Lightyear. Over to fantasyland we go for Pooh, Snow White, Peter Pan, and Small World. Haunted Mansion and BTMRR followed by POTC. By then it will be time for our lunch ressie at Kona which I'm really really excited for. After Kona, it's back to MK for the rest of adventureland, then philharMagic, Monster's Inc. Dinner at Cosmic Rays, Stitch, TTA, CofP, and then Wishes (not sure if SpectroMagic is going to be on or not).
Wednesday Jan. 7th.
DHS day is here and we're off to the big three. TSM, RnRC, and ToT. Then it's Great Movie Ride and a light lunch at ABC Commisary. See Little Mermaid, Lights Motor Action (never saw it), Muppet Vision, Star Tours, and Indy Jones (haven't seen it in 10 years probably). Magic of Disney Animation, Beauty and the Beast, then dinner at Hollywood Brown Derby. If the park is lightly attended, then we'll try and reride the big three, then its a choice of a nighttime show at MK or Epcot, or maybe go home early and just relax in the jacuzzi because Thursday is a crazy three park day and yes I'll get it all done. Don't doubt the vacation commando in me.
Thursday January 8th.
Today is a completely split day. It's Animal Kingdom for morning, Epcot in the afternoon, and a finish with DHS ESPECIALLY if we missed Fantasmic earlier in the week.
So we arrive at AK and fastpass for E:E. Then it's primeval whirl, Dinosaur, and Kali Rapids (if its not 50 degrees). Flights of Wonder and the jungle trek to follow. Ride our fastpassed Everest. After reviving the scared DGF, we'll drive to Epcot. First thing we're going to try and do is eat lunch at LeCellier. I'll wait an hour if I have to. I don't care. I want to eat in there. Then it's on to the American Adventure, Japan, and Morocco. Watch Impressions de France, tour UK. and see O' Canada. Boat to DHS for Fantasmic. Watch Fantasmic for the final time of this trip and it's back to the hotel.
Friday January 9th
Animal Kingdom day is here, but we conquered some good stuff on our previous day, so we may allow overselves to sleep in. Yay!! Some of my fellow PPs may have convinced me to do a Cape May breakfast though. idk. Arrive at Animal Kingdom around 1130 probably and fastpass the Safari. If we didn't eat, maybe we'll eat at Yak&Yeti CS. Otherwise it's train to Planet Watch, then the Pangani Trail, Ride Kilimajaro, watch Lion King, Finding Nemo, Tough to be a bug, and then head to AKL for our 6pm dinner ressie at Boma. Afterwards we'll head to DTD or home.
Saturday Jan 10.
Universal day is here. My favorite. I missed riding the Hulk last time because Liz chickened out but I thought I could get her on later in the day so I put off riding by myself but she couldn't do it and I missed it entirely. I'm riding one way or another this time!
We're doing both parks in the same day, but I have Universal Express passes so it should be done easily. I'm excited to see how the construction of Harry Potter is going and also to Ride the new Simpsons Ride.
Sunday January 11.
Departure day is here, and it will consist of doing all the things we missed, but first we'll head to MK bright and early for Crystal Palace breakfast at 8:10am. I'm excited to get pictures of and on Main Street while it's completely empty.
Our flight is at 715pm, so we'll just check out the random things we missed or maybe go see some resorts. It's open ended just like arrival day. Our trip is going to be jam packed with things to do, so I'll need a vacation from my vacation I'm sure.
Sound like a trip. Not long to go. I hope you get some sleep so that you're ready for your trip. Maybe plan on catching some zzzzz's on the plane.
__________________
šOš ~*~
Oct '99: CSR ~ May '02: CR ~ Nov '04: SOG ~ May '06: SOG ~ Dec '07: Solo @ Pop ~ May '08: Pop w/friends ~ Oct '08: SOG ~ Dec '09: Pop w/LeAnn ~ Sept '10: Solo @ Pop ~ Spring '11: AKL ~ Jan '12: Pop for 1/2 Marathon ~ Sept '12: 1st trip for DL 1/2 Marathon? ~ Feb '13: Pop w/pals? ~ Mar '13: Tokyo Disney w/PP's?
OK, if you're old at 25, I don't even want to think about me!!! Sounds like you have some terrific plans. Boma is one of my favorites! Hope you are able to see the castle lights and some of the other holiday fanfare. It won't be long now!
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.
Congrats on becoming a NYC police officer. I hope you make detective soon.
Your plans sound great. Hope you and DGF have a wonderful time in the World.
You will be there on my birthday, I am so jealous. Yes, if you are old at 25 then I am really going to be old at 35 on my birthday.
Can't wait to read all about when you return. Have a wonderful and safe trip.
šOš ~*~
Oct '99: CSR ~ May '02: CR ~ Nov '04: SOG ~ May '06: SOG ~ Dec '07: Solo @ Pop ~ May '08: Pop w/friends ~ Oct '08: SOG ~ Dec '09: Pop w/LeAnn ~ Sept '10: Solo @ Pop ~ Spring '11: AKL ~ Jan '12: Pop for 1/2 Marathon ~ Sept '12: 1st trip for DL 1/2 Marathon? ~ Feb '13: Pop w/pals? ~ Mar '13: Tokyo Disney w/PP's?
Well we leave in less than 14 hours. I had a late night arrest last night, so I didn't get home until 9am this morning and I decided not to sleep, so I'm running on empty. I still have to pack, but I have all my things set aside. I'm running out to the store now for a few extra toiletries and batteries. I'm always a last minute guy. We're checked in online for JetBlue...We have all our confirmation numbers printed out. We're ready to rock and roll....I might check in with you guys while I'm down there, if not. I'll talk to everyone when I come home Sunday night LATE.
The weather looks good so far with low 80s for the first few days, and mid 70s the rest of the trip. Currently only one day of showers. The night time lows look a little brisk. I don't mind, but hopefully Liz will be okay. She gets cold, but I told her that low 50s will feel warm to her because we've been in the 20s for a month it seems.
Everyone have a Happy New Year, be safe, and if anyone else is in Florida or on vacation have fun.
Have an awesome trip! And if Liz gets cold ~ perfect excuse to pick up new hoodie.
__________________
šOš ~*~
Oct '99: CSR ~ May '02: CR ~ Nov '04: SOG ~ May '06: SOG ~ Dec '07: Solo @ Pop ~ May '08: Pop w/friends ~ Oct '08: SOG ~ Dec '09: Pop w/LeAnn ~ Sept '10: Solo @ Pop ~ Spring '11: AKL ~ Jan '12: Pop for 1/2 Marathon ~ Sept '12: 1st trip for DL 1/2 Marathon? ~ Feb '13: Pop w/pals? ~ Mar '13: Tokyo Disney w/PP's?
Have an awesome trip! And if Liz gets cold ~ perfect excuse to pick up new hoodie.
Yes, I agree. When I got cold on our Dec 07 trip, I used it as an excuse to buy a sweatshirt.
Hope you guys have a wonderful time. Can't wait to read about it when you return.