The Holi-Canoli! Whirlwind Trip That Wasn't Supposed to Be - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
Well, I had this all typed up and ready to send, and I hit a button and it disappeared, so I'm having to start all over again.
Let me see...where was I? Oh yes! It has been a crazy 24-hours! I've planned, I've booked, I've gone a little crazy , but I'm going back to WDW! And the best part is, I'm going with my DH!!! Nothing can get me down.
So, you know how this trip came about. Let me give you a brief intro.
Cast of Characters:
DH, Michael, 36 - He enjoys Disney in moderation. He is currently deployed and is really needing some Disney during his R&R. I am more than happy to oblige. I don't know how many times he went to WDW as a child, but as a family, we have been to WDW four times and DLR once.
Me, Laura, 38 - I love everything Disney! I could live at Disney. I'm the planner of all vacations, and my DH lets me have full reins. He never makes requests as he knows he always has a good time with whatever I plan. The only requests he has made for this trip is some of my cooking and time to simply chill. I will certainly make that happen for him! I have been to WDW eight times and DLR once.
DD, Victoria, 14 turning 15 on this trip - She loves Disney almost as much as I do. This trip will be a complete surprise to her. She thinks we're picking up daddy in Dallas. She has been to WDW four times and DLR once.
WHERE:
We have reservations for two weeks at a resort off-site. I would stay on-site every time, but I needed to make this trip as inexpensive as possible due to having three trips to WDW within seven months. I booked a beautiful resort two miles from the WDW gate. It has its own water park, tennis courts, golf course, and over 1200 square feet of space in our suite! You can't beat that!
WHEN:
Due to Army security, I'm not giving specific dates. That's a laugh! I don't have any specific dates! DH won't know exactly when he'll be at MCO. Talk about crazy planning! I have booked the resort on the "hope" that he will be there at that time. Geez!
DD and I will be driving down and staying with my aunt and uncle along the way. Since this trip is a surprise for Victoria, I'll tell her we are going to visit family, and we will. It will be nice to have our own car in Orlando. I'll be grocery shopping because I will be sure to fix some of Michael's favorite meals while we are there. Plus, Michael loves to drive and has missed having the freedom to do so in Iraq. He will enjoy driving around.
Speaking of driving around, I'm thinking about booking the Richard Petty Rookie Driving Experience at the Disney Racetrack. Michael loves driving anything, and I think he will get a thrill out of learning to drive a race car. I'm still thinking about it and doing my research, but it is looking very probable. It would be a big surprise for him.
I have made some ADRs, too, and was very pleased with the results. Most are at resorts because we will only go into the parks five days. Michael's Armed Forces Salute Ticket comes with a five-day park hopper and five-day water parks and more. DD and I will get the companion tickets and upgrade to the hopper and water parks and more so we can go to the water parks for the first time ever! Plus, we have always wanted to go back to DisneyQuest. It will be a great time to do it.
Our ADRs - Once again, I'm not giving specific dates. Biergarten for lunch - None of us has been here. I'm looking forward to it. 1900 Park Fare for breakfast - DD and I are going here for dinner in September, but since we all like Alice and the Mad Hatter, I thought breakfast might be nice with those characters. It will be DH's first time eating here. The Plaza for lunch - I can't wait to eat here. I ate here as a child. My dad took my sister and me to WDW after our mom died, and I remembering eating breakfast outside back in 1982. It was a lovely day, and I have very fond memories of this place. I haven't been back since. I look forward to eating here with my two favorite people. Trails End for lunch - We have never been here, and I picked it to get my DH some down home cookin'! Chef Mickey's for dinner - This will be a first for DD and me in September. So, this will will be a first for my DH. 50's Prime Time for lunch - More down home cookin'! T-Rex for dinner - This will be a first for all of us! O'hana for dinner - I have wanted to eat here for a long time. It will be a first for all of us.
So, that about does it. We will be chilling by the pool a lot, taking in some water parks, exploring other resorts, but most of all, spending time with Michael. That's the best of all!
Coming up: Did I mention we will be celebrating DD's birthday while we are there?
Dontcha just love OPSEC? I'm only joking, as I thoroughly support this with my son being deployed right now.
Plans and ADRs sound great - who cares about the dates anyway! I'm looking forward to seeing how you all like staying off-site. And seeing what you think of the water parks.
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.
How great that it all came together for you!! Disney 3 times in 7 months and time with your DH, and a surprise for your DD. Fabulous!! I'm enjoying reading this...now I'm hopping over to your other TR to catch up there.
I didn't realize it would be a surprise for your daughter - that part sounds great! Your plans sound nice, although I would mention one thing - have you double-checked the menu for lunch at Trail's End? Because the last I heard, they only do a cold buffet at lunch - soups, salads, sandwiches, etc. So if you're looking for their regular down-home food you might want to call back and change to dinner. Unless they've gone back to a full menu at lunch. Oh, and - water parks for the first time - that will be fun!
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.
have you double-checked the menu for lunch at Trail's End? Because the last I heard, they only do a cold buffet at lunch - soups, salads, sandwiches, etc. So if you're looking for their regular down-home food you might want to call back and change to dinner. Unless they've gone back to a full menu at lunch.
I hope not! I went by the menu on AllEars. Anyone know if it has changed? That would be sad.
Comparing this blog post with the current menu on All Ears, it sounds like they have added a few items, such as the pulled pork and macaroni and cheese. But I'm still not sure that it is the full menu that they used to serve. At least it sounds much more limited than what the menu says they offer for dinner.
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.
Very dining choices!
I gave Luke the Ride Along Richard Petty Driving Experience a couple of years ago for Father's Day, and he loved it, but the next time I'm footing the bill for the Rookie Experience as he'd really love to do the driving himself.
I see what you are saying, Christie. I didn't realize the fried chicken was cold. Well, we'll try it out. We love salads, so a nice selection of salads will be good. Thanks for that information.
I have a dumb question...with you and your DD going 3 times in 7 months would it be better for the two of you to upgrade to AP's while you are down there in Sept? I dont know if it is cheaper to buy them or to just get tickets each time you go. but I thought I would ask the dumb question.
I hope that the 3 of you have a great time. And like it was said tell your DH thank you for serving and protecting all of us.
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.
About This Page: 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
And the best part is, I'm going with my DH!!! 
Nothing can get me down.
I will certainly make that happen for him! I have been to WDW eight times and DLR once.
She has been to WDW four times and DLR once.
You can't beat that!
Talk about crazy planning! I have booked the resort on the "hope" that he will be there at that time. Geez!
dining choices! 
Kimberly
PassPorter Guide Author
Enjoy a Disney Lifestyle......Everyday!
Linear Mode
