WIZARDS, REAL AND AMAZING, CHRISTMAS PARTIES AND CANDLELIGHT-TR - Page 2 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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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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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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Oh that is so sad about the killer whales - I didn't realise that they would be remaining in captivity until they die. I'm not sure what I thought would happen, now I think about it.
The sea of trees looks beautiful and I can't wait to see them lit up at night.
It is sad. I think Sea World is stuck between a rock and a hard place on that one. . The Sea of trees will be coming up!
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperDave
Looks like a great day at Sea World from the dolphin nursery, Shamu show and various aquariums and exhibits! You've packed in quite a bit on your first day and love the photos. That is quite sad about what will happen with the killer whales, but it seems as there is no other option. It seems there was a lot to see at the various aquariums. Too bad the line for the penguin encounter was so long! I recall an extensive Arctic exhibit I visited in Christchurch, New Zealand and it was quite enjoyable. Lots of penguins to see there as well as interactive experiences, including the enclosed dome with freezing temps and you could slide down small snow and ice hills, which was a lot of fun. I forget the name of the place.
We had a ball!!
Wow! You sure do get around, Dave!! I would love to do something like that!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by DMA
The killer whale show sounds awesome! Funny about the park map! But I agree, sometimes they are just too confusing!
By the way, I love your new signature picture!
It was awesome!!. We did our best with the map but it definitely got the better of Muffin. Thank you!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great time at Sea World! Love the pictures! Glad Finn was okay!
Yes, Tara I love traveling and do at least one major trip each year! I personally think, it keeps you sane overall!
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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!
Yes, Tara I love traveling and do at least one major trip each year! I personally think, it keeps you sane overall!
Me too, Dave!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
Seems like a great day so far! I think jellyfish are so cool.
Glad Finn was quickly healed, but that must have been so scary for his poor parents!
I love jellyfish!! As long as they are behind glass. Sean and Jane were a wreck. I remember how tough your first baby is. Honestly as soon as they told me what had happened, it brought back memories.
Michael and Katie used to play this game where they pulled each other across the bed and Mke pulled Katie's arm out at least three times!
Day 1. Part 3. The best and worst and best again part of the day!!
We arrived at Sea Lion and Otter stadium about 15 minutes early and I am so glad that we did!! There was a mime who came out for a preshow warm up and he was hysterical!! He poked fun at everyone who passed by but in a happy way, not a mean way. We were laughing so hard we were crying. He also involved some of these innocent people by making them dance or hold signs and I must say every single person was great about the whole thing. At the end of his act we had a sing along.
Now it was time for Clyde and Seamore's Countdown to Christmas. This show was so good that I could've sat there and watched it all over again!! It had just the right amount of funny, sweet and amazing!!
The story goes that Clyde was very naughty this year and Seamore is thinking that Santa may not visit. He is very sad. But then! Elfred the Elf appears to save the day!! But!! Clyde and Seamore have a list of tasks they must perform before Santa will visit. The showw also stars Opie the Otter, who is hysterical!!
The hilarious mime!!
When we came out, it was really starting to get dark and the whole park looked gorgeous!! This park may be small but they sure know how to do Christmas!! Muffin once again pulled out the map and tried to follow it! I was
I know the person is blurry but I loved the lights in this photo
Our next show was O Wondrous Night. We eventually made it there despite Muffin's pirate skills and we were really looking forward to this show. When we walked into the theater, we honestly thought it would be like the Candlelight Processional. Now what follows is not meant to be offensive to anyone who saw this show and loved it but I must say!!
This was the most bizarre retelling of the Christmas story that I have ever seen or heard!! Ever!! I know that much of it was geared toward little kids but we just didn't get it. At all! I will try my best to describe what I saw:
The show opened up with a pretty manger scene and we both thought awwwww. Then!
These crazy angels came out and did some kind of rap gospel. Then they incorporated a play into the whole thing complete with puppets and it was all just entirely too much for us. They made it snow in Bethlehem. We lost it at this point and could not stop laughing.
In truth, the last ten minutes of the show were the best. They brought in live animals for the finale, which was a manger scene, and that was pretty awesome! It's just that getting to that point was a little painful.
Anyway! We survived and decided at that point we were getting a little punchy anyway from the long day. We stopped to see a terrific choral group singing carols. We took a walk through the Christmas Wonderland exhibit and then called it a night.
Loved the Minions in the sled!
Did I mention we loved the Minions in the sled?!
We absolutely loved Sea World!! We are so glad that we had the opportunity to see it for the holidays!!
We took a taxi back to Portofino Bay, which cost 25 bucks including a tip. We got back to the resort around 8:30 PM and were hungry and thirsty and we still had to check in and collect our luggage.
We met the most remarkable young man at luggage services who escorted us to our room, helped us with our Express passes and gave us a general rundown on how to get around this beautiful resort!! He was very kind and humble. We wound up tipping him 15 bucks and he was totally worth that!
Portofino Bay is every bit as gorgeous as in the pictures we looked at before we came. We got a beach pool view room with a wonderful view in the West Wing. It was convenient to everything, the bed was so comfy and we loved it!!
The waterfront at Portofino Bay:
A grand tour of our room:
We had two queen beds
After unpacking, we got a second wind and decided to explore the resort a bit. There was an awesome outdoor private event going on and it was nice to listen to the band playing. We couldn't figure out if it was a holiday party or a wedding but it was a ritzy affair!!
We continued our walk around the waterfront area and wound up getting a drink and a sandwich at the Thirsty Fish. Our waitress was Jen and she was a doll! I got a beer and a prosciutto and mozzarella panini and Muffin got a turkey and mustard aioli sandwich and a maker's mark on the rocks. The total cost was 80 bucks including a tip.
Jen
Our drinks. Mine was a Jai Alai IPA
Jen told us this snack mix was spicy. Muffin decided to be brace an try it anyway and literally spit it out! Then he asked me if I wanted to try it!
One of our sandwiches
The other of our sandwiches
I didn't realize until after I took these photos that are sandwiches pretty much looked the same!!. Anyway!
After our relaxing review of our magical day, we were truly spent and went straight to bed.
Today the weather was: 40 degrees when we left PHL., 76 and sunny in Orlando
The best thing today was: Christmas at Sea World
The worst thing today was: O Wondrous night
The funniest thing today was: Muffin getting us lost at Sea World
Today we tried: the Christmas package
And the result was: mixed
The most magical moment today was: seeing the Christmas lights at Sea World at night!
I think I'd have been laughing too during O Wondrous Night, given your description of it. Wow, it sounded a bit far out! Apart from that, it sounds like you had a ball at SeaWorld and Portofino Bay looks amazing as well.
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Sea World looks amazing all decked out for Christmas and they do a great job with the decorations! Glad you enjoyed the shows, except for O Wondrous Night, which was so over the top as I see it! Perhaps, they were trying their own take on the Broadway show "Hamilton?" Your room looks very nice at Portofino Bay!
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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!
I miss one day to have Christmas with my family and you post three updates while I'm away. Sounds like a wonderful day at Sea World, especially getting to see the park decorated for Christmas and lit up at night.
Sea World looked beautiful after dark!
Glad the sandwiches were good, but $80 seemed like a lot of $$ for 2 drinks and 2 sandwiches. Especially with chips rather than fries.
I can see how the Christmas show would've disappointed if you went in thinking Candlelight Processional.
I miss one day to have Christmas with my family and you post three updates while I'm away. Sounds like a wonderful day at Sea World, especially getting to see the park decorated for Christmas and lit up at night.
Well, at least I only do one update a week to make it easier for everyone! It's always tough to catch up with these during this time of year as we're always so busy! I didn't get my update out today.....I may, get a partial out and get the rest later in the week as I think it may be enough! The teaser just will fit in for the next!
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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!
I think I'd have been laughing too during O Wondrous Night, given your description of it. Wow, it sounded a bit far out! Apart from that, it sounds like you had a ball at SeaWorld and Portofino Bay looks amazing as well.
We did have a ball and Portofino Bay isamazing!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by DMA
Sounds like you really enjoyed your day at Sea World!
Yum! The sandwiches and chips looked delicious!
We did and they were!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperDave
Sea World looks amazing all decked out for Christmas and they do a great job with the decorations! Glad you enjoyed the shows, except for O Wondrous Night, which was so over the top as I see it! Perhaps, they were trying their own take on the Broadway show "Hamilton?" Your room looks very nice at Portofino Bay!
Thanks, Dave!!. I am honestly not sure what the heck they were trying to do with that show! Our room was awesome!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
I miss one day to have Christmas with my family and you post three updates while I'm away. Sounds like a wonderful day at Sea World, especially getting to see the park decorated for Christmas and lit up at night.
Just trying to keep things moving!. It was a wonderful day!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
Sea World looked beautiful after dark!
Glad the sandwiches were good, but $80 seemed like a lot of $$ for 2 drinks and 2 sandwiches. Especially with chips rather than fries.
I can see how the Christmas show would've disappointed if you went in thinking Candlelight Processional.
It was gorgeous!! The sandwiches were outrageously expensive but we did enjoy them!! We definitely do. Or need to see that show again!:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nemo125
Just catching onto this TR! What a wonderful and fun-filled day at Sea World!!! Can't wait to read more!
Thank you!!. It was an amazing day!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Glad you had a great time at Sea World! Love the pictures!
This morning, I was up at what would become my usual 6:00 AM once again. I went to Starbucks and got a Skinny Peppermint Mocha and walked around the waterfront taking some photos.
This is where our room was:
The courtyard tree at Portofino Bay:
Muffin slept in until 7:45 AM. By the time he got showered and dressed, it was time to catch the boat launch to Universal Studios. You could tell from the sky that it was going to be another gorgeous day!!.
We got to USF by 8:30 AM and walked around taking in the sights. The first thing we did was get another park map!. This one was much better than Sea World's!
This was one of the Macy's Day Parade floats. They were scattered throughout the park and they were HUGE!!!!
Some morepark pics:
Lew Wasserman:
Another parade float:
Then a few more photos:
Around this time, we checked the map to see where to go next. Only Muffin pulled out the dreaded Sea World map by mistake and we were laughing our fannies off at that!
We made our way to King's Cross. Then we took Hogwart's Express to IOA. The train station was so cool and the ride was even cooler!!
Muffin on Hogwart's Express:
I know these are blurry but I wa ted to show you guys that there was a whole street scene that played on the train window. It looked so real!
Hogsmeade station:
When we got to Hogsmeade, I immediately went in search of a butterbeer and I did not have to roam far to find one!! For those of you who do not know what a butterbeer is, I am happy to tell you!! It is a magical concoction of cream soda topped with butterscotch whipped cream. I swear they put a spell on it because I have tried to make it at home and it just doesn't taste the same!: Anyway!
We had to walk a little way into Hogsmeade, of course, taking some pictures along the way!
I am telling you guys, if you are the least of a Harry Potter fan, Universal has done a fabulous job of making him come to life!! It is a totally immersive experience to walk through Hogsmeade and down Diagon Alley at USF!!
The shop windows were delightful:
Finally, deliciousness!!
My butterbeer was every bit as scrumptious as I remembered it!!
Then we strolled down the alley and went to the wand shop to get Logan's birthday present which we were able to have sent to our room. My goodness the wands are expensive, but he loves Harry Potter and I know it will be a hit!!
Ah, here we are!!
Next we went to Hogwart's and although the attraction is down, we were able to tour the castle and that was pretty neat!! We really thought it would be bogus, but you get to walk through the whole castle right up to the ride and there are some amazing things inside!! We are so glad we did this!!
These guys moved and talked to each other:
Dumbledore himself!!
Then I rode the Flight of the Hippograph which was cute. (Think Barnstormer.)
We stopped to watch some Hogwart's students sing. They were AWESOME!!
We loved The Wizarding World of Harry Potter so much!!! It was magical and there is so much to see here!! But eventually, we had to move on.
Next: Dinosaurs and margaritas!!
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Last edited by Tara O'Hara; 12-19-2016 at 09:11 PM..
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. The Sea of trees will be coming up!
You've packed in quite a bit on your first day and love the photos. 
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He poked fun at everyone who passed by but in a happy way, not a mean way. We were laughing so hard we were crying. He also involved some of these innocent people by making them dance or hold signs and I must say every single person was great about the whole thing. At the end of his act we had a sing along.
Ever!! I know that much of it was geared toward little kids but we just didn't get it. At all! I will try my best to describe what I saw:
I didn't realize until after I took these photos that are sandwiches pretty much looked the same!!
PassPorter Guide Author
The teaser just will fit in for the next! 
:
It was magical and there is so much to see here!! But eventually, we had to move on.
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