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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.

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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!

Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!

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Old 01-16-2006, 06:32 PM   #16
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Re: Midsummer Magic- Pre Trip 1/15/06

Great update Mo!! And congrats on scoring the convertible!!!
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Old 01-16-2006, 06:56 PM   #17
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Re: Midsummer Magic- Pre Trip 1/15/06

Great update!
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Old 01-17-2006, 02:56 PM   #18
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Re: Midsummer Magic- Pre Trip 1/15/06

Great start! And congrats on the convertible! Hurry back with more, please!
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Old 01-17-2006, 08:11 PM   #19
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Re: Midsummer Magic- Updated 1/16/06- Arrival at WDW!

Loving your report so far Maureen! Can't wait for more [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
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Old 01-17-2006, 08:59 PM   #20
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Re: Midsummer Magic- EPCOT evening Update 1/17

July 21, 2005:


Our check in at the Polynesian was as usual very pleasant and we had a CM named Meredith who was so friendly and Disney like she got a mention in my follow up email to Disney after we got home. We were given our leis and I got our requested Tahiti, second floor room. We are usually happy enough to walk to our room but we felt like a ride from one of the Island Guides so we headed back outside to Bell Services.

It took a few minutes to get us a guide but well worth the wait. Sam was very friendly and once he found out we were frequent visitors, actually didn’t bog us down with stuff we already knew. We just chatted instead as he drove us over to the Tahiti building.

Our room was sparkling clean as usual and the view really nice. Interestingly, we were on the corner end, so close to the ferry loading area at the TTC, we could have probably had a conversation with other guests boarding it. The walk to the Great Ceremonial House would be a bit longer than we are used to – as usually we are in Tokelau- but on the flip side, getting to the monorail at the TTC would be a piece of cake.

Before he left, Sam asked about our departure date and told us he would be working Sunday morning, that he hoped to see us then. He was an awesome CM.

Approaching 6:45 or so, Kevan requested the kaluha pork sandwich from Captain Cook’s. He loves this thing and I was happy to find something else to eat- so we headed there. There was practically no one in it! It was a good and very quick meal too- I think from start to finish we were in the place about 25 minutes. Probably not only due to quick preparation but also to the fact that were starving and inhaled everything in record time.

We headed to the atrium, where we took a quick walk through Boutiki, as this was our first glimpse of it. So much better than News from Polynesia and the other apparel stores that were previous to it. Up to the second floor to wait for the monorail- it would be EPCOT and EMH tonight! I had been talking about Soarin’ since returning from the girls trip in May- so needless to say that was first on Kevan’s mind!

Headed straight into the park with not a long wait at all and got our wristbands straightaway. Kevan wanted to see the wait time for Mission Space so we headed first to the Information Center to check out wait times. I about died when Soarin came up on the electronic marquis- at 7:30 it was 110 minutes standby and of course- all the Fastpasses were looooong gone! Kevan was a bit disappointed as was I, but Mission Space looked like 15-20 minutes so I suggested he go on that while I browsed MouseGears. We took our cell phones and he told me he would call when he was done.

I had a grand time at MouseGears by myself- it was deliciously cool in there and they have such a great selection of stuff and most of the time, it’s not so crowded you can’t get by people like at WOD. I contemplated the Stitch backpack but I knew it would be really hot on my back so I decided to skip it. I did find some cute new Stitch pins and picked them up right away.

Kevan called about 20 minutes later and said he was on his way over. After meeting up, we decided to head over to World Showcase and walk around. We stopped for a Photo Pass picture near International Gateway, which turned out pretty cute. Moving on. While we wanted to see Illuminations, I was fine to just stop and watch it wherever we ended up when it began. So we decided to keep walking until close to show time.



We stopped off at the UK for some Cadbury and then went on to France. I checked on Impressions de France- the next showing was about to begin. Angie and Lynn got me in here in May and I forgot what a spectacular film this was- so I dragged Kevan in there ( yes, dragged as he protested). We both enjoyed it and he too, forgot how great the photography was.

Our favorite pavilion is definitely Japan so we headed there next. I first got a Kaki Gori shaved ice and it tasted wonderful. We both love Mitsukoshi so that was next. We picked up a few decorative pieces for our Asian themed bedroom, and then moved on to the grocery portion where Kevan loves looking at the saki sets and dishware.


Browsing Mitsukoshi




We picked up some fun candies for the kids and then headed outside to see if we should try and score some spot for Illuminations. We actually stood on one of the benches near the pagoda- it turned out to be a great view. Illuminations gives me goosebumps every single time- this time was no different.

After Illuminations, we continued our walk around the world. We browsed a few stores in Germany and Norway but then headed back to Future World to try for Test Track or Soarin- hopefully, lines would be better.

Uh, not happening tonight- both Test Track and Soarin still had ridiculously long waits. Instead, we were content to take a ride on Spaceship Earth before calling it a night. It had been a very long day and the tired factor was beginning to creep in.

We caught the monorail before it pulled out and were on our way back to the Poly. We got off at the TTC this time and it was literally 3 or so minutes by the time we reached Tahiti. I love the Polynesian at night- the torches and sounds of the water set the mood perfectly.

I needed a little bit of time to wind down, so I read the Polynesian Press newsletter, then checked out the room service menu and the little breakfast card you can set out the night before. Eureka- show it to Kevan and get breakfast via room service in the am!! We ordered Tonga Toast, potatoes and fruit to share. After a quick shower and call home to check on everyone, lights out and we were out- in seconds.

Coming Up: Now this is the way to eat toast!
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Old 01-17-2006, 09:48 PM   #21
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Re: Midsummer Magic- EPCOT evening Update 1/17

Loving the report! Can't wait to hear more!
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Old 01-17-2006, 11:40 PM   #22
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Re: Midsummer Magic- EPCOT evening Update 1/17

Just got caught up Mo! Amen to HOT in July!! Can't wait to hear more!
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Old 01-18-2006, 02:24 AM   #23
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Re: Midsummer Magic- EPCOT evening Update 1/17

I can't believe that wait for Soarin! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/jawdrop.gif[/img] It sounds like you still had a great evening at Epcot and I love the twilight shot of Japan. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
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Old 01-18-2006, 06:08 AM   #24
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Re: Midsummer Magic- EPCOT evening Update 1/17

Great update Maureen [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img]
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Old 01-18-2006, 02:27 PM   #25
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Re: Midsummer Magic- EPCOT evening Update 1/17

Great update Maureen!!! Sounds like a really fabulous evening!! Can't wait to read more!!
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Old 01-18-2006, 02:42 PM   #26
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Re: Midsummer Magic- EPCOT evening Update 1/17

Sounds like a terrific evening Maureen!! Looking forward to more!
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Old 01-18-2006, 03:47 PM   #27
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Re: Midsummer Magic- EPCOT evening Update 1/17

Great update Maureen, I'm so glad you decided to do this report [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thewave.gif[/img] I can't believe the wait for Soarin [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] I hope you both got to ride it before you went home! More please [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
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Old 01-18-2006, 07:59 PM   #28
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Re: Midsummer Magic- EPCOT evening Update 1/17

SOunds like you had a really nice evening at EPCOT!!
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Old 01-19-2006, 03:39 PM   #29
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Re: Midsummer Magic- EPCOT evening Update 1/17

We are at the Poly almost everyday even though we don't stay there. We walk over from SOG to use the Disney transportation.
I love the ambiance of the Poly. For our first night we always eat at the Kona Cafe . Then we stay for the MK fireworks and EWP. The Poly is sooo romantic. Great TR!
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Old 01-20-2006, 08:10 AM   #30
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Re: Midsummer Magic- EPCOT evening Update 1/17

Hey Maureen! You were there on my birthday(21st)! I know I'm never gonna celebrate my own in WDW cause I just can't stand the heat and crowds, but at least you did!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
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