Jeffrey made me do it, but it’s almost free for our three!! **Updated 5/19** - Page 20 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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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"We went into the Grand Californian, which wasn’t quite as grand as the Wilderness Lodge, but was welcoming and warm. We then found our way to the Storyteller’s Café well before our 8:00am PS (Priority Seating)."
I was wondering about that. Now I really want to see the wilderness Lodge, But how would one get over there with their wheelchair? Is the boat going over there like the one going to Hollywood Studios? Any one can Answer this if they like.
I could hear your laughing with joy seeing how the characters reacted to Kyle talent and Kyle was having a blast. I laughing too as I was reading your TR.
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Great Update! I'm not surprised that the characters were going crazy over Kyle's Rubik skills. It is very impressive. Has he tried to teach you or Jeffrey how to solve it? As a teacher, that would be a great way to impress the students.
We were at the game store yesterday - shopping for a family game for my sister's family and DH saw the Rubik's cubes on display and decided to 'get one for DS'. I said, "MMMMHHMMM. Sure, its for the 4 year old - just admit you want to play with it! " I can't believe how expensive they've gotten. When we got home, I suggested putting it up and saving it for at least his 5th birthday. In retrospect, I wish we'd have waited and gotten the Disney one! How old was Kyle when he started?
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Countdown to April/May 2014 Boardwalk Inn.....3 Generations trip with my mom (first trip) and DS9 (fourth trip). DS's gonna show his Gramma the world!
Great updates! Just catching up! I am amazed by anyone who has Rubik's skills! I'm going to have to look for a Disney one next week for Brandon's Brother Blake who carries one around with him!
Heather! Kyle amazes me every time he solves it. I bet Blake would a Disney cube! Kyle says it’s a little more challenging because of the design on each face of the cube.
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Originally Posted by Kenny
What on earth will you do with your time?.. Only the Passporter Wizard knows for sure! But I bet we find out!!
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Originally Posted by Kenny
I love the smiles on Kyles face as he works his magic! Too bad Dad got overruled this time!!
Kenny! We soon shall see! It’s nothing too exciting really! Kyle certainly was enjoying all the attention – normally, he likes to avoid it…he says I embarrass him! And, Dad tends to get overruled a lot!
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Originally Posted by chezp
What a fun time at Storytellers - I love what Meeko did with the Rubik's cube! At least you guys got to see all the characters, unlike our visit there.
Cheryl! We had a great time. I still laugh just thinking about it. I was very surprised at what you, Mark & Sharon experienced there on your trip!
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Originally Posted by TNTWheels
I was wondering about that. Now I really want to see the wilderness Lodge, But how would one get over there with their wheelchair? Is the boat going over there like the one going to Hollywood Studios? Any one can Answer this if they like.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TNTWheels
I could hear your laughing with joy seeing how the characters reacted to Kyle talent and Kyle was having a blast. I laughing too as I was reading your TR.
Todd! While I’ve never seen a wheelchair on the boat to WL, I’m pretty sure they could accommodate one, as I’ve seen many strollers and maybe even an ECV on occasion. The boat isn’t quite as big as the boat to DHS, but I think you would be okay getting onto it. (Water levels may come into play.) I’m glad my TR is bringing you some laughter! I to laugh and knowing that I can make other’s laugh makes me smile!
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Originally Posted by disneydani
What an awesome experience at Storytellers Cafe...great character interaction. Kyle has a beautiful expression on his face as he solves the cube.
Danielle! All of you are really making my night right now!
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Originally Posted by Kristen C.
sounds like fun
Kristen!
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Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
What a great breakfast Dyan!! Love the pictures!! More please
Marnie!!
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Originally Posted by dizzparkmom
Has he tried to teach you or Jeffrey how to solve it? As a teacher, that would be a great way to impress the students.
He’s tried to explain it, but I’m still not able to get past solving 1 face, which I already knew how to do. Not so sure how much I would impress my students. They spend more time laughing at me than anything!
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Originally Posted by dizzparkmom
How old was Kyle when he started?
We got him one when he was younger, but I don’t remember when. (I just asked him…he says I got him one for Christmas when he was in 3rd grade) He really didn’t do much with it then. I know he started really messing with it last school year, but I wasn’t sure when. He just told me the beginning of February, but I’m guessing just before Christmas. I’m thinking he could solve it well starting in February. I don’t think any age is too young to start…at least not since seeing a video of a 2 or 3 year old solving one! Kyle mostly learned how to solve it from a guy on YouTube, believe it or not!
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Originally Posted by MyRapunzal
Great pictures! The more I read the more I want to visit California! Can't wait for more!
Melissa! I think you & Rob would have a blast there!
So, we were on our way to spending a full day at DCA! Along the way I stopped to take a few pictures.
I thought this door to WOD was cool. Almost like a work of art.
There were a bunch of these benches off to one side of the esplanade. They were closer to DCA, than DL. I thought they were pretty neat looking.
The walk didn’t take us very long - maybe all of 5 minutes. We decided to head over to Guest Services located by DCA. (not far from those benches – kind of hidden around a little corner – there were very few people over there) The day before, a gentleman saw Jeffrey’s t-shirt or sweatshirt with his fire department logo on it. He mentioned something about a firefighter promotion they were running, where the firefighter and so many relatives could get into the parks for free. He encouraged us to look into it, so we did.
I spoke to a wonderful CM at the window, but it turned out it was only for California residents due to the rough year they had had fighting forest fires. I explained that Jeffrey was a firefighter in Rhode Island and had responded to the Station nightclub fire, but there had been no forest fires in his past. She was very pleasant and we shared a few laughs. She assured me that we had done the right thing to inquire; it just didn’t work out for us. (We can’t complain, we had already scored a deal on the DL website getting 5 days for the cost of 3. Certainly nothing to sneeze at!)
We left there and still had time to kill. So I took pictures of all the letters in front of DCA. I won’t bore you with all of them – just the ones that we’re in.
Kyle & his cube.
I can’t believe Jeffrey actually agreed to do this.
And, me being me.
They finally started letting people in through the turnstiles and we worked out way in, stopping to take more photos along the way.
What you see in front of you as you enter the park – the Golden Gate Bridge. This was a neat feature, as you would see the monorail pass over this throughout the course of the day, when you were in the area. I heard they were removing the bridge, but I can’t remember where I heard that or if it is even true. Not quite sure why they would remove such a beautiful thing.
I also loved the mosaic on either side of the entrance area. I could have sat there and looked at it for hours.
Our first stop was to pick up a FastPass for Soarin’, so we cut through this shop – Engine Ears Toys.
It was a cute little shop, but there was nothing we were really interested in purchasing. Jeffrey is into looking at train stuff (and keeps telling me he’s going to ‘build’ one to run in our house I’m hoping that never comes to fruition – unless he uses all the rescue & fire trucks he has on it! ) We ‘had’ to go in to look at all the train stuff.
This engine was neat to look at. It was pulling a couple of cars, which displayed merchandise.
And, this sign just struck me as another way Disney pays attention to detail.
We left there and arrived at Soarin’ in no time. We really only had plans to get a FastPass and return later, but the line was very short (it looks longer than it actually was – they hadn’t opened it yet) so I got our FastPasses and then we got in line.
The queue really isn’t anything like the queue in WDW. There is a fairly short hallway, that is lined with pictures of aviators over time, and then splits into 2 hallways going left & right. There were no games to play, but the wait was so short and the queue area really was not big enough anyway. It was inspiring to look at the photos that lined the walls.
Soon, we were cleared for take-off.
We enjoyed the ride. The film is exactly the same at in WDW. I love the feeling of freedom that it gives you! We did notice that the smells weren’t as distinct as they are in WDW. The pine scent was pretty strong, but the rest of the scents all tended to blend into one another. I don’t know if it’s just that it’s been running much longer and that will happen, but I do know that all 3 of us noticed it. Still an absolutely wonderful attraction! We really enjoyed that the wait was so much shorter than we are accustomed to.
Since we had seen a good portion of this part of the park already, we had decided to cross back across the main entrance area and head into a portion of the park we had yet to see - the Hollywood Pictures Backlot area.
Up Next: Goodness! Someone’s not TOO hyper this morning!! Any guesses on who that might be?!?!
Those Mickey benches are jsut too cute! Love the letter pics, everyone's personality comes shing through. Glad you could score FP and still hop in a short line for Soarin'....I imagine it will be some time before the line at WDW will be so manageable/
danielle
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~Shoot for the moon, if you miss, you will land among the stars~
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Yay! I got to read two updates in one day! Sweet!
Love the pictures! Those DCA letters would make an awesome scrapbook page! I would soooo have done the same thing! I love Soarin as well! But I have to say, maybe there are like scent cartridges or something because the first time Rob and I rode we didnt even know there were smells at WDW... idunno. LOL!
What a lovely start to the day - sadly, you are right, they are getting rid of the Golden Gate Bridge as part of their revamp of the California Adventure. I also think that's a great shame.
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.
Great update! I think Danielle has it right: Your personalities come out in the letter poses! Too bad about the Firefighters' pass, but that is a good thing for the forest fire fighters out there, they do work hard!
Getting caught up once again Dyan! Loved your Legoland pictures despite the rain. What a spectacular time at Storytellers Cafe! It's come to be my favorite character meal there. Seems like the characters were just awesome for you! Very cool that you finally got the Disney versions of the Rubik's Cube! I love the queue for Soarin' at DCA. More please!!!
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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Heather! Kyle amazes me every time he solves it. I bet Blake would 
a Disney cube! Kyle says it’s a little more challenging because of the design on each face of the cube.
Kyle certainly was enjoying all the attention – normally, he likes to avoid it…he says I embarrass him! 
Kyle mostly learned how to solve it from a guy on YouTube, believe it or not!
) We ‘had’ to go in to look at all the train stuff. 
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