1 Mom, 2 Daughters and 3 Days of Wonder! **Completed 6/29!** - Page 21 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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.
Oh boy, I had to get caught up on quite a few installments! First, I have to say that as being a parent of a child with autism, I look forward to reading your TR. You so acurately describe what living with a child with autism can be like. I know many people can't begin to imagine what that can be like. I think it's good for others to read and can make all more understanding. Often times people would witness a meltdown by my son in public and be looking at me with judgement in their eyes. My favorite quotes of yours are that Emily has "lived with autism for a while" (how true of siblings to children who have autism) and your statement to Emily "it's my job to worry about it". My second son sounds a lot like Emily in that he's always flexible and understanding when we have to adjust our schedule to avoid over stimulation which leads to meltdowns. You are so on top of things with Katie and aware of the signs of impending meltdowns. She is so lucky to have you and Emily. How great that you might be able to take a trip with Emily. I had a mother-son Disney (not DCL though ) with each of my boys. They are some of my favorite WDW memories!
I'm so happy you were able to attend the pirate party. You got GREAT photos!! My fireworks pictures didn't turn out.
Your CC day sounded like so much fun. I loved Emily's amazement that there were waiters on the beach! I think you had the best of both worlds on that day, the perfect blend of beach swimming and pool swimming! We went to the pool on CC day, too, and had it to ourselves. It was such a treat. I love your picture of CC and they flying dutchmen from the ship. I doubt my point and shoot camera will be able to get one that good, but I'm going to try!
I love the pictures of each of the girls all dressed up with Goofy. Hope you get the family picture scanned so we can see it!
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.
Just getting all caught up and it sounds Wonderful! We had a great time at some of the family activities at Studio Sea on our last trip. I love the comments about the waiters on Castaway Cay and Dan from India! Can't wait to read about the rest.
The girls look beautiful in their lovely dresses. Goofy looks pretty good in a tux too . Dance party sounds fun , I'll have to keep my eye out for it on our trip.
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.
LOVE your trip report, it brings back sooo many memories.
__________________
Ohana means family, family means nobody gets left behind. Or forgotten. This is my family. I found it, all on my own. Is little, and broken, but still good. Yeah, still good.
We arrived at Parrot Cay just as they were opening the doors up. It was very warm in there for some reason.
The girls had their usual and I went for a salad with some sort of bacon vinagrette- it was sooo tasty. I had a prime rib for my main course and it was superb.
Emily got this picture of Kate and I while we were waiting for dessert.
Emily was a little more than 2 weeks away from turning 8, so I had arranged for tonight to be her birthday celebration. Our server team brought out her cake with the chocolate ship on top and she was really surprised I think!
As we worked on the cake, we started talking about our trip in general and Emily asked if we had to go back to school on Monday- to which I replied of course! And this is the response I get:
I left our gratuities envelopes on the table and we headed out of Parrot Cay at 9:30. I liked Parrot Cay- it was actually a bit more upscale than I had expected it to be.
Katie was ready for DVD time and Emily wanted to change out of her dress- she and I wanted to make one last trip to Treasure Ketch and Mickey's Mates for the last shopping trip. Once again, Glen had made a wonderful set up for us at turn down service- Emily was delighted with it.
Katie was in her pajamas in no time and watching her DVD's. Emily and I made the shopping trip and were back in the stateroom within 20 minutes or so. Emily changed and hopped in bed, tuning into the Disney Channel. I began the task of packing and I must have cut it really close to the 11:00 set-your-luggage-out task deadline- because Glen came and asked me for it.
I watched the seas out the window for a few minutes before turning in. When we opened our eyes the next morning, we would be home.
Coming Up Next: Off the ship and final thoughts...
A few years ago... ... Oh, alright, several years ago... ... Oh, SHOOT, last century, when I was in school, I would have had that same look on my face at the thought of having to go back after such a great vacation!
It's so cool to get that "Happy Birthday" cake even when you know you're getting it, that I can only imagine the joy Emily must have felt to be surprised!
Love the state room "surprises" that the steward leaves. Always makes the end of another vacation day not quite so painful. Glad you've had such a nice time!
A few years ago... ... Oh, alright, several years ago... ... Oh, SHOOT, last century, when I was in school, I would have had that same look on my face at the thought of having to go back after such a great vacation!
What a great last day...the girls looked like they had a great time in the pool, and having it all to themselves for quite a bit of time must have been great. Love the pictures of Castaway Cay - you got some great shots. Think the afternoon break was what everyone needed since you had a busy night ahead of you.
The girls looked beautiful in their formal attire. Emily looked adorable at the dance party and really seemed to be having the time of her life (esepcially after her dance with Goofy as well).
Loved the picture of you and Katie and dinner...what a smile on her, you can tell she was just having the best time.
I can't believe the trip is over but what a wonderful trip it was - can't wait to hear your final thoughts.
About This Page: 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
PassPorter Guide Author
) with each of my boys. They are some of my favorite WDW memories! 
Michelle
. Dance party sounds fun , I'll have to keep my eye out for it on our trip.
Ohana means family, family means nobody gets left behind. Or forgotten. This is my family. I found it, all on my own. Is little, and broken, but still good. Yeah, still good. 
Where does the time go?
... Oh, alright, several years ago... 
when I was in school, I would have had that same look on my face at the thought of having to go back after such a great vacation! 
Enjoy a Disney Lifestyle......Everyday!
Linear Mode
