First Ever Disneyland Trip Updated 10/13 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
Cool WDW memorabilia!! I wish I would have saved some stuff like that from my first visit in 1989.
It was fun to rediscover these. We pull out our 1997 photo album every now and then and are amazed at the difference in the park maps.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KimmyAnn1147
Mini-hijack here...Don't let the flakiness of the Disneyland info deter you. It's just not that big of a thing to do a ton of planning before a trip to DL. With the exception of Blue Bayou and possibly Carathy Circle, even ADRs don't seem to be very necessary to get right at the beginning of the ressie window. It's still the happiest place on earth! But yeah, not a lot to keep us planning junkies busy, that's true.
I have been told that the ADRs are pretty easy to get, but my planning mode doesn't seem to know what to think when I can't do anything. If the website didn't say I could book at 60 days, I probably wouldn't be annoyed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Roxie2006
We also live on back country roads. All the photos are great. Your memorabilia is awesome. I love going back in time.
With the exception of "Funky Town" it sounds really peaceful but still close enough to the 'city' accommodations.
And how neat to find the stuff from your first trip! I don't think I have anything, except for pictures of mine.
I have very few pictures from the first trip as the cost of developing was expensive back then. So it is nice now to have the guidebook, too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jandsdennis
what a great place to walk. we have many walking trails where we live and thoroughly enjoy them. So peaceful. Nice to live close to civilization too. Best of both worlds. Ill be since retiring you are able to enjoy them even more.
I'm not sure we were ever on more than a mile of our city/county walking trails before we retired. We definitely take advantage of these now.
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.
Monday, August 24 -- Counter Service Options for Disneyland
I did my usual check of the Disneyland website for those elusive dining package ADRs. Nothing yet and no additional days with park hours past October 3. We are now 43 days from arrival, and I’d just like these last details settled so I can map out our other plans.
Over the past couple of days I decided to look over information about the counter service spots at both Disneyland and California Adventure. Since we’ve never been to either park, I thought it would be nice to know which ones might appeal to us rather than just walking in at random. I also checked for which ones had the DVC discount. There are a whole lot of options. Below is the first list.
Disneyland
Ø Bengal Barbecue in Adventureland – beef, chicken, and veggie skewers; jalapeno stuffed pretzels [DVC discount]. I love skewers and Luke loves anything with jalapenos.
Ø Clarabelle’s in Mickey’s Toontown – sandwiches, salads, and ice cream [DVC discount]. Those of you who have read my previous WDW TRs will know that Luke and I love ice cream.
Ø Daisy’s Diner in Mickey’s Toontown – pizza (considered subpar with no place to sit) [DVC discount]. This one doesn’t really look too promising based on guest reviews.
Ø Edelweiss Snacks in Fantasyland – chimichangas. My favorite Mexican food is the chimichangas.
Ø French Market Restaurant in New Orleans Square – Cajun/Creole; Po Boy Sandwiches [DVC discount]. Luke loves Cajun/Creole cuisine, especially Po Boy Sandwiches.
Ø Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor in Main Street U.S.A. – ice cream. Ditto on ice cream.
Ø Harbour Galley in Critter Country – soups in sourdough bread bowls [DVC discount]. This one sounded very interesting and soup might be very good in October.
Ø Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country – chili cheeseburger with fried onion ring [DVC discount] Luke enjoys a good specialty burger.
Ø Jolly Holiday Bakery in Main Street U.S.A. – grilled cheese and tomato soup [DVC discount]. One of my favorite fall/winter meals is a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. I also enjoy this meal in the spring and summer, too.
Ø Market House in Main Street U.S.A. – Starbucks. We have some gift cards so Luke can get his morning coffee and I’ll probably grab a pastry for breakfast at least one day.
Ø Mint Julep Bar in New Orleans Square – Beignets. I discovered these the first time we visited New Orleans.
Ø Plaza Inn in Main Street U.S.A. – This one is questionable as nothing on the menu really sounded that appealing and there is no discount.
Ø Pluto’s Dog House in Mickey’s Toontown – no seating [DVC discount]. We both like hot dogs.
Ø Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante in Frontierland – Mexican [DVC discount]. We usually eat Mexican at least once a week.
Ø Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port in Tomorrowland – cafeteria style [DVC discount]. I’m not fond of cafeteria style and reviews were mixed on this one.
Ø Refreshment Corner in Main Street U.S.A. – hot dogs; Dapper Dans or pianist may be serenading on the patio [DVC discount]. The fact that the Dapper Dans might be singing made this one a good possibility.
Ø River Belle Terrace in Frontierland – Mickey pancakes for breakfast [DVC discount]. Sounds like my kind of start to the day.
Ø Royal Street Veranda in New Orleans Square – gumbo [DVC discount]. Gumbo is popular around here and we like it.
Ø Stage Door Café in Frontierland – funnel cake [DVC discount]. Funnel cake just feels like fall to me.
Ø The Golden Horseshoe in Frontierland – live entertainment with fair fried foods [DVC discount]. This is another place that sounds fun.
Ø Tiki Juice Bar in Adventureland – Dole Whip. Every trip needs at least one Dole Whip.
Ø Tomorrowland Terrace in Tomorrowland – French Toast for breakfast [DVC discount]. This sounds like another good start to the day.
Ø Troubadour Tavern in Fantasyland – bratwurst with sauerkraut [DVC discount]. One of Luke’s favorite meals.
Ø Village Haus Restaurant in Fantasyland – flatbread pizza; pastrami cheeseburger [DVC discount]. This one reminded me of Pinocchio’s Village Haus at WDW.
NEXT: California Adventure Counter Service Options
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.
The CS options look good considering the way the ADRs are going at this point! When you can finally get the ADRs you may need some hard meds and perhaps a few visits to a psychiatrist, after what you have been dealing with of late! As Dorothy once said...."I don't think we're in Kansas anymore!"
__________________
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!
Here's my two cents, based on the ones we ate at...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Bengal Barbecue in Adventureland – beef, chicken, and veggie skewers; jalapeno stuffed pretzels [DVC discount]. I love skewers and Luke loves anything with jalapenos.
I wanted to try this one as I love skewers, but it didn't seem to have any seating. I suppose you could take the food somewhere else where there is seating.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
French Market Restaurant in New Orleans Square – Cajun/Creole; Po Boy Sandwiches [DVC discount]. Luke loves Cajun/Creole cuisine, especially Po Boy Sandwiches.
We had a really good French Dip sandwich here! Also, the Diamond Anniversary chocolate cake was to die for! Layers of chocolate cake, mousse, ganache, with mango and raspberry fillings. Yum!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Jolly Holiday Bakery in Main Street U.S.A. – grilled cheese and tomato soup [DVC discount]. One of my favorite fall/winter meals is a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. I also enjoy this meal in the spring and summer, too.
Everyone in my family (except me) had the grilled cheese and tomato soup and loved it! I tried a spoonful of the soup and it was really good! I got a roast beef sandwich that was just kind of okay. Another time, I got a cinnamon roll that was honestly the most decadent cinnamon roll I've ever had. It was drowning in sugary glaze. So good!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Mint Julep Bar in New Orleans Square – Beignets. I discovered these the first time we visited New Orleans.
The beignets were delicious (and Mickey shaped). However, none of us liked the mint julep... it was kind of weird and tasted like medicine. If you like beignets, the ones at Ralph Brennan's Express in Downtown Disney were even better.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Plaza Inn in Main Street U.S.A. – This one is questionable as nothing on the menu really sounded that appealing and there is no discount.
The fried chicken here was excellent!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Royal Street Veranda in New Orleans Square – gumbo [DVC discount]. Gumbo is popular around here and we like it.
My DS got the gumbo and really liked it. I tried a spoonful and also thought it was good.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Tiki Juice Bar in Adventureland – Dole Whip. Every trip needs at least one Dole Whip.
I wholeheartedly agree that every trip needs at least one Dole Whip. The line here always seemed to be long, but I have a tip for you. The waiting area for the Enchanted Tiki Room has its own (much shorter) line for the Dole Whip stand, and you can bring them into the show!
I can't wait to hear which ones you end up eating at!
Bengal BBQ - yum! We tried all the skewers except for the spicy chicken.
Mint Julep Bar - Mickey Beignets! Beware, the long can be long and slow in the morning, at least that was our experience. We returned later in the day and it was much quicker.
Dole Whips - I loved getting a Dole Whip and waiting for the Tiki Room. You can bring them into the show too, but we finished ours before the show started. That's something I wish they would do at WDW.
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.
I really enjoyed the pics of your neighborhood and your memorabilia. It reinforces my desire to save Disney ephemera, because I really enjoy seeing how their presentations have changed over the years.
Wow, that CS list is going to come in handy for me!
We usually pack our own snacks and eat at the rental house, but I do have some experience, plus I've been reading lots of blogs so I can give you the opinions of other folks as well.
Ø Clarabelle’s in Mickey’s Toontown – sandwiches, salads, and ice cream [DVC discount]. Those of you who have read my previous WDW TRs will know that Luke and I love ice cream. I hear very good things about the Clarabelle's on BV avenue at CA. Ø Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor in Main Street U.S.A. – ice cream. Ditto on ice cream. My suggestion is to put one of you in line, and leave the other to hover around the indoor tables by the window. We had lots of fun people-watching from this spot. Even had some guests joke around with us, miming that they want bites. The sundaes are huge, DS and I split one and ended up throwing one away. This is not normal icecream behavior for my family. I recommend splitting. Ø Harbour Galley in Critter Country – soups in sourdough bread bowls [DVC discount]. This one sounded very interesting and soup might be very good in October. This is my go-to late night snack. It's possible to get away from the hustle and bustle if you go to the side of building, near the water. There are a few tables back there. Our family "copped a squat" along the back side here: The blue building is the water side of the Harbour Galley kitchen. There's a curb comfortable to side on just under the Fowler's Inn sign, it's a great hang out spot where no one but CM's seem to pass. There are more trails down further as well, but this spot was great if you and Luke are ok on a curb-level perch. One of my best Disneyland moments of my trip last year! Ø Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country – chili cheeseburger with fried onion ring [DVC discount] Luke enjoys a good specialty burger.The fried green tomato sandwich gets raves. I haven't eaten here since I was 13, but it's on my list for my Dec trip. The atmosphere is AWESOME, never seems crowded, and I love burgers! The prices are reasonable for the portion size, from what I remember and am reading now. Ø Market House in Main Street U.S.A. – Starbucks. We have some gift cards so Luke can get his morning coffee and I’ll probably grab a pastry for breakfast at least one day. Be prepared to WAIT if you want morning coffee here. Good place for one of you to go while the other holds a spot at rope drop. Ø Plaza Inn in Main Street U.S.A. – This one is questionable as nothing on the menu really sounded that appealing and there is no discount. Many report this is the best fried chicken anywhere either in or outside of Disney Parks. Large portions, you can split.
Ø Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante in Frontierland – Mexican [DVC discount]. We usually eat Mexican at least once a week. Good reviews, atmosphere looks nice. Tom Bricker (disneytouristblog.com) rates this the best place for a cheap date in the park.
Ø Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port in Tomorrowland – cafeteria style [DVC discount]. I’m not fond of cafeteria style and reviews were mixed on this one.Bad reviews, avoid. Ø Tiki Juice Bar in Adventureland – Dole Whip. Every trip needs at least one Dole Whip. Needs no introduction! Quicker to order from inside the Tiki Room waiting area. Ø Village Haus Restaurant in Fantasyland – flatbread pizza; pastrami cheeseburger [DVC discount]. This one reminded me of Pinocchio’s Village Haus at WDW. I'm hearing very good things about this place at this point. The flatbreads look small to me but many posters say that the quality is high and has improved over the years.
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.
About This Page: 
. Your memorabilia is awesome. I love going back in time.
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
I love looking at old Disney stuff, too. 
When you can finally get the ADRs you may need some hard meds and perhaps a few visits to a psychiatrist, after what you have been dealing with of late! 
As Dorothy once said...."I don't think we're in Kansas anymore!" 
Dreams, Wishes, Hopes... these are the parts of childhood we should never lose.
Quite a shock!
Linear Mode
