It’s Always Sunny in California!..Eh?...L’il Bit! - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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
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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.
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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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So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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Nice tour--If I ever get to Disneyland, I think I might've just added that tour to our itinerary!
And those orange dreads were amazing--not a wig, I'm guessing?
it is really a nice tour. yeah those dread were something. LOL
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
I'm not surprised that shot of the castle is one of your favourites - it's lovely!
We will have to do that tour - I've decided that now after reading your report, so for that.
it is a nice tour. The full one does so much more too. I just love that shot. When I got home and saw it I was so excited!
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey
The tour sounds great! I really like your shot of the castle, too!
it was fun!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Baloo
And btw, super-cute dress! That blue is a nice color on you.
Thanks. I posted that picture on facebook back then and so many people asked me where I got it...which was at JC Penneys on clearance for like $7!!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by FanOfMickey
I too love that shot of the caste that is your favorite! It is a great shot
It really was a great shot. I wish all my shots could be like that.
We had worked our way to Opera House, which is where the Disney Gallery is and also Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.
Eric was so good. You always have a few on a tour that ask some strange questions, and today was not exception and he handled it all great.
All too soon our tour ended. Eric apologized for our rushed mini version, but he knew we had a dinner reservation to get to. I really would love to do the full tour with all the extras and I was a bit disappointed we couldn’t, but we did do one of the things I really wanted to and that was to see Walt’s apartment.
We gathered around the front where we first started and waited for the other group. Strange that they were taking longer than us and they had started before us. It was really getting chilly now and I debated going into a store to get a coat, but I didn’t. I was worried as soon as I would pop in the group would leave. And to tell you the truth, Rita was being very strict! A few agents asked if they could go back to their rooms and grab jackets and she was leery to let them go and meet up with us later. She finally let them though. I thought about going, but Cass was in the other group and I wasn’t sure I should leave her and then she would have no clue where I was when she got back. And it wasn’t like the other people really knew who she was to tell her I was gone. So I stayed with the group and sucked it up. LOL. As we were waiting Rita was getting nervous about the other group not being back yet. One person asked if we could just head over there and the rest could meet up with us. NOPE! Rita said we could not walk over unsupervised. I am not sure why??? We are all adults and she had already let a few go to get jackets and meet us there. Finally the other group met up with us and I found Cass. She was not as impressed with her tour. She didn’t care for her guide. She said not only was he not as informative, he wasn’t as good looking either! LOL! I sure did luck out in that department! She said they had to go into Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and watch it. Now I know that isn’t super exciting, but still I have never seen it and I thought that would’ve been neat to see once. I think she might have took a quick nap during it.
With everyone now there, with the exception of a few who ran for jackets, we now proceeded over to CA for our dinner package, which also included World of Color. Tonight we were eating at Wine Country Trattoria. It was busy in there and we had several tables saved for us, but they packed us in like sardines. Basically once you sat, you didn’t want to move again.
We browsed the menu.
We were late and Rita told us all to try and make our minds up fast and for the server to please try to serve us fast. Rita then found her place to sit, which was next to me. Oh no! I have to be on my best behavior. But actually she walked around a lot and mingled with everyone before the food arrived.
We were brought some bread.
I got one of the soups of the day. I think it was minestrone but I don’t remember for sure.
Once Rita sat down next to me I did ask her a few questions. I know how these conferences worked in the past. We have had other co-workers attend them. Now, yes they change a bit each time, but they have some of the basic standards. I asked her why we never got an itinerary before coming and she seemed disgusted about the process as well. She said the person who used to run this program has retired, which I knew as well, and the new girl is basically overwhelmed. They are also trying to change the procedures up a bit and her team is trying to help her, but it’s not going very smoothly yet. Hopefully things are getting better on that side. I do feel bad for the girl in charge, but they really need to get organized fast. They had offered like 6 of these types of conferences that I know of from Jan to April, and in years past I have never seen that many offered in such a short period of time. It’s nice to have choices, but if they can’t get their acts together, they might need to slow done with the offerings until they can. That being said, I was still having a good time and learning as well.
Our main courses came out. I think Cass and I got the same thing. Filet Mignon served with Herb Roasted Potatoes, sautéed green beans and a Bleu Cheese Butter.
Mine was very good and I think Cass enjoyed hers as well. We sat and chatted as we ate, getting to know a few people who sat around us. Now let’s just say I am known for always attracting a few strange ones. I must have a nice vibe to me, or it’s just my luck. There was a girl sitting near us, VERY NICE, but a little odd. We started talking business. I am not a fan of people bragging about their business, especially to those of us in the same field. We all have our own ways of doing things and it is nice to hear others, but when it sounds like bragging I want to just walk away. This girl started talking about something she does in her business and it was not ethical at ALL! When she said what she did, I think my face went white and I had a look of shock…..and at the same time I think I heard Cass’s jaw hit the table on my right side and I am pretty sure Rita’s eyes bugged right out past me on my left. I then waited to see if Rita would say anything about it, but she didn’t. It wasn’t about Rita’s particular product at the moment, so I guess she felt it best not to say anything, but Wow! Let’s just say some people really have some nerve.
Desserts were delivered next. It was a combo plate of Trattoria Tiramisu, European Macaroons, Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Fresh Fruit, & Chocolate Caramel Espresso Tart.
I found out I am not a fan of Macaroons. I think that was the first time I ever had one, and it just wasn’t for me. I also wasn’t a big fan of the panna cotta.
While eating, we were each given a ticket for the special viewing area for World of Color. We were free to go and watch the show and she gave us reminder instructions for the next morning.
It was darn cold now outside. I told Cass I was heading back to our room and changing. She came with me and I think she changed as well. I put on jeans and a sweater and a sweatshirt over that. It felt so nice!
We headed back and got back just before the WoC was to start. The special viewing area wasn’t all that impressive to me. Unless we wanted to go in the wet zone, we had to stand behind a lot of people. Oh well, we had seen it once already and this was a bonus for us.
And of course I still took a lot of pictures.
There was one saving grace on this location! There was a little boy being held by his dad that had Mickey Ears on and he is silhouetted in a lot of my pictures.
Great shots at WOC and the mouse ear silhouette. Now my curiosity is up about the unethical things the other agent said. I have worked with sales people before who thought that it did not matter what you had to do to get the name on the contract. This resulted in a lot of extra work for those who had to clean up the messes (my job.)
Great shots at WOC and the mouse ear silhouette. Now my curiosity is up about the unethical things the other agent said. I have worked with sales people before who thought that it did not matter what you had to do to get the name on the contract. This resulted in a lot of extra work for those who had to clean up the messes (my job.)
Not a fun job - I (sadly) deal with the clean up end at my job as well.
Great pictures Jen!! Dinner looked really good!
__________________
~ Jenn **Disney is REAL LIFE Magic, so much more than optical illusions **
Okay, I now have a million thoughts of what the woman next to you may have said
Love the Mickey silhouette in the photos!
Well basically she was selling something to the client but acting like it was a free perk, but the client was paying for it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MayraLR
Dinner sounded nice.
it was good.
Quote:
Originally Posted by FanOfMickey
Your meal looks delicious!!
I could go for it now!
Quote:
Originally Posted by rhinohunter
Great shots at WOC and the mouse ear silhouette. Now my curiosity is up about the unethical things the other agent said. I have worked with sales people before who thought that it did not matter what you had to do to get the name on the contract. This resulted in a lot of extra work for those who had to clean up the messes (my job.)
Thanks.
Basically she was telling a client that they were getting something as a gift, but they were actually charged for it....thats the quick short version of it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Dinner sounds wonderful - you could've sent the macaroon my way. I'd have happily had it!
I thought of you while I ate it. it wasn't awful, just not my thing. I'll send them your way next time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomhazel
That looks like a lovely meal. Don't tell Cheryl but I'm with you on the macaroons not my favorite either.
Love the pictures of world of colour. I can't wait until we get to see that.
I'll keep that secret!
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey
The Mickey ears did look pretty cool silhouetted againt WOC!
It was a saving grace for those pictures.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TinkerbellJenn99
Not a fun job - I (sadly) deal with the clean up end at my job as well.
Great pictures Jen!! Dinner looked really good!
Some people just don't think....and it makes others in the business look bad then.
And the little boy is back….but this time he is sporting a different hat and it’s not nearly as cute or nice for my pictures!
The show was fabulous once again and I did have a different angle tonight so that was nice as well. We did stand around a bit and wait for the crowds to lessen before fighting our way out.
Once the crowds thinned out we headed back to the GC. I think Cass was going to go to the hot tub to soak her swollen ankles. I just wasn’t feeling it tonight. I went and sat by the outdoor fire for a bit, where I think I messaged a few friends. I then decided to head over to DTD and look in World of Disney. I sent Cass a text telling her what I was doing, but it never did go through.
I was on the lookout to get something special for Claire. I wanted it to be Disneyland related. I walked through the store, which by the way is much smaller than the WDW version and I saw a few things, but nothing was jumping out at me. Finally I decided on a puzzle. We enjoy doing puzzles together and this one had around 500 pieces in it. Just to let you know, when she put it together at home, I was barely allowed to help. She said we can do it again later and I will be allowed to help that time.
I browsed some more as I was also in search of a sweatshirt for myself. If you have followed me over the years, you know I have a slight obsession over sweatshirts and I try to buy at least one each trip. Nothing had been jumping out at me all week so far …but then I saw it, the perfect one! It was navy blue and had Disneyland resort stitched on the back of it. I searched for a large, but couldn’t find one. Every other size but large was there. I tried on an XL and that fit decently. In fact, I think a large would be too small. These seem to run kind of small in my opinion. I then thought, hey I’ll get one for Claire too and then next month with we go to WDW we can wear our matching DL sweatshirts. I got her a medium since they seemed to run small and she is getting so tall. I was so excited with my purchases and I headed back to GC then.
A picture of the elevator floor.
And on my way back to the room.
When I got back to the room I showed Cass my purchases and she said she had seen that sweatshirt too and was thinking of getting it, but she didn’t want to make me mad if she did. I don’t care! If she likes it…buy it!!!! She promised she wouldn’t wear it the same time I wore mine, but again, I don’t really care and heck there are a lot of strangers wearing it out there too!
We then laughed and giggled some more about who knows what. We seemed to be able to find humor in just about anything these days. And after a while we both drifted off to sleep.
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