An Animal Kingdom State of Being with Cam and Fam COMPLETED 9/18 - Page 23 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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
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Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
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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.
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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Wait, you went the ENTIRE day without doing WWOHP???
Isn't the Simpsons Ride neat? I've ridden it at US California, and it's so much fun! And poor Luke, you should've trusted him about the Mummy ride - that one is fabulous!
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Saturday, October 9, 2014 - Kaitlyn and I before the Happy Haunted 5K at ESPN Wide World of Sports
What a great day you guys had! And no better way to end a great day than with ice cream!
I love all of your new shirts!
You mentioned that you might eventually download the HP books on your Nook. Well, I tried and so far they are not available. Maybe in the future?
I am so looking forward to your next installment!
Ice cream is always a great end to a hot day! I hadn't even checked about the HP ebooks, but I was happy to see Jodi's post below.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lazanya
Great update! I love Stefanie's "Coke Grease". That is too funny!
I just recently heard that the HP series will be sold as ebooks through a website/platform. Here's a link about it BBC News - Harry Potter series to be sold as e-books Pretty cool for all the HP fans out there!
I will definitely have to get them for my Nook.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MilyD
Had to pop in to say I enjoyed my Stephanie phone call last week - and our follow up conversation Wednesday! She has strict instructions to bring her scrapbook when it is finished so we can see it.
And, Noelle loves her "new" Tink backpack. She's already decided it is her WDW bag this year. I have a feeling she'll start packing it long before October!
That Tink backpack made three trips to WDW for Stefanie and so it has all kinds of experience.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Huntermom
Just caught up. Thank Stefanie for her usual wonderful words. Today, I really needed something to make me smile. I may add coke grease to my vocabulary.
You made me think of a Stefanism that has become a daily part of our family vocabulary. One night after we had eaten out, Stefanie asked me if I was thirsty. I told her no as I still had some of my drink from the restaurant. She did, too. I asked her if something was wrong with her drink and she said it was "Saddlecrap!" Luke and I looked at each other and tried to figure out what that was as she sometimes confuses words, such as after I used to tease her that she was my little heathen, she would call people evens. We finally gave up and asked her what "saddlecrap" meant. She said, "My coke taste like that stuff Mamaw cooks." And the lightbulb went on -- Sauerkraut. But now anything that is just a bit off is referred to a saddlecrap at the Matthew's house. We've gotten funny looks when we use it in public, but we find the word to work quite well for us.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Principessa_di_Fata
Wish all the characters were interactive like Donkey. I bet he was a riot!! Did he sound just like Eddie Murphy?
He did sound just like Eddie Murphy!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lfredsbo
OMG!!! I so to meet Donkey!!!!! He sounds so stinkin' cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And that Stephanie - she CRACKS me up!!!!!!! coke grease............."I'm not normal"............what a hoot!!!!
And that Earthquake drink......................yummy!!!!!!!!!!!
Sounds like you guys are having a fantastic day - other than the less than thrilling shows/rides
We so wanted to go to US on this next trip - but not sure that we will make it over with DD's knee..........we will play it by ear!
Sending that you still get a day at US!
Quote:
Originally Posted by eff051102
I just love your updates! My DD(3) also loves Curious George and I showed her
your pics. Her 3rd birthday was Curious George. This year it's a Madeline party.
Can't wait to read all about your Harry Potter experience.
Stefanie loved Madeline; in fact, she used to have a Madeline doll that she just adored.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilovedisney0_0
Wait, you went the ENTIRE day without doing WWOHP???
Isn't the Simpsons Ride neat? I've ridden it at US California, and it's so much fun! And poor Luke, you should've trusted him about the Mummy ride - that one is fabulous!
I'm a big chicken on rides by myself.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles!
All caught up! What a great time you had outside the bubble! And the WWoHP up next! I can't wait for your pictures!
Do you know when in June you'll be going next year? We'll be ther for the first few days and hope we can run into you again.
We don't have definite plans yet, but my last possible makeup day for bad weather is June 1. We will possibly leave June 2 or 3.
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What will I think of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter?
June 6 Part 1
At 6:30 Luke’s iPhone alarm sounds with a very weird little tone, but it worked to get us all up and started for an early morning at Islands of Adventure for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We were headed to the water taxis by 7:45. We did have a bit of a wait at the bock, but then we were on our way to IoA.
Luke and I instantly liked this park better than US as the theming was more visible. Once we entered the park, we began the trek with the masses to WWoHP. When it was finally visible, I was filled with awe, wonder, and a few tears. Quite an accomplishment to make us Muggles feel we’ve truly entered the wizarding realm.
First in my plan was a visit to Ollivander’s Wand Shop, though it was tempting to keep walking straight to Forbidden Journey with the crowd. But folks here had advised that the line at Ollivander’s would get ridiculously long fast, so I stuck to the plan.
Photos from the line at Ollivander’s:
I love how it's prepetually the holiday season at Hogsmeade.
View of the castle from Ollivander's line
The crowd moving into WWoHP while we waited at Ollivander's
Which direction do we go?
Ollivander's sign is so !
The show inside with Ollivander is so cute and sweet, and after watching the first HP movie in the Parent Swap waiting area, I was reminded of how true to that movie it was. So much fun! When we enter the shop proper, I met a TM (US name for cast members, but I’ve no idea what it stands for) who explained that Ollivander had custom –made wands for every person. She further explained that he used the dates of our birthday to determine what materials to use. I told her I was born in July, and after a bit of searching, she discovered the wand made just for me. Sold! In fact I was very excited to find that like the teenage girl prior to me, my wand did not have a skull on the handle. Mine is made from ash just as Harry’s is. The cost is not pricey, or at least, I didn’t think so, at $29.99. I looked at Luke for the go ahead and he gave me a huge smile. I grabbed the box and squealed, “I’m getting a wand!”
Who know what I’m telling this poor clerk because I was in hyper-babbly mode from sheer excitement! With his hat pulled over his ears, this young clerk actually reminded me of an elf.
I am so happy; just look at that grin, but what funkiness is going on with my hair her.
Fill out the form to get my wand sent to the front gate until my departure.
Pondering whether I’ve filled the form out right, so that wand makes it safely back to me at the end of the day.
The wand now has it’s own place in our master bedroom entertainment center along with Hermione’s wand that Luke bought me several years ago for Christmas.
Up Next: More Potter and what do I think of Forbidden Journey.
PS I'm in AP Language and Composition training all this week, so updates will be short and maybe even sporadic.
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How exciting! I remember hearing the excitement in your voice when you told me about your fun experience in Olivander's! I am so happy that you didn't get a wand with a skull on the handle! I hope when the time comes I don't either!
I love all of the great pictures! Seeing those pictures gets me excited for when I can see it in person. Hopefully sometime this summer!
I think the first picture of you is cute....you are just making sure you are getting all of the instructions on how to get your wand safely back to your room and in to your possession!
The second picture is of one happy muggle!
Have a great week in your training for the AP Language and Composition class!
OMG, you had me in stitches with "saddlecrap!" Love it, I had to read it to Dean and we were both LOL! Great story and great "Stefanie-ism!" I am so bummed we didn't get to meet up on this past trip.
Aren't the wands great! Both my kids got their birthday wands too and my DD's Bday is in July too. Wonder if it's the same one?
Can't wait for more. Good luck with training and we will miss you while you are "away"!
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15 total family trips with stays at the Poly, AKL, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, Swan, Dolphin, POFQ, Pop Century, All Star Music, Movies & Sports, and Coronado Springs.
Your own wand?! How cool!
I will guess that TM=Team Member?
That makes sense! I love how someone hear always knows the answer!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Luvsun
How exciting! I remember hearing the excitement in your voice when you told me about your fun experience in Olivander's! I am so happy that you didn't get a wand with a skull on the handle! I hope when the time comes I don't either!
I love all of the great pictures! Seeing those pictures gets me excited for when I can see it in person. Hopefully sometime this summer!
I think the first picture of you is cute....you are just making sure you are getting all of the instructions on how to get your wand safely back to your room and in to your possession!
The second picture is of one happy muggle!
Have a great week in your training for the AP Language and Composition class!
Luke said it was fun just watching my facial expressions and my hands going as I was chattering away.
Quote:
Originally Posted by stubekis
OMG, you had me in stitches with "saddlecrap!" Love it, I had to read it to Dean and we were both LOL! Great story and great "Stefanie-ism!" I am so bummed we didn't get to meet up on this past trip.
Aren't the wands great! Both my kids got their birthday wands too and my DD's Bday is in July too. Wonder if it's the same one?
Can't wait for more. Good luck with training and we will miss you while you are "away"!
I kept looking for you all around AKL, but never notice you! I should have sent a text but sometimes we didn't know until we were ready to head out what we were doing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lura008
Love the picts from WWHOP Can't wait for the rest !
How did Stephanie like it?
I think Stefanie's words were "It's pretty good" when I asked her about WWoHP. She did seem to enjoy visiting there, but would have been happier if she could have met Harry, Ron, and Hermione as she adores all three.
I love the theming...it is probably one of the big draws for me to one day make my way there. Sounds like you had a great start to the day, and what better way than some retail therapy Congratulations on your new wand.
Not a bad price on the wand at all! I really wish I could make it to the WWoHP this year, but it isn't going to happen. I will, however, enjoy visiting vicariously through your TR!
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Congrats on getting your wand! I've read all the HP books, but have not seen any of the movies. The theming looks just like Rowling described-- very cool! The words Stefanie makes up are so expressive, it makes you wonder why they're not in the dictionary. I mean, what could taste worse than "saddlecrap"?!
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I've ridden it at US California, and it's so much fun! And poor Luke, you should've trusted him about the Mummy ride - that one is fabulous! 
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Disney Magic - Oct 2015
Maybe in the future?
that you still get a day at US! 
I love how someone hear always knows the answer! 
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