The First Thanksgiving (some 400 years later) TR - COMPLETE!! 3/7 - Page 24 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
I love when you teachers have a day off, because then we get our updates!! I can't believe they led you out the "back way". See, I'm the opposite though, I love to see the "behind the scenes" stuff, so I would have been fine with that. Sounds like a productive morning so far!! Trails End was really good when we had it 2 trips ago. Hope you like it!!
Oh yes, days off really help me get a jump on my TR I'm kind of into the idea of backstage stuff but only at like the AK... I want the MK to stay just the way I see it
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilovedisney247
Thanks for the updates Melissa! It looks like you were having a great time--except for the TTA . . . I was pretty upset that they changed the spiel too! I just keep waiting for Tom Morrow . . . and it never comes!
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey
Great updates! I have not read one good review of the TTA updates. How sad... Can't wait to hear about Trail's End.
I know... it's just not the same. I get a little pang of grief everytime it plays on one of the live365 channels I listen to.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bethf
Great updates! So sorry you had bad service at Ohana on Thanksgiving. I can't believe Mousekeeping took your Stitch! I totally agree about not wanting to see the backstage areas of Disney World. I love the "Disney Bubble" too - I don't want to know what exists outside of it. Can't wait to read about the rest of the day.
Others made comments about 'Ohana as well, and yes I did receive a response but it was over Christmas break, and they called my work number b/c it was on my email signature. I got the voicemail when I came back to work. They were very nice and assured that the proper people would be notified and it would be handled. She gave me a number and name to call if I wanted to discuss it further but I didn't feel like it. Hopefully the took care of it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles!
And to your second: It sounded like a GREAT morning! I loved all your pictures. I too am sad about TTA. I don't really remember much of the dialogue so I'm guessing I've blocked it out.
!! I know what you mean... I'd rather not remember the crap commentary...
Quote:
Originally Posted by MGW
Thanks for the updates! I always enjoy your TR's so much!
I do like writing....I just suck at doing in a timely manner
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
What a great time at the Magic Kingdom, despite the crowds.
Yes Thanksgiving night was fairly crowded but the next morning was perfect!
Quote:
Originally Posted by schpug03
Great updates. The only thing I don't like about your TR's is you are so good at describing everything it makes me "homesick" for the World! . Can't wait to see the videos.
That's why I do it So I can have something to soothe my DWD (Disney Withdrawal)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Nice finish to your Thanksgiving 2009 (except maybe for the bubble bursting)! Great morning at MK, too! Pictures are great!
It was a great morning for taking pictures and that's one of my favorite memories from the trip
Quote:
Originally Posted by goofysdtr
Thanks for the updates, Melissa! Sounds like a great time, except for the crowds. I'm very interested in taking a behind the scenes type of tour, but I don't think I'd like to be taken back there unprepared & unanticipated.
Seriously. Once I realized what was going on, I put my hands up around my face so I only could look straight ahead!
Quote:
Originally Posted by bethf
I can't believe that after all those trips, there are still rides that you and Andy haven't done.
You'd be surprised We like to choose one or two new things to do each trip. There's still a few things in each park that we haven't done.
Quote:
Originally Posted by schpug03
Love, love, love your trip reports!! I was having a bad afternoon and after seeing your TR and pic's I am in a much better mood!! THANKS!!!!!
awwww!! !!! I’m sorry you were having a bad day!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Great updates, Melissa and Brandi! Lunch sounds so very ! Love your pictures!
That lunch was really great...I keep blabbering about it but really....man..I wish I could go eat there for lunch today!
I'm glad you all enjoyed the MK video We only see it like once every so many trips as well b/c I don't do early morning I don't know how I managed it that morning!
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.
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 think we had the same old guy when we ate at Trails End. It's quite a trek to get there but worth it. You guys look like you're having so much fun. Can't wait to read ore.
Liz
I've always wanted to visit Fort Wilderness during the holidays to see all the decorations. I have been to Trails End and agree with you. The food is yummy. I really loved the cornbread, too.
__________________
Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
Not a lot of commentary for this next bit... mostly photos because it's the Osborne Lights night! After getting back from Ft.W Andy and I got ready to head back out with the Bakers to DHS. We all watched the end of the Clemson/Carolina game... we were just in time to watch them get whooped. Nice. Then we watched the beginning Auburn/Alabama game and hoped for better results for the Baker's sake. They were winning when we left but by the time we got into the Studios...it had all gone downhill Oh well, no celebration for our teams tonight.....
So anyway, we got to the studios..
Brandi was uber excited about entering DHS..
We mosied around down towards the GMR. I stopped to buy some pins under the hat.
And then we headed inside to ride the GMR. We got the front row which was a first for me. Brandi had the luxury of sitting beside the guide who apparently chatted Brandi up about Gene Kelly (I think..... Brandi??)
Love love love this ride, even if freaky Wendy's the munchkin creeps me out popping up out of her sewer hole...
After the ride it was time for the lights to be on so we made our way with the rest of the herd of people. I swear, I don't see how there's anybody left in any part of the park.....maybe Toy Story Insania, but really.... it was elbow to elbow, butt to butt in the Streets of America, and it always seems to be that way during the lights. But that aside, we slowly made our way down, stopping to take pictures and video as we went.
I spotted some of the hidden mickeys, not sure how many I counted but here's one...
Andy was rocking out to the music and videoing at the same time. Multi-tasker.
Then it was time for some people shots....
And a self shot of course
We made it all the way down and saw the nativity scene. I don't remember seeing it in the past??
The whole night we searched and searched for the hidden cat. At one point we got separated from the Bakers in our search....and guess who found the stupid cat? That'd be Andy Loflin. And since the holidays are over and they'll move it next year, I'm showing you the picture
After a couple phone call tries to Brandi Baker's phone we finally reconnected and got them over to us to see the cat. We also took the opportunity to frighten a CM with my big ole honkin' camera to have a picture made of the four us
And Andy took one of me and Brandi that I love It's on my fridge
We spent a good bit of time back there and finally made our way back towards the front. The Bakers were being very nice and taking us to the CR for our Cali Grill ADR. We said goodnight to them at the CR and headed inside to check in. While we waited to check in we got an eyeful of all the wannabe pirates getting ready to set sail for the little pirate cruise that night. Nice
We were a bit early for our ADR and had decided to grab a seat at the bar after being taken up the elevator. But right as we sat down our buzzer went off. So we found our table. We were back in that backity back room for the first time. It was actually nice and quiet back there. And we had a view of Bay Lake, Illuminations, and the Electrical Water Pageant
A self shot at the table....
We tried to decide on a bottle of wine as we've both really gotten into Pinot Noir lately. We had a fabulous waiter who brought us two different types to try. And of course, Andy liked one, and I liked the other. So we opted for glasses instead. Our waiter was very into the food which we appreciated. But I think I gave him a heart attack when I only ordered a flatbread as my entree. But dude... I had the goat cheese ravioli, and we split the cheese board..... All I could hold after that was the flatbread, and I even left part of it on the plate. I love those flatbreads though. That seems to be what I always get. I'm not a big steak/red meat eater anyway... I just can't eat enough of it to justify paying for it, if that makes sense. I have always gotten the Triple Cheese one but this time I went for the one with duck and figs.....Oh my! It was sooooo tasty!!! Andy went with the Seared Ostrich Filet dish which he devoured.
Pictures from the table..
The fireworks were starting right after our dishes arrived which kind of sucked because I didn't want to come back and eat cold food We stepped outside on the roof thing and didn't stay very long. It was sooooo freakishly cold up there... When it's already 40 degrees outside and you're 15 stories up in the wind.....yeah...no thank you.
I got a couple of pictures but my hands were shaking so bad that this is the only one worth sharing..
We quickly headed back inside to enjoy our meal. Our waiter was surprised we weren't outside enjoying the fireworks but we explained A) we've been here a couple of times before and have seen them from here B) it's cold, really cold and C) there's warm food on the table!
We were so stuffed by the end of the meal that we actually skipped on dessert. We were both worn out as well and were ready to head back to POFQ and call it a night. We grabbed a cab since it was so cold and I was tired....this chick was not walking over to the MK and waiting on a bus.
When we got back to FQ I snapped a couple pictures of the pretty Christmas Cheer in the lobby
And then we called it a night!
Tomorrow morning was to be spent at DHS and you know you gots to get up early to get the Insania!
About This Page: 
! Love your pictures!
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
PassPorter Guide Author
I know... it's just not the same. I get a little pang of grief everytime it plays on one of the live365 channels I listen to.
!! I know what you mean... I'd rather not remember the crap commentary...
That's why I do it 
So I can have something to soothe my DWD (Disney Withdrawal) 
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
Dreams, Wishes, Hopes... these are the parts of childhood we should never lose.
Susan
Linear Mode
