Forever Young: A Disneyland Trip 50 Years in the Making COMPLETED 1/16/16 - Page 28 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
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Great PP pictures!! I especially love the ones with Radiator Springs Racers in the background.
We were so glad we followed the PP photographer around there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lindawdw
Such wonderful pictures that the PP photographer took of you and Luke! I love all the background scenery in Cars Land! So sorry to hear that Luke has such bad back pain. Has he ever considered going to a chiropractor? Both my DH and I go to one whenever we experience hip, neck or back pain that lasts more than a couple days and it has always helped a lot! I hope you are able to get the cursor issue fixed on your computer soon. It's so frustrating having computer problems!
He used to go to a chiropractor years ago for back pain. But he hasn't problems for a long time. Glad you mentioned it because that is something he would probably do. We went into setting and changed a few things, so today the cursor is working fine. Luke thinks it may be about time for a new laptop.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jandsdennis
Great pictures! Hope Luke's back settles down soon.
I'm really hoping he is on the mend as he has felt less pain today, though he has still not been able to stand upright fully.
Really enjoying this TR! Looks like the two of you had such a great time in RS and CL! Loving all the PP photos! I liked the theming of the different areas and especially the diner!
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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!
Really enjoying this TR! Looks like the two of you had such a great time in RS and CL! Loving all the PP photos! I liked the theming of the different areas and especially the diner!
Thursday, October 8 -- Meeting a PassPorter Friend in 3D
As we climbed out of our tractor, I told Luke that I hoped I be able to easily recognize Jeannie (Dlandmom). I needn’t have worried, but even without her waving at me, I knew her. We walked quickly the end of the exit while she came around from the other side. I immediately received the biggest hug from Jeannie plus a second one that was from Laurie (lauriep). The sweetest greeting! , Jeannie and Laurie. We chatted a few minutes, and then Jeannie asked Luke to decide on a treat that he would like her buy him for his birthday. Jeannie is a true sweetheart and totally surprised Luke. We were totally unfamiliar with the park as we’d walked straight to Radiator Springs and been nowhere else in that time. Jeannie began to suggest some ideas. When she came to ice cream from Ghirardelli, Luke said ice cream would be great. Surprisingly, Jeannie told us the Ghirardelli was just around the corner from Radiator Springs.
On our way out of Radiator Springs, I noticed a PhotoPass photographer and thought it would be a great way to get all three of us in a photo. Or in this case several photos. The PhotoPass photographers at Disneyland were very generous with their time, and most didn’t seem to have much of a line (at least not yesterday or today). We had several poses as a trio, and then Jeannie asked that he take several more of just the two of us.
Then we were off for some ice cream as it was definitely warmer today than it had been yesterday. If I remember correctly the high topped out in the upper 90s.
We stepped inside the cool shop, and Luke perused the menu, though he’d never use the word “peruse.” As soon as he saw the banana split, he knew that was what he wanted. I was not hungry yet, though later I would wish I had had something, but that is for another update. We did get a Coke to share. Once his banana split was ready, we headed outside to a table in the shade.
While Luke ate his birthday ice cream, Jeannie and I talked and talked a lot. I love meeting PassPorters because there isn’t any awkwardness. We truly are already friends; we just haven’t met in person until this moment. One of the best parts of meeting Jeannie today was that she gave us so many tips on how to enjoy the park and beat the heat. In fact, over the next few days, she sent reminders and encouraged us to stay hydrated. She even apologized for being a mom, but I loved the attention and thoughtfulness.
When Luke was finished with his banana split, he borrowed the camera to take some artsy photos and one of Jeannie and I doing what we did best – talking! :wink: I’m pretty sure he made a bio break, too.
Luke also noticed we were now in the window for our Radiator Springs Racers FastPasses. Jeannie told us to go ahead, she would wait for us as she didn’t want to ride, but she didn’t want to interfere with our plans. Again she is a true sweetheart. We made our way to the FP entrance and flew through much of the queue before being stopped near the ride loading area. But of course, I managed to get a few queue photos along the way.
In just a little bit, we were sent into the combined line and then we were standing at the gate waiting to board our third car of the day. Now as I took the photo of my feet, I realized that I was going to need a bathroom soon. Keep this in mind!
I’m sure by now you all don’t expect anything less, but so you know, I put the camera strap around my neck and managed to click a few photos while speeding through the canyon.
We had actually been in this room on one of the earlier rides, but I hadn't turned fast enough to catch us in the car. I was ready this time.
Luigi and Guido are just too cute!
Unfortunately, halfway through the bumps and jolts in the ride made me wish I’d already gone to the restroom. Then we got to the end and we sat and sat and sat some more before our car moved to where we could disembark. At one point I looked at Luke and told him I hoped I could make it. Yes, I was a bit desperate now. When we finally climbed out, I was on a mission. I told Luke to get our ride photo added to the lanyard, and I was heading to Jeannie because I knew she’d know where the closest restroom was.
I think I was walking my maximum 3.8 mph to get out. Thankfully, no one in front of me was injured in my haste. I think Jeannie could read on my face that I was in need of something. All I had to say was I need a restroom now, and she was leading me to Flo’s V8 Café and the restrooms there. I flew inside, thankful for an empty stall. That was close, but sometimes when I’m excited I told forget my biological needs. I’ve tickled Luke plenty of times when I’ve had to rush to the restroom, and he asks why I did not go sooner. My reply is always it wasn’t convenient at the time and would have conflicted with some else I’d rather do. Silly I know.
You all have not heard any Stefanie stories in a long time, but the above story made me think of this one. One Sunday when Stefanie was little, we were all three in the master bathroom trying to get ready. Stefanie was sitting on the toilet, and asked me if heaven would have toilets (or twolets as she called them then). I’ve always thought that I’d rather be done with any need for toilets by the time I get to heaven. So I immediately replied, “No.” Stefanie stood up, stomped her foot, and with hand on hip told me then she was going because she wasn’t going anywhere without toilets. Later at church that day, the lady who told the children stories every Sunday was asked the same question by Stefanie. Her answer was so much better and calmed Stefanie’s fears of heaven. Julia told her that the Bible says that heaven has a mansion with many rooms, and if God thought we needed a toilet, she was sure he would make sure there was one.
Back to Luke’s birthday. When I came out of the restroom, we decided to head to Tower of Terror. But as we hit Radiator Springs main drag, we saw one of Luke’s favorite characters, Lightning McQueen. So we stopped to watch him driving down the street. Of course, there are photos.
It’s hard to explain just how close everything seems in DCA, though it’s walkways are so much wider than DHS. It was a short walk to Tower of Terror. Again Jeannie waited at the exit for us while Luke and I joined the standby queue. We weren’t outside very long at all, and then I was photographing as quickly as possible the inside of the hotel.
Soon enough we were being directed into the library for the preshow. Once Rod Serling had created a creepy atmosphere, we moved on into the boiler room, which is two levels here. We were queuing up in the lower level.
The line was not very long at all, so in no time we were standing in front of an elevator door.
Another notable difference here is that the elevator itself is not immediately behind the doors. There is short enclosed space, and then you board the ride. This way the elevator cars do not need to turn around at the end for exiting the ride. Otherwise, I felt that both versions were quite similar and it remains a favorite whether I’m at DLR or DHS.
We met back up with Jeannie who now needed to leave to get to her kids before school was out. I was so happy to finally meet her and can’t wait to see her again, maybe even at WDW. She offered some parting advice that as it got hotter in the afternoon, we might enjoy the Aladdin A Musical Spectacular for the beauty of the show as well as the air conditioning. She even took the time to point the theater out to us along with the three different queues which corresponded to the different levels inside the theater. Of the top of her head she even knew the times, which helped us in deciding when to go. After another big hug, she was off.
Luke mentioned that he needed a restroom, and looking at the Disneyland app, we noted that one was fairly straight ahead in Hollywood Land. I didn’t need to go. Let’s hope I’m not being foolish again. So used the time, which wasn’t long, to take a few photos of the Mad Tea Party Stage.
I even walked down to the corner to get another photo of Tower of Terror from a different angle.
Note that the weird spacing continues with the use of photos, but at least this time I managed to get the photos all in the post. The text is minus the cool blue, too.
I love the Stephanie Stpry! You have a teacher's bladder, so I can sympathize. It is great that you could meet another Passporter and get a hug from another one from clear across the country. Ice cream was perfect.
A great time today in the parks! Glad that you got to meet up with Jeannie and have a good time together! That was a close call in your urgency to get off of Radiator Springs!
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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!
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Has he ever considered going to a chiropractor? Both my DH and I go to one whenever we experience hip, neck or back pain that lasts more than a couple days and it has always helped a lot! I hope you are able to get the cursor issue fixed on your computer soon. It's so frustrating having computer problems!
He used to go to a chiropractor years ago for back pain. But he hasn't problems for a long time. Glad you mentioned it because that is something he would probably do. 
We went into setting and changed a few things, so today the cursor is working fine. Luke thinks it may be about time for a new laptop. 
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Pixie Dust
We're hoping for a relaxing weekend. 
it.
As soon as he saw the banana split, he knew that was what he wanted. I was not hungry yet, though later I would wish I had had something, but that is for another update. We did get a Coke to share. Once his banana split was ready, we headed outside to a table in the shade. 
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