A Coast to Coast Christmas - Phase One WDW - Page 29 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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Thanks for posting those pictures. What an amazing place! And that spread! Everything looked so very good! I can totally picture now what fun you all had there. I don't know how you're gonna top this one!!!
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Tanya
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Hey, my birthday's in November! That's a great reason to cruise, right?
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Oh my goodness - what a view from that room! Sharon you slacker - no photos of the food for me to drool over?
I'm glad somebody was able to fill my shoes. I was a total slacker!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shari2137
Loving your trip report. We were there the same time and missed soooo much. First trip with grandsons 2 & 4, so it slowed us down quite a bit. There were two trails we were directed to, first trail was across the road from first aid station just past Pizzafari and for the second we went back by the ITTBAB exits. Both trails were cool as parts you are actually walking under tree limbs, you get such great close up views. We are going back in February and are hoping to spend more time and get lots of photos as my camera broke early in the trip.
It's easy to miss a lot of stuff, because there's so much to do! It's fun to just wander down a path you haven't been on before. So many little surprises to find.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MayraLR
Great party! (even though there aren't many pictures to prove it)
I was having too much fun. Yeah, that's it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles!
Wow! What a truly amazing experience! And best that you all got to spend it together!
Yes, it was so great to spend that time with so many of my special friends. Now I'm getting all verklempt!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Linnynad
That was fabulous! Such a great evening....great friends, great food, great view. Way to drop the ball though Sharon on the food pics........and special M&M's too
Luckily, somebody had the presence of mind to take photos. I was stuffing my face (or running my mouth ).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crocrafter
I have been a lurker on these trip reports for a while now, thoroughly enjoying them. (Thanks!) After reading the posts about the kangaroos and knowing I would be at AK this past Sunday, I tried to find the best marker for the trail to share with you and am wondering if they may be seen from multiple viewing areas as I did not find them near Pizzafari but across from the Island Mercantile? The best directions I can give are: coming out of Camp Minnie Mickey and heading right, there are 2 trails almost directly across the path. The left goes to the otters and the right to the kangaroos. Strangely, I usually see the knagaroos on our trips and rarely get to view the otters, as was the case this trip. Hope this helps and everyone gets to see them on their next trip.
Karin
You can kind of see the kangaroos from the main path to Africa, but to get close, the path you describe is probably exactly the way I'd say to find the kangaroo trail.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Two4Disney
If we could jump in for a moment:
Rich and I drove up in our Kona Blue Mustang and texted Larry that we were there but the guard gate was backed up (as it always is at the Contemporary). By the time we swung by the entry, Larry, ever the gentleman, was waiting for us.
We parked the car and discovered that Joan had arrived in her taxi and was waiting to pay the fare. What great timing! She was loaded down with all kinds of goodies, and Larry escorted us all to the Villa, which was so FAB. We hadn't seen Joan or B&L since the Food & Wine Festival in 2010. So it was the best setting for a reunion.
When we entered the Villa, we greeted Bob with big hugs and then introductions were made - this was the first we'd met the lovely Eileen (her smile lights up a room), the entertaining story teller JillyBean (can't wait to read more of her report), an ex Bay Area comrade, Karen (although we didn't meet until Florida), and our fabulous trip report hostess, Sharon. Hugs all around like we'd been friends for years! Thank you all for the big !
The Villa was gorgeous and decorated for Christmas with the perfect touch. Wowsa! Can we live here? We're inspired to find a place like this in real life. 2000 square feet - perfect! Larry gave us a tour and we were especially impressed with the laundry room - too bad we hadn't brought the clothes that refused to dry in our Florida rental.
Joan made us our first Yak Attack - and it was so yummy! We definitely need a quick trip to AK to tide us over until Joan can make us another.
Larry even arranged for a little book signing party for both of us. You are simply the best, Larry!
Anyway, it was a wonderful, wonderful evening - we were sorry that Lesley & Tom couldn't make it (next time?) - but we had to leave first because Rich had to work the next day - not all of us are on vacation - lol! More hugs all around, and then we drove home!
But now we're greedy - we want more of that!
Thanks for chiming in! I definitely want more, too!
Quote:
Originally Posted by LLaffinPlace
There has been a general cry for more pictures of the villa and the TBSAALTA, so here goes.
First, a few orientation pictures.
The white, round things placed strategically around the area are LED tea lights. [No way we were going to use open flames! ]
Of course, as the afternoon wore on, the sun started going down.
This was helpful, as Eileen pointed out, because it made some of our decorations visible at a distance.
Shortly before our Guests arrived, Private Dining showed up to set the stage. I'll take a second here to heap praise on PD's heads. They were a joy to work with, and exceeded our expectations from presentation to Gluten Free preparations. I did mess up a little because one of our number could not eat the seafood, but hopefully was able to make up for it with the rest of the offerings.
The stage is set:
Can you find the Mickey?
Evidently, I didn't take any close up pictures of the cheese or veggie plates.
I thought they did a great job on the cake.
Oh, yes, and those "special" M&M's:
Good Friends, Good Times, bob & larry.
Coming Up: Pictures from the actual party!
It makes me hungry all over again! It also makes me miss everyone.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LLaffinPlace
I'll leave you with some views at Breakfast the following morning.
I love this picture, because you can see the monorail, but you know the train's there too!
My favorite part of staying at a MK resort is watching the MK "wake up" in the morning! Love the pics!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Well, I'm relieved that SOMEONE remembered to take photos of the wonderful spread!
Well, I guess now that Larry's posted the pictures, everyone can see why I was distracted.
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
WOW!!! That place looks amazing and it sounds like you all had a fabulous time. I chose the word fabulous on purpose mind you. Anyway, sorry Bob was feeling under the weather, but what better place to feel under the weather. That view would make anyone perk up!
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What an amazing evening....the view was just beautiful, the food spread looked delicious and you had a great group of friends, don't think anything could top that. The villa...I cannot get over the size of it, I would be perfectly happy living my life in a grand villa at Disney
Love the pictures....still think Disney needs to grab you guys, Special Event by B&L - a hit I tell you a hit. I don't think tickets would ever get to public sales, the pre-sales would grab them all.
Day Five – Monday, December 5 Some quality time in the Magic Kingdom
I slept in this morning! My notes say I woke up at 7:15! While getting ready, I noticed our DME envelope. Sadness. That little envelope means the end of your trip is near. For some reason, only my return flight info was listed, and only I had a pickup time for the bus. Jilly was taking the train back, so she didn’t need DME, but Karen and Eileen called to get pickup times for their flights.
After breakfast in the lounge, we headed down to the boat dock and soon after were in the MK. We were sad to see that the tree still hadn’t been put up (they delayed it until after the Christmas parade taping, and then I guess it took some time to remove all the stuff from that).
Joan and Larry were just behind us getting through, so we figured we’d do a circuit on the train and they’d catch up to us. Bob was still feeling poorly, so he took it easy this morning and caught up with us a little later. I loved that there were trees everywhere except, of course, the Main Street tree, including in the train station!
We took the ride all the way around, and when we returned to Main Street, Larry was waiting for us. He joined us and we continued to Frontierland, then got off and grabbed FPs for BTMRR.
We walked right on Splash Mountain, and none of us got very wet at all (the water cannons weren’t on). When we were finished, we spotted a Photopass CM, so we decided to get some photos. She told us that we might be used in the castle show, so we hammed it up!
Too bad Eileen didn’t even try
These are our “heroine” poses
By this time, Bob had joined us. We walked over and went on POTC, where someone took flash photos throughout the ride. Obviously, not one of us.
JoanW joined us after that and we all headed to the Enchanted Tiki Room (under old management).
Then we did the Country Bear Jamboree. Eileen especially wanted to do this to hear Karen and me giggling like fools.
Next we decided to head over to the Haunted Mansion. The park was pretty crowded, and the line stretched all the way down to the (no longer in use) FP machines. We figured we’d try to ride it later. A bunch of people decided to do some shopping, so I grabbed a rocker outside the store and settled in for some people watching. Nobody ever came back out of the shop, so I figured the rest of the group had ditched me.
Once I stopped crying, I remembered that we were going to lunch at CHH, so I sent a text to find out if that’s where they were. Then I headed over and got something for myself. When I found the group, they acted like they were glad I found them, but I totally knew better. They were getting revenge on me for the TOT incident.
Once we’d finished lunch (I had the tuna sandwich, by the way), we checked the HM queue (it was even longer – looked to be about 40 minutes). With no luck there, we headed to Fantasyland for Mickey’s Philharmagic. For the first time in a long time, we actually had to wait in the outer queue (still in the building, but before getting our 3-D glasses). I guess we had to wait through one entire show. Once we finally made it in and got our glasses, it wasn’t too long of a wait before we were seated and enjoying the show.
Then we went over to check out Winnie the Pooh’s new (to some of us) enhanced queue. We weren’t worried about riding, just playing.
Joan taters
Bob headed back to the WL for a rest while the rest of the group went over to Tomorrowland. But first, I snapped a photo of the FL construction.
We took a spin around the Carousel of Progress, then Joan decided to head back to SOG for a break. The rest of us rode the People Mover.
I had a little trouble communicating to Karen and Eileen that I was trying to get them in the shot as well as Larry and Jill! The resulting photo came out cute, though!
Everyone was ready to return to the WL by now. We kind of split up a little. I went on my own because I wanted to get a strawberry bar. People were lined up around the hub for the parade, but there was no line at the ice cream cart. Score!
I caught the boat back to the WL where I caught up with the rest of the group. Eileen settled in for a nap and after grabbing some snacks from the lounge, the other three ladies of the CLQ went and enjoyed the hot tub.
Then we headed back to the room and got dressed for our busy night.
Up Next: “I refuse to get off this bus until you take me where I want to go!”
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
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What an amazing place! And that spread! 
Everything looked so very good! I can totally picture now what fun you all had there. I don't know how you're gonna top this one!!!
I'm glad somebody was able to fill my shoes. I was a total slacker!
Now I'm getting all verklempt! 
]
Well, I guess now that Larry's posted the pictures, everyone can see why I was distracted. 
They're OURS!!! 
Anyway, sorry Bob was feeling under the weather, but what better place to feel under the weather. That view would make anyone perk up!
For some reason, only my return flight info was listed, and only I had a pickup time for the bus. Jilly was taking the train back, so she didn’t need DME, but Karen and Eileen called to get pickup times for their flights.
He joined us and we continued to Frontierland, then got off and grabbed FPs for BTMRR.
taters 
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