Me, Muffin and WDW for Xmas stuff!! PTR - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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
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.
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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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View Poll Results: Notice that I have been quiet for two whole days! Why do you think this is?!
You have been very busy delivering babies!
10
19.23%
You have once again completely changed things around!
A few years ago we finally got around to stripping many many years of linoleum flooring off of our kitchen. It was interesting to see some of the patterns, especially one we think was from the 1940's. It was the ugliest flooring I've ever seen! This section of our house dates back to the early 1800's. The new section of our house dates back to 1859. Anyway, when we got to the original floor, we found it was beautiful cherry wood and the boards were all one piece with not a single seam. Too bad the rest of the house didn't have it though.
A few years ago we finally got around to stripping many many years of linoleum flooring off of our kitchen. It was interesting to see some of the patterns, especially one we think was from the 1940's. It was the ugliest flooring I've ever seen! This section of our house dates back to the early 1800's. The new section of our house dates back to 1859. Anyway, when we got to the original floor, we found it was beautiful cherry wood and the boards were all one piece with not a single seam. Too bad the rest of the house didn't have it though.
I'm not a linoleum fan either, Cindy! Wow! That original cherry wood sounds beautiful!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
What a great time you had in Chicago! Love the renovations going on in the house!
It looks like you had a great time in Chicago. I've always wanted to go there but never have made it.
That's a lot of work, ripping up carpeting and flooring. I have hard wood floors in my livingroom and am concidering ripping up the carpeting and having the floors stained. I spend my vacation this year painting the kitchen and the cabinets.
Your last day looks good.
Liz
It looks like you had a great time in Chicago. I've always wanted to go there but never have made it.
That's a lot of work, ripping up carpeting and flooring. I have hard wood floors in my livingroom and am concidering ripping up the carpeting and having the floors stained. I spend my vacation this year painting the kitchen and the cabinets.
Your last day looks good.
Liz
Thanks, Liz! Chicago is awesome if you ever get the chance. I'll bet your kitchen and cabinets look beautiful!! Major work is always stressful, but so worth it in the long run.
Once and for all, a few changes and our put together itinerary!
We are always looking for something different with each trip. Last trip we, of course, focused on attractions and character interactions because we had aa 6 year old with us!
This time around, we are really going because:
A. We have an annual pass
B. We Disney World at Christmas time
C. We had already booked a cruise out of Port Canaveral and we thought we would spend a few nights (which turned into a week) in our happy place while in the area.
Some things we are doing different this time are:
A. No dining plan
B. Spending at least two whole days at Animal Kingdom
C. Basing our plans around the holiday festivities
We are especially looking forward to:
A. Seeing the Osbourne Lights
B. MVMCP
C. Candlelight Processional
D. Holidays around the World
Some new meals we are trying:
A. Minnie's Holiday Dine at H&V
B. Flying Fish Wine Tasting Dinner ( yes it's back in )
C. Sci Fi Dine Inn for breakfast
D. Garden Grill for breakfast
E. La Hacienda de San Angel
F. Sanaa
G. Wanyama Safari dinner
Some traditions we try to do every trip:
A. Make our first and last park the MK
B. Eat at the California Grill and BOG for dinner
This time around, we really want to try to enjoy the various shows and parades as we did not see much of them during the summer. We also are very much looking forward to staying at the beautiful AKL and eating at all of the delicious restaurants there.
We are excited to see that the park hours have been extended as we know it will be crowded this week. We plan on getting tons of pictures again with memory maker and we hope that many will be festive ones!!
There is nothing more magical to me than Disney World for the holidays and I feel very fortunate to be able to experience it, once again, this year. I can't believe we are down to 32 days!!
So, here are our final plans!!
November 28th
Arrive at AKL around 2PM.
Get settled and head to MK.
Fastpasses for the Mountains from 4-7 PM.
California Grill for dinner at 7:15PM
Maybe back to MK or maybe home to AKL.
November 29th
HS day!
Sci Fi Dine Inn for breakfast at 8AM
Fastpasses for TSMM, Star Tours, ToT
See shows!!
Minnie's Holiday Fantasmic Dinner at Hollywood and Vine at 5PM
Osbourne Lights
Fantasmic!
November 30th
AK for the day!!
Fastpasses for KS, EE, Dinosaur
Be Our Guest for dinner at 7PM
Wishes
Electrical Parade
December 1st
Epcot in AM
Sanaa for lunch at 2PM
MK after lunch
Fastpasses for Jungle Cruise, POC, Peter Pan's Flight
MVMCP
December 2nd
HS in AM
Fastpasses for ToT, Star Tours, TSMM
Disney Springs in PM
Flying Fish Cafe Chef's Wine Tasting dinner
December 3rd
Epcot Day!
Chip and Dale's Harvest Feast Breakfast at The Garden Grill at 8:20AM
Fastpasses for Soarin', Spaceship Earth, Mission Space
La Hacienda de San Angel Candlelight Dinner at 4:30PM for 8:15PM show
December 4th
Animal Kingdom
Fastpasses for Dinosaur, EE, FOTLK
Wanyama Safari/Jiko dinner 3:30PM
December 5th
Boma for breakfast at 8AM
MK
Fastpasses for SDMT, BTMRR, Splash Mountain
This evening we will be leaving Disney World and heading to the Orlando Airport Hyatt for the night.
December 6th-13th
Western Caribbean cruise on the Freedom of the Seas!!
That about covers our two weeks vacation!!
We've already made arrangements for Lilly to go to you know where and I am starting to get my Disney clothes out to pack!!
Your Chicago trip sounded like so much fun (with the exception of the cab driver)! It's a lot of work ripping out your carpets and redoing your hardwood floors but it will be worth it in the end! Love all your plans to Disney as it's always fun to try new things. We love going there around Christmas time!
Your plans look good and lots of great new meals in there!
Thanks, Cheryl!! I can't wait to ty some new places!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
You all have so much to look forward to for this trip! Can't wait to hear about all the Christmas goings on.
Thanks, Cam!! I can't wait to tell you about the Christmas goings on!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MayraLR
Plans look great! (for now)
Thanks, Mayra!! I swear this is it!! Everything finally fits the way it needs to!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lindawdw
Your Chicago trip sounded like so much fun (with the exception of the cab driver)! It's a lot of work ripping out your carpets and redoing your hardwood floors but it will be worth it in the end! Love all your plans to Disney as it's always fun to try new things. We love going there around Christmas time!
Thanks, Linda!! Chicago was awesome, the dry wall guys are here right now spackling and I can't wait to see that beautiful tree at AKL!!!
I must tell you guys, I am still just a tad bit worried about El Nino this year. Remember when we almost changed the trip because of it?! The worst thing ever would be to have spent all of that money on a vacation and have it pour EVERY.....SINGLE..........DAY. Anyway! It's too late now to cancel so I will certainly pack my North Face raincoat and we will make the best of it no matter what!
I always have a problem packing for this time of year and wind up with way too much stuff. Fortunately, we are going on the cruise to follow, so I will have stuff for warmer weather regardless. My problem is just how much cold weather stuff to pack. I guess the easiest thing to do would be to throw in a sweatshirt, a couple of sweaters and some long pants and try to coordinate everything. However, I am not one of those people who can do that easily. In fact, I need Garanimals!! So, I will get out a mish mosh of things and watch the Orlando weather forecast very, very closely!!
I did buy two more cute t-shirts at the Disney store in Chicago. One is a classic Minnie and the other is Tink. They are adorable and I can't wait to wear them!! My Disney Visa rewards card is up to 100 bucks again, so I will surely be bringing that and will probably buy either a Pandora charm or some more Christmas ornaments with my bonus bucks! My kids bought me a gorgeous Dooney and Bourke shopper for my Anniversary and I can't wait to use it in WDW!!
Today also marks one month exactly to go!!! I think that calls for a poem!!
I've only thirty one days left!
That's just one month from now!!
Before I go to Disney World!
I'm gonna have a cow!!
I am beyond excited now!
To see the Christmas stuff!!
It always looks so beautiful!!
I just can't get enough!! :
I cannot wait to hit the parks!
With everything decked out!!
See jingle bells, hear music!!
A festive mood about!!
Can't wait to see the characters!
Dressed up in Christmas clothes!!
Can't wait to see what Mickey wears!
And tweak his little nose!!
Getting really close now! That D&B bag is adorable!
Hey, did I remember that Sanaa is back in?! I thought you were now saving that for a girls' night?!
Getting really close now! That D&B bag is adorable!
Hey, did I remember that Sanaa is back in?! I thought you were now saving that for a girls' night?!
Well, if I like it enough, I will surely do that, Colleen!! It's back in for me only. That's the day Muffin will be working. I figured it was a nice way to get it in and not have him stress out about it! It will be perfect because he will do lunch on his own as well and be back for the Christmas Party!!
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This section of our house dates back to the early 1800's. The new section of our house dates back to 1859. Anyway, when we got to the original floor, we found it was beautiful cherry wood and the boards were all one piece with not a single seam. Too bad the rest of the house didn't have it though.
Love the renovations going on in the house! 
) in our happy place while in the area.
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