Castaway Cay Sandwich - 13 Glorious Days of Disney! - COMPLETED!! - Page 3 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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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What a relaxing first day - mind you, you probably needed it after your start at "o' dark thirty"! I'm glad you liked your room, even if it was quite a hike from the lobby....
Very nice first day, just soaking up the atmosphere of AKL. Looks like you scored again with the standard view that is really a Savannah view! I can't believe the boys did all that growing in just one year!
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What a relaxing first day - mind you, you probably needed it after your start at "o' dark thirty"! I'm glad you liked your room, even if it was quite a hike from the lobby....
I kept thinking, "I should lose weight this trip". ha ha
Quote:
Originally Posted by shazza
Great first day! The boys are sooooo tall. It must be fun comparing the differences in pics from now and from 2 years ago.
I think this is an awesome plan for a Disney Holiday - 4x4x4.
Max is 5'8 1/2" I feel ridiculous scolding "up" at him. (Won't tell him tho')
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
Very nice first day, just soaking up the atmosphere of AKL. Looks like you scored again with the standard view that is really a Savannah view! I can't believe the boys did all that growing in just one year!
I was just hoping for any view that wasn't the bus stop!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great day at AKL! More please!
Coming up!
Quote:
Originally Posted by jackid2
What a great first day!
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
Great start to your trip!! Love the view from your room!!
We got quite a lot of animals that visited, even way back there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mojjo
I'm holding off on AKL because I know as soon as we stay there YDS will never want to stay anywhere else.
Lol
**************** Thursday, Sept 4 - DHS
I know FastPass+ isn't for everyone, but it's great for us and the way we tour Disney World now. Because of FP+, we were able to enjoy a calm morning with a delicious breakfast without having to run to the bus, then run to Toy Story Midway Mania to try to get a decent fastpass . That being said, I woke up on our second morning at 5:58am anyway! I must have been excited or something... I put on a pot of coffee and did my own mani/pedi. I had some Starbucks VIAs, but I wanted to try the new coffee in the room. The Joffrey's Coffee is WAY better than what they used to put in the rooms - thanks Disney ! With my nails and toes looking pretty, I took my mug of hot caffeine and joined Dh out on the balcony to enjoy the morning sky.
With a little coaxing and the promise of Disney-coffee (allowed only on Disney property ) I managed to get the boys up and at 'em for our 9:05am ADR at Boma. Oh how I missed Boma! I love it for both breakfast and dinner
We really didn't need an ADR
Our little corral
My first go (The Krispy Kreme donut is not mine. Our server was very pleased to tell us that they now feature them. I guess it's a treat for some )
My traditional favs: grilled tomatoes, bobotie, fruit and yogurt
I love this fruit salad with avocado! This is the first time I've had a Simba waffle
Part of the reason we don't use the Dining Plan anymore is because it would be a total waste of money and food. Titus doesn't eat in the morning, and Max, while he does eat a lot, he eats only a little at a time. Another reason for paying out of pocket is that both Dh and I have been trying to change our eating habits to lower carbs and less food (totally won't see it this trip!). We didn't need all the desserts! To me the dining plan is a great value if you are going to eat at buffets or the more expensive places and character meals. I say all this to say that including the DVC discount, for Titus we paid $21.07 (Adult price, tip not included) for 1 donut, some juice and a piece of ham. Max did a little better, having sampled some different things with one plate refill. Dh was bent on getting his money's worth and almost got too full. I sampled all my favorites, some of which are in the pics above. Our server was nice, and we appreciated her applying the 10% DVC discount on our bill without our asking - she had seen the DVC protector thingy that came with the magic bands . We were done in exactly one hour (not crowded at all) and took the resort shuttle back to Kidani to get the things we'd need for our day: hats, camelbaks (water, etc), and trading pins. It was getting very warm already!
Tile work in the ladies room. I know, sorry, it's a problem
The plaque for the piece of art by the lobby door.
Give them an inch...
Some gold artifacts in Kidani's lobby. "Watches" that were made for African royalty.
We finally made it to Hollywood Studios at exactly 12pm. We had FP+s for Tower of Terror at 12:15, Star Tours at 2:10 and TSMM at 3:45. We headed down Sunset Blvd after stopping for some photo ops.
Classic "sun in your face" photo
Dh took this postcard photo
Since there was only a 15 minute wait for Rockin' Roller Coaster, we did that of course. What would be a more appropriate ride for their first one in 2 years?
Max said he was "making a funny face" on purpose. Uh huh.
TOT was next up, we used our FPs, but standby was only 10 minutes. I confess I'm terrified of this ride - I'm more of a speed junkie. I put on a good front to not weird out my kids, especially Max. He doesn't really like thrill rides. I think he just rides them because he thinks that's what's expected of him. He likes other kinds of attractions though, and that's ok. So back to me being terrified ... Of course the elevator we got on was full of jokesters who screamed at the wrong places and stuff. Between laughing at their comedy and my skyrocketing heart rate, I was stressed out ! I screamed like a ninny ("I'm scared!"), and I noticed that Max was screaming too! The ride went on and on, even when it had finally come to the bottom, it went BACK UP to fall down again !! My legs were jello getting out of my seat. Dh and Titus were cruelly laughing at Max - so mean! (He shook like a leaf the whole time, poor dude.) I weigh quite a few stone as my British friends might say and I'm telling you, I got some serious air on those drops. Titus weighs about as much as a dollar bill, and LOVES scary rides, so he was all "Woo Hoo!!" and stuff .
Yes, another picture Titus.
The face of fear. Dh and Titus actually laughing at Max! Totally not right.
Back down the Blvd again, we headed over to Pixar Place to check out TSMM. I think my Lines app said the standby time was short and it would be cool to get two rides in one day. I think we waited about 25 minutes maybe? This is my favorite ride in DHS, maybe all of the World? ...And I still got beat by my loving husband (so close though!)
All happy now
I've probably posted this before, but I just love it!
Kinda creepy toy?
Finally on...
Beat again
It was time for a break back at the resort, after a quick spin around a galaxy far, far away. (We all agreed that this Star Tours was a really good one, and again, no need for a fastpass.) Although it felt like the humidity wasn't too bad, it was still hot, so I let the boys get a Mickey Bar before lunch - oh well, it's Disney.
DIY mani, nothing fancy.
Ice cream hack, tip learned from PassPorter or another site. It works great!
It started to rain during lunch, so we just rested up (napped maybe?) and watched some ostriches from the other savannah.
I love the photo from Kidani's lobby of the touchy-feely artwork . Your caption is perfect. Great day braving the thrills. Toy Story is my favorite ride, too. I love that tip for drippy ice cream, too! It came from Holly (mommapants), I think!
I love the photo from Kidani's lobby of the touchy-feely artwork . Your caption is perfect. Great day braving the thrills. Toy Story is my favorite ride, too. I love that tip for drippy ice cream, too! It came from Holly (mommapants), I think!
I've been waiting to try it. The last time we had a mess from melting Mickey bars!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
What a great day so far and I see what you mean about the Fastpass+ times working out for you guys.
Thanks! I know some folks don't like it, but it works for us lazybones who can't get out of the bed early on vacation
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Tell Max it's all right to scream at TOT. I scream all the time. And the ride photo, although I laughed at your husband's pose, it's not cool. I could totally see my oldest doing that same thing.
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
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I'm glad you liked your room, even if it was quite a hike from the lobby....
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
More please! 
. That being said, I woke up on our second morning at 5:58am anyway! I must have been excited or something... 
I put on a pot of coffee and did my own mani/pedi. I had some Starbucks VIAs, but I wanted to try the new coffee in the room. The Joffrey's Coffee is WAY better than what they used to put in the rooms - thanks Disney 
! With my nails and toes looking pretty, I took my mug of hot caffeine and joined Dh out on the balcony to enjoy the morning sky.
. We were done in exactly one hour (not crowded at all) and took the resort shuttle back to Kidani to get the things we'd need for our day: hats, camelbaks (water, etc), and trading pins. It was getting very warm already!
... Of course the elevator we got on was full of jokesters who screamed at the wrong places and stuff. Between laughing at their comedy and my skyrocketing heart rate, I was stressed out 
! I screamed like a ninny ("I'm scared!"), and I noticed that Max was screaming too! The ride went on and on, even when it had finally come to the bottom, it went BACK UP to fall down again 
!! My legs were jello getting out of my seat. Dh and Titus were cruelly laughing at Max - so mean! (He shook like a leaf the whole time, poor dude.) I weigh quite a few stone as my British friends might say and I'm telling you, I got some serious air on those drops. Titus weighs about as much as a dollar bill, and LOVES scary rides, so he was all "Woo Hoo!!" and stuff 
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