The trip with an ulterior motive (Spet 3-10)- PTR - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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On the subject of Victoria and Albert's. I'm a total foodie and enjoy eating out at all kinds of restaurants from neighborhood dives to the best fine dining has to offer. Victoria and Albert's is the absolute best fine dining Disney has to offer and maybe the best meal I've ever had. I live in New Orleans and travel pretty frequently. This easily lines up with some of the best dining in Las Vegas, New York, and New Orleans. We had dinner in the Queen Victoria room, which is the same menu as the Chef's Table and is more expensive than the regular dining room.
If you decide that V&A is too much for the bank account my second choice would actually be Citricos. We like Narcoossee's, but I think Citricos is a hair better. Of course they do not have fireworks viewing at Citricos--so if that is part of the plan Narcoossees or that California Grill would be your options!
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.
On the subject of Victoria and Albert's. I'm a total foodie and enjoy eating out at all kinds of restaurants from neighborhood dives to the best fine dining has to offer. Victoria and Albert's is the absolute best fine dining Disney has to offer and maybe the best meal I've ever had. I live in New Orleans and travel pretty frequently. This easily lines up with some of the best dining in Las Vegas, New York, and New Orleans. We had dinner in the Queen Victoria room, which is the same menu as the Chef's Table and is more expensive than the regular dining room.
If you decide that V&A is too much for the bank account my second choice would actually be Citricos. We like Narcoossee's, but I think Citricos is a hair better. Of course they do not have fireworks viewing at Citricos--so if that is part of the plan Narcoossees or that California Grill would be your options!
I hadn't even thought of Citrico's or California Grill!!!! Now I need to rush over to the website and see if they have any reservations available
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PREVIOUS TRIPS: 1997- Off-site, 2002-Contemporary, 2009- POFQ, 2011- Beach Club, 2012- Disney Magic, 2013 Disney Fantasy
Just found your PTR. We are going Sept 16 - 26. Its getting very close. I need to start my PTR. with DVC. I have been working on my DH for a while now. Its not really something we could work in right now anyway. But I figure, go ahead and start planting the idea. That way, when we can work it in I will have a head start. I bought a book about DVC. The other day I was looking for the book and couldn't find it. I finally found it in the bathroom. My husband had been reading it. Maybe he is starting come around.
Great plans so far. Oh, SM is only 40", so your DS should be fine this year. My DD (4) is tall for her age. Right now she measures 43 1/2". We hope she makes 44" by Sept. She really wants to ride Everest!
Can't wait to hear more.
Just found your PTR. We are going Sept 16 - 26. Its getting very close. I need to start my PTR. with DVC. I have been working on my DH for a while now. Its not really something we could work in right now anyway. But I figure, go ahead and start planting the idea. That way, when we can work it in I will have a head start. I bought a book about DVC. The other day I was looking for the book and couldn't find it. I finally found it in the bathroom. My husband had been reading it. Maybe he is starting come around.
Great plans so far. Oh, SM is only 40", so your DS should be fine this year. My DD (4) is tall for her age. Right now she measures 43 1/2". We hope she makes 44" by Sept. She really wants to ride Everest!
Can't wait to hear more.
Might have to buy a DVC book now and accidentally leave it laying in an obvious spot I had forgotten that EE was only 44"...for some reason I thought it was closer to 50...good to know though! Can't wait for your PTR
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PREVIOUS TRIPS: 1997- Off-site, 2002-Contemporary, 2009- POFQ, 2011- Beach Club, 2012- Disney Magic, 2013 Disney Fantasy
As promised, this past weekend I scoured online sales to get a head start on the needed items for my packing list. The Disney Store was having a great sale on t-shirts and I was able to get each of the kiddos 2 more shirts. In addition, I got myself a super cute t-shirt. Have any of you seen the new Kidada line? If not, its like miniaturized versions of the princesses. There are shirts, charm bracelets, necklaces etc. I managed to get a t-shirt with all of the princesses on it. I am super excited for it to get here I really wanted to get DH the Grumpy t-shirt that says “Handsome by birth Grumpy by choice” but they were out of his size There is a running joke with our kids that their dad is just like Grumpy and he plays along with it and encourages them all the time! On top of the shirts, zappos was having a sale too! I got the kids each new pairs of crocs. They have neat flip flops out with a bumper across the toes so they don’t stub their toes etc. They love them! I also got DH a pair of crocs flip flops. I noticed on the boards everyone recommending skechers sandals. I found their tone-ups flip flops and got them in brown and black. They got here today and I tried them on….AMAZING!! I have terrible arthritis in my feet and these shoes felt so comfortable…I can’t wait to try them out later this week to break them in. So slowly but surely, the must buy list is being whittled away.
Which brings me to my next stop on this sneaky train
Our first full day at Disney gets started the proper way…with a character breakfast! We have reservations for Cape May and I am really looking forward to the Mickey Waffles After that we are headed straight for EPCOT. I am looking forward to enjoying the walk from BC to the park. It gives me time to point out some of the perks we have enjoyed in Deluxe thus far, and how if we want to enjoy those perks every time, maybe we should make time to talk to a DVC rep this week…….
At EPCOT, first stop is obviously SOARIN. DS is finally able to ride most of the rides this year (confirmed this weekend he is at 45”). He has already requested SOARIN and wants to check out Test Track if he can. From there just a laid back day enjoying it all. We planned extra days this year as opposed to our last trip where we had 1 day for each park. This allows us to slow down a bit knowing we have extra free days to come back to things.
Some must do’s on my list at some point:
- Soarin - Test Track - Gran Fiesta Tour - Living with the Land (love the gardens!) - The Seas with Nemo and Turtle Talk (Totally Dudes!)
With BC so close, we may take advantage of a break mid-day, although my kids manage to go go go on vacation and survive on very little sleep….wish I could For dinner that night we have reservations at Via Napoli. This is the only day during the trip that we are doing 2 TS in one day and it is to off-set DH and I going OOP for our fancy dinner later in the week. We are hoping to top of the night with Illuminations and then a nice stroll back to the resort. If we take a break mid-day and have extra energy, we may be-bop our way over to MK for EMH until 1am. Last trip I was worried that my kids wouldn’t be able to do evening EMH that late, but they were more awake than we were the whole time!!!
Coming up: Starting the day off with a roar!
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PREVIOUS TRIPS: 1997- Off-site, 2002-Contemporary, 2009- POFQ, 2011- Beach Club, 2012- Disney Magic, 2013 Disney Fantasy
I think the Kidada items are adorable but I can't justify the $40 for the itsy bitsy princesses - they're like potato chips, I can't have just one!!
You'll be so comfy in your sketchers sandals. I had the shape up work shoes and although they looked funny I never had any problems with my feet even after being on them for hours at a time.
Your plans look great! Good luck with convincing your husband to join DVC!! It took me 7 years to get my husband to agree. Now after 2 fabulous years of DVC vacations he is wondering why we didn't do this sooner!
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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with DVC. I have been working on my DH for a while now. Its not really something we could work in right now anyway. But I figure, go ahead and start planting the idea. That way, when we can work it in I will have a head start. I bought a book about DVC. The other day I was looking for the book and couldn't find it. I finally found it in the bathroom. My husband had been reading it. Maybe he is starting come around.
Jyl
I had forgotten that EE was only 44"...for some reason I thought it was closer to 50...good to know though! Can't wait for your PTR 
There is a running joke with our kids that their dad is just like Grumpy and he plays along with it and encourages them all the time!
Super plans for Epcot! 
It took me 7 years to get my husband to agree. Now after 2 fabulous years of DVC vacations he is wondering why we didn't do this sooner! 
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