The "Together the Magic Continues - As a Family" Trip Report. Aug 26 - Sept 6 at POP - COMPLETE!! 11/15 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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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.
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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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Location: Physically stuck in Michigan while my heart and soul reside in Disney.....
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Ok, My turn........It is quite convenient how we were able to go different ways with different groups of people on some occassions! I especailly found that helpful with my 14 year old as she swears...."last year of Disney for me!!" There were so many things we took in while Brent so graciously took the others and did more rides etc.
we also had alot of great times together!!! I just couldn't get this pic to size any larger without a huge blur....but I love it!
Now I thought this was really cool! I have seen where they put Simba in your hand or Tink....but not this! The photographer wouldn't tell us what they were poseing for...he said it was a "surprise".
Tori and I.
Tori in France, she is actually going there with her French class next summer and I am soooooo hoping to chaperone! Watch out France! I will be at the mercy of my French speaking daughter! Guess I better not make her mad.....I can't even ask for a bathroom in French!
This is where we agree to disagree! I LOVE Beirgarten! Probably cause I grew up with a huge German backgroud, since my grandma is long gone and my dad passed away a few years back this place is almost spiritual to me. Yes, I have had better authentic german food, but the connection to a huge amount of history is just rushed back to me there. This is also where the dynamics of our family come in to play. Those of us who want to go back next year can....those who don't can go somewhere with more tradional fare. Win, Win situation!
Yes, Brent is right.....kids are weak! More than once we left them in the dust! LOL.....heres the proof! They were soooo begging us to stop! LOL
I think this is where she was texting Grandma to come rescue here from the over acheiveing parents! LOL
Ohhhh what a great trip! This is just telling me "go back, go back...now!" My brother in law and sister in law are there right now. I am soooo jealous! Hope they are having a great time!
Ok, here is my teaser! Can't wait til Brent tells you about our waiter, Bob, (or was that Bobo?) at Whispering Canyon!!!
Great updates, both of you! Your PP photos are terrific! for the reviews on Biergarten. I am only third generation American on my Mom's side as all her grandparents came over from Germany through Ellis Island in the late 1800s. I've been thinking of eating here, but was unsure. Now it's on my list to definitely choose.
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Just getting caught up, you two - excellent trip and I love how your family dynamics work at Disney. I think our family could learn a thing or two from you. Great photos, too.
I love reading both of your views...and the pictures are great. The ones from TL just amazing, everyone looks like they are having the time of their lives. It is really great that the new family dynamics are working our for everyone - and it looks to be a great benefit. Love seeing the family pictures, you all look great together.
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.
Caught up! And what great dual TRs. Love the tag-team! You all seem to be having a blast so far. And the splitting up instead of sitting around waiting seems to be working great! Looking forward to more.
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Day 3, Saturday August 29, 2009 Animal Kingdom Day!!
Day 3, Saturday August 29, 2009 Animal Kingdom Day!!
Once again I wake up before everyone else and make my pilgrimage to the food court for my cup of coffee. I realize it’s not the best coffee in the world but it’s Disney coffee. Take a stroll through the Bowling Pins and around the 60’s areas. I notice they are repainting several of the Yo-Yos around the staircases. I LOVE these warm mornings. So peaceful. Go back to the food court to refill my coffee and run into an elderly gentlemen working at the food court and I strike up a conversation. He retired to Florida and wound up working for Disney part time. If that’s retirement, sign me up!!! Back to the room to wake up all the sleepyheads then off we go to Animal Kingdom. It is an evening EMH so we expected big crowds, but they were not that bad at all. We split up again as Cheyenne (Gubby) does not care for the big rides. She and Liz go off in Search of Characters and Photopass photographers as you can see here:
Tori, Brendan, Jordan and myself head for Expedition Everest and walk right on. Get off and there is still no line so we go again! Well since I am a very young looking 42 years of age I decide this is enough for me so I wait while the kids go again. We then head for Dinoland and ride Dinosaur, and the coaster that spins (Primeval whirl?) after this we head for the safari to meet up with the Liz and Gubby. So far we have all had a great time! Ride the safari then it’s time for lunch at the Flame Tree. We went here last year as well, and I got the ribs both times and they were like leather both times. L If we come back I’m getting the chicken. After this it was back to Dinoland to ride dinosaur again. As you can see the Liz and Tori found a way to keep themselves occupied while we were in line: J
Notice the glassed over look in their eyes, almost like they’re in a trance. In fact, this was a picture I could have taken MANY times on this trip. J Just kidding hun. You weren’t on the phone that much.
Now it was time for the NEMO show. It was very well done and we enjoyed it very much. By this time we were ready for a swim break so back to the hotel we went. Now we split up again. Liz, Tori, and Cheyenne are headed to Boma, but we decide to just grab a quick meal and go back to Animal Kingdom for EMH. Had a bit of a disappointment when we got there. Turns out the park was open until 7 for the general public, which only gave 1 hour for EMH. Isn’t it usually 3 hours extra for evening EMH? Ah well, the kids just wanted to marathon Expedition Everest, and I had a beer or two in me from our late lunch so I hung right with them. Dusk was starting to set in, and it was really a good time. Going up the lift hill when it’s just starting to get dark is very cool. We head back to the room and notice Liz and the girls aren’t back yet. Hmmm what gives? When they finally get back, Liz relates a horror story of how they didn’t get checked in at the desk of Boma when they got there, so they stood around for over an hour waiting, then finally the manager from JIKO came over and seated them, but didn’t tell anyone, so they sat for an hour more with no food! Bummer!! Ah well, a dip in the pool makes everything better and we head for a good nights sleep.
Tomorrow: Epcot and the unusual waitress! Coming soon: An extraordinary coincidence at 1900 Park Faire, and Liz gets a gift from me!
Brent
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Last edited by Disdadnmi; 10-03-2009 at 09:30 PM..
Boy you guys are such teasers... But now I know that I want to get the balloon photo on the Photopass. This is such great tag team reporting. I hope that since my mom and the kids are all on the boards now that we can have quite the report when we get back.
Sounds like a great day at AK with everyone enjoying their favorites. Sorry Liz and the girls had such a hard time with their dinner, but glad that a nice relaxing evening at the pool got everyone in better spirits.