The "No, we're not crazy for driving from Michigan" PTR - Page 3 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
PassPorter.com
Award-winning travel guidebooks

   guidebooks   |   news   |   podcasts   |   boards   |   blog   |   worksheets   |   photos   |   articles   |   updates   |   register   |   follow us on


Forums Closed
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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!

Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!

Go Back   PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums > PassPorter's Walt Disney World Resort (Florida) > Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
Register


Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.

To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.

If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-10-2010, 02:22 AM   #31
chezp
PassPorter Message Board Manager
PassPorter Guide Author

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
chezp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285

Post Thanks / Like
Great updates and nice plans!
__________________

Relaxing on board the Magic. The trip report for our back-to-back cruises on the Disney Magic has started!
My Countdown Counting down to: 2019
Happy New Year!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips21 trips to WDW, 6 to Disneyland in California, 9 to Disneyland Paris, 1 to Hong Kong Disneyland, 1 to Tokyo Disney, 1 to Aulani, 1 to Hilton Head, 2 to Vero Beach and 13 Disney cruises on the Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy
chezp is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2010, 01:48 PM   #32
countrykid
Community Rank: Adventurer
 
countrykid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Indiana
Posts: 603

Post Thanks / Like
We will be driving from north of IndianapolisIN this Sept. We tried the drive straight through thing it never really worked. My DH & I both have a hard time sleeping in the car. My plan is to make it past Atlanta before we stop to sleep. I hate to spend the money on a room, but think it will make for a better over all trip if we aren't so whipped out from the drive. I love your TR can't wait to read more!! Plus I want to see how your drive went maybe you can give me some tips. I believe your drive will be similar to ours. I-75 right?
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsSummer family vacation 1989, Spring break with a friend and her family 1991, Christmas family vacation 2002, Quick 2 day trip with BFF and my kiddos 8/12/04, Took my mom and kids truly Amazing trip we met homeschoolers from all over participated in Disney's YES program enjoyed the F&WF, MNSSHP, and celebrated my mom being cancer free best trip ever Sept. 2010 :) Family summer vacation July 2012, Disneymoon Jan/Feb 2015, Quick 2 day trip with BFF her aunt & kiddos 2016, BFF 20 years of friendship trip April 2017, when she went home my hubby joined me for our belated anniversary trip ♡
countrykid is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2010, 05:14 PM   #33
mama2disneyfan
Community Rank: Trekker
 
mama2disneyfan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Michigan
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 1,515

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by Disdadnmi View Post
We're neighbors! We live in Battle Creek. How long did it take you to get there?

Brent

I am so close to you!! Crazy! We live just north of you
Have a great trip! Safe driving!
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsWDW 3/2004 All Star Sports; 3/2009 YC; 7/2009 CR; 1/2010 GF; 9/2014 WL
mama2disneyfan is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2010, 06:09 PM   #34
KMB733
PassPorter Guide

Community Rank:
Legend Extraordinaire
 
KMB733's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ballston Lake, NY
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 46,162

Post Thanks / Like
Great plans!!
__________________
Kathy
PassPorter Co-Guide for: Making More Magic
My Countdown Counting down to: Christmas
Merry Christmas
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsWDW June 1979, WDW 1985, WDW 1987, WDW Oct 2003, WDW March 2004, WDW Oct 2004, WDW Sept 2005--Pop Century , WDW Nov 2006--Pop Century, WDW Jan 2007--Pop Century, WDW Nov/Dec 2009--Pop Century, DLR Oct 2011, WDW Dec 2014
KMB733 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2010, 07:26 PM   #35
carters_mom
Community Rank: Globetrotter
 
carters_mom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Concierge Level: 2
Posts: 3,062

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by Disdadnmi View Post
We're neighbors! We live in Battle Creek. How long did it take you to get there?

Brent
We stayed over to visit a couple of sites on the way down, but drove straight through on our way home. We were making really good time on our way home until we hit Indianapolis which tacked on probably about an hour alone. In the end it was around 20hrs I was so proud of our son (7 at the time) he was a great traveler and didn't complain at all.
That moment where you hit your state line and then highway exit ramp to home is one of the greatest feelings EVER after that kind of a drive though

Super cool that you guys live like 10 minutes away from us!
__________________

Offsite May 2005, POR September 2006, POR August 2007, POFQ December 2008, POR February 2010,
Pop Century April 2011,
My PassPorter Bookshelf
carters_mom is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2010, 07:41 PM   #36
nalexander
Community Rank: Trekker
 
nalexander's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: North Ridgeville, Oh
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 1,230

Post Thanks / Like
We drive down from Cleveland, Ohio and our DS has been great with the drive. We leave when DH gets off work and drive to Charolotte, NC and sleep for the night. We get up early and finish the drive. On our way home we drive straight back. It takes us about 16-17 hours. Shan DS sleeps we get time to talk without being interrupted. (sometimes I forget what it is like to talk with an adult after being with a three year old all day)
__________________


My Little Pirate is Turning Five
My Countdown Counting down to: Byron's 5th Birthday Celebration
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsWDW Sept 2004 POFQ, 2008 CRB, 2009 POP, 2010 BC
nalexander is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2010, 08:25 PM   #37
Disdadnmi
Community Rank: Trekker
 
Disdadnmi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,115

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by mama2disneyfan View Post
I am so close to you!! Crazy! We live just north of you
Have a great trip! Safe driving!




This is Crazy! Here I am sitting here reading this wearing my NY Yankees Jersey and I see your Avatar.

Gotta love that Derek Jeter, huh?

We went back and forth about driving several times. We almost flew because Airtran now goes nonstop to Orlando out of Grand Rapids. But any way you slice it, it's much cheaper to drive with 6 of us.

Brent
__________________


My Countdown Counting down to: Countdown to Mid May Trip!!!
My Previous TripsWDW Oct 21 - 26, 2006 WDW Sept 29 - Oct 6, 2007 WDW August 23 - Sept 1, 2008 WDW August 27 - Sept 5, 2009 WDW Jan 27 - Feb 1, 2009, 1st Anniversary Trip WDW Aug 23 - Sept 3, 2010
Disdadnmi is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2010, 08:58 PM   #38
mojjo
 
mojjo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Fairless Hills, PA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 2,871

Post Thanks / Like
Plans sound great so far...and ponchos definately count as part of packing as they are part of the Disney uniform.
__________________

My Countdown Counting down to: Return to the Bubble
Sharing in the Magic!!!
My Previous TripsPoly Dec. 1979,off-site Aug. 1990, off-site June 1992, off-site Aug. 1993, CBR Sept. 2008, CBR Jan/Feb 2010, POFQ Dec 2011
mojjo is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2010, 09:26 PM   #39
mama2disneyfan
Community Rank: Trekker
 
mama2disneyfan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Michigan
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 1,515

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by Disdadnmi View Post
This is Crazy! Here I am sitting here reading this wearing my NY Yankees Jersey and I see your Avatar.

Gotta love that Derek Jeter, huh?

We went back and forth about driving several times. We almost flew because Airtran now goes nonstop to Orlando out of Grand Rapids. But any way you slice it, it's much cheaper to drive with 6 of us.

Brent
Go Yankees! We were delighted when Airtran came to GR - about 35 minutes or so for us. Much better than the drive to Detroit. Well, it isn't so much the drive to DTW it is the drive home.

Your plans sound great! What route are you planning to drive?
My dad lives in Battle Creek and has always drove to WDW. They usually stayed in GA for the night and then continued on though.
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsWDW 3/2004 All Star Sports; 3/2009 YC; 7/2009 CR; 1/2010 GF; 9/2014 WL
mama2disneyfan is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2010, 10:45 PM   #40
Cam22
Batman's Gal/Mickey's Pal
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
Cam22's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Owensboro, KY USA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 95,254

Post Thanks / Like
Great additions, Liz!
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsAKL Jambo April/May 2017--SSR/OKW Sept/Oct 2016 --AKL Kidani May 2016 -- Polynesian Village Resort May 2015 -- OKW/Magic December 2014 -- AKL Jambo House October 2014 -- VWL May 2014--SSR October 2013--AKL/Kidani June 2013--CBR October 2012--BWI June 2012--AKV Jambo House/Kidani Village June 2011 -- November 2010 Beach Club -- June 2010 Beach Club -- October 2009 CBR and Gaylord Palms -- June 2009 AKV/Kidani Village -- June 2008 VWL --June 2007 OKW--June 2006 Disney Wonder/SSR -- June 2005 SSR -- June 2004 VWL -- June 2003 AKL -- August 1997 Off Property -- March 1980 Cocoa Beach
Cam22 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2010, 12:37 PM   #41
smilechaser
Community Rank: Jetsetter
 
smilechaser's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Physically stuck in Michigan while my heart and soul reside in Disney.....
Posts: 2,680

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by Disdadnmi View Post
This is Crazy! Here I am sitting here reading this wearing my NY Yankees Jersey and I see your Avatar.

Gotta love that Derek Jeter, huh?

We went back and forth about driving several times. We almost flew because Airtran now goes nonstop to Orlando out of Grand Rapids. But any way you slice it, it's much cheaper to drive with 6 of us.

Brent
Yep....once last "throw in" here. LOL....just checked tickets out of GR again this morning after a sale came through our email. Cheaper than ever....... Are you SURE about this driving thing??? Hee Hee.
__________________

My Countdown Counting down to: Smilechasers daughter turns 16!!
Off to NeverNeverLand.....
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsNovember '95 Dixie Landings October '02 ASMo December 04 ASMu October '06 POP Sept/Oct '07 POP August '08 POP February '09 POP ..................
smilechaser is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2010, 03:39 PM   #42
lazanya
Community Rank: Legend
 
lazanya's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 26,695

Post Thanks / Like
Great plans!
lazanya is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2010, 04:11 PM   #43
mcc0313
Community Rank: Legend
 
mcc0313's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: New York
Concierge Level: 2
Posts: 16,622

Post Thanks / Like
Your plans sound great so far
__________________
Meg

My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsBWV & POLY 8/15, OKW 2/15, BWI 11/14, AKV & BCV 8/14, CSR 10/13, OKW & AKV 8/13, AKV & BLT 7/12, AKV & BWV 8/11, BCV 2/11, POR & BWV 8/10, POR 8/09, POR 12/08, ASMo 6/08, POR 5/06, WDW 10/83
mcc0313 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2010, 12:38 AM   #44
Pinkyt177
Community Rank: Trekker
 
Pinkyt177's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Normal, Illinois
Concierge Level: 4
Posts: 1,593

Post Thanks / Like
Any chance your 15 year old has a learners permit and might get some driving time in?
__________________
Cassie


My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Tripswdw 1976 off property, wdw 10/2007 sheraton vistana, disney cruise 12/2008 aboard the Wonder, 7/2010 Pop Century, 12/10 AKL, 3/12 POFQ, 1/13 AofA, 3/13 Disneyland
Pinkyt177 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2010, 09:47 PM   #45
Disdadnmi
Community Rank: Trekker
 
Disdadnmi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,115

Post Thanks / Like
Thursday 8/26:
Our ADR's are at Epcot today, and we are splitting up for dinner: One of Liz and the girl's must do traditions is Biergarten. I did it last year and didn't really care for it unfortunately. Soooo Liz Tori and Cheyenne will go to Biergarten while Brendan, Jordan, and I will harass the princesses at Akershush. . I do hope my beloved Cinderella will be there so I can tell Liz about my exploits with her later on. Hee !!!

The morning is pretty much open so I am thinking possibly a water park to start the day.



Friday 8/27:

Magic Kingdom all the way today baby! Cheyenne and Jordan are getting made up at the Bibbidi Boppiddi Boutique:




Our appointment is at 8:30, so we get to come in early and walk down Main Street with noone else around. I LOVE that. It's just surreal. We may take a midday break at the resort or go check out some other resorts then it's back to MK for evening EMH. Main Street Electrical Parade is scheduled this night as well so we MUST see that. Then we plan on staying late for EMH. Love Splash Mountain and Big Thunder at night. Coming out just before the big drop on Splash mountain seeing the castle all lit up is fantastic!

Saturday 8/28:

We may take a day off from the parks this day to save a day of park admission for our last day. (we're here 11 days and we only have 10 day tickets.) Our Dinner reservations are at Whispering Canyon: Brendans favorite:


Maybe we'll take this day to rent a sea raycer or go to Disney Quest. Any ideas Liz? Hmmmm perhaps this is the day I'll let the troops sleep in a bit and lounge around the resort? Nah!!! We're on vacation! Get your buts out of bed!

Sunday 8/29:

Breakfast at CRT!!!! Whoo Hoo!!! I just love this meal. Quality time with Cinderella AND the princesses. Gonna be walking down Main Street in the morning light with noone else around again. I can't wait!! Liz and the girls are going to do another one of thier traditions today as well: Tony's Town Square. Hmmm Maybe I can sneak back to the Princess tent at Toon town while she's eating??



Thats all for now. My body needs sleep and there's still a lot to do before we leave and it's just over a week away!!!

Brent
__________________


My Countdown Counting down to: Countdown to Mid May Trip!!!
My Previous TripsWDW Oct 21 - 26, 2006 WDW Sept 29 - Oct 6, 2007 WDW August 23 - Sept 1, 2008 WDW August 27 - Sept 5, 2009 WDW Jan 27 - Feb 1, 2009, 1st Anniversary Trip WDW Aug 23 - Sept 3, 2010

Last edited by Disdadnmi; 08-12-2010 at 10:06 PM..
Disdadnmi is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Reply




Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump














Please login or register to hide these ads -- it's free and easy!

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:45 PM.

-->

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like v3.4.0 Patch Level 1 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
(c) 1998-2017 PassPorter Travel Press/MediaMarx, Inc.
Celebrating 19 Years of Making Dreams Come True
Ad Management plugin by RedTyger