A Dream is a Wish--Mini-TR [UPDATED WITH PIX posts 316 & 320] - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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When I was doing all my financial projection rambling, I completely forgot about TAX RETURNS!!!! I usually get quite a bit back from the IRS, but I wasn't thinking about that at all. Whoo hoo!!!!
Of course, the old '92 Festiva isn't going to run forever, so there is a chance we will need to put a bunch into a new-to-us car, or into the Festiva... So I don't feel like I can count on that money...But if I were to be able to dedicate the tax returns to trips, this could account for 30% on it's own... Hip Hip Hooray!!!!
Now that I have accepted that a sooner trip probably isn't going to happen, I feel excited counting down to less than 1 year. Whoo hoo!
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Savings update: Took quite a hit in December with holiday and homeschool supply spending. I'm fine with the purchases, but we dropped down to 13% of goal. I'm hoping we pop back up this month, I can't bear to update my ticker yet... I've been eating lots of beans and rice meals since New Years!
Lodging update: My dad and I have started a more earnest conversation about the kind of lodging we would like. We determined that the following criteria were MUSTS:
At least 1 separate bedroom. My dad snores, and we need a little time away from each other to stay sane.
Walking distance to parks (about 1.5 miles or less to the entrance). I feel like if I don't have to get in a car, I'm still in the bubble. We're all pretty active and enjoy the walk.
Hot tub. Pool is a plus, but the hot tub, after a long day on our feet, is essential. This is especially important for my son, who loves the water, and my mom, who has some pain issues and really appreciates hot tubs.
I priced 1br suites in the area at about 209 per night, and then started looking at Airbnb and vbro. Yes, we can get a lot more for our money by renting a house or condo.
Talk about amazing. I would recommend this place to anyone. But too much $ to spend when there are just 4 or 5 of us, last time there were 8. And really, this is way more space than we need.
We are now looking at the townhouse-condo complex just west of the Disneyland parking lots. Here's the one I like best, based on reviews and price.
These are pretty much the same price, after fees, as a hotel suite, and look how much more you get! I prefer this complex to the one south of the convention center, because of the open kitchen. It's also a shorter walk to the park. You can also just walk to/from the parking tram if you prefer, this would be handy for DS after a long day at the park.
Dates Update: I want to go the the parks for 4 days minimum, but I also want to be sure we have enough days in between park days, so that DS gets a break and I don't have to hear "I don't want to go to the parks AGAIN", which happens after 2 days, it seems. Soooo.....Now we are looking at getting the rental for 9 nights. Whoo hoo!!! I think we will end up with 5 day hoppers in this case, but one day might be just an evening trip over for fireworks or something.
Current proposed itinerary:
Sun 11/29: Arrive, unpack, grocery shop
Mon 11/30: Park!
Tues 12/1: Park!
Wed 12/2: Hang around house
Thu 12/3: Park!
Fri 12/4: Hang around, non park activity etc.
Sat 12/5: Hang around, non park activity etc.
Sun 12/6: Hang around, non park activity etc.
Mon 12/7: Park, last day
Tues 12/8: Leave for home
One of those weekend days could be a park day with the 5th day on our tix. We'd look at the weather report and aim for a day when it would be less crowded. One of those weekend days we would visit the Christmas market at Knott's, one we would probably go to the beach.
I'm comfortable asking for the 7 days off (Mon week 1 through Tues Week 2). It would mean very little sleep that Tuesday night after an 18 hr drive back home...but it's worth it to have that extra time.
That's the update. Getting psyched up. I'm certainly watching for info on the 60th Anniversary activities, and I'm really looking forward to having Fun with Farley again.
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I looked at the first link and I was like "wow" and then I looked at the second link and that wowed me just as much - it looks fantastic!
It's pretty amazing what is available within walking distance, this is because residential was put up right next to DL when it was built.
The first place is in a res. neighborhood put up when DL was built. Many of the houses look like they came out of fantasyland, with lots of gingerbread stuff. I really loved that part of staying in that house. Here's an example.
I grew up hating ranch-style houses, back when EVERYTHING was a ranch, but now I'm seeing the beauty of them.
I will miss these neighborhoods if we stay in the condo development, which I think we will. It's not much to look at from the outside.
But hey, I want to do this every 2 years, so I can't stay in the absolute lap of luxury. The condo townhouse will be just fine!
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles!
That place looks incredible - if DVC doesn't work out I'd look into that!
If you are talking about the first link, I can give it a glowing endorsement. We stayed with 8 people and it was SPACIOUS, comfortable, great. The host was amazing and lives across the street. We never needed her, but if we had, she was right there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
You can't beat those villas, especially as close as they are to the parks.
I know, and especially when you compare the price to a hotel suite!
Now, I can't afford any of these places on my own. I don't know if you all remember where I stayed at WDW...The Rodeway Inn, $28 per night. But that was just my nuclear family, and most of the time just me and DH. Since we are with my parents too, we need to be able to put a wall between us at some point, or we'll eat each other alive.
Isn't it awesome!!! I love the wild decor, something I would never want in my own home but will be fun for a long week. The only thing we weren't super thrilled with is the living room layout and the fact that the patios won't get much winter sun. But the open kitchen is stellar, much better than others in this complex. I'm psyched, and so is my Dad, who pulled the trigger on this yesterday. He'll be footing about 2/3 of the bill. Thanks Dad!
I still haven't officially gotten the time of of work, but they are just going to have to be ok with it!
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Ohmagosh!! That is a beautiful rental. I am so saving the link for when the BF does the Oceanside triathlon. Beacuse, visiting Disneyland while out there is just what one does
Can't wait to hear your reviews!
__________________
~ Jenn **Disney is REAL LIFE Magic, so much more than optical illusions **
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