My Best Trip Ever! A Disney Trip 10 Years in the Making - Page 30 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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.
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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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The alarm went off all too early this morning and I slowly dragged myself out of bed. As sad as it always is to leave WDW I was looking forward to seeing my dogs and sleeping in my own bed.
We checked out of the hotel and in the cool of the morning drove our way to the airport. It was still dark out and we were all pretty quiet. Evan saw a garbage truck and that sparked his interest. He couldn’t believe people were working at that hour (to him it was still the middle of the night because it was still dark). It was cute; we played a game of “who works at night?”. Gunnar, Bryson and Evan were all calling out people that would have to work at night. We got all the usual stuff …doctors, Police, Firefighters, garbage men. We paid a toll and Evan calls out “toll collectors”. We pass a building that has an American flag waving and I said “Oh that flag reminds me, who else do you think works at night?” I was expecting soldiers or the President or something. Evan calls out from the back seat. “The American Red Cross”. What? Seriously? Where do they come up with it? Mom, Chris and I bust out laughing. I just never expected that. Evan is all like “What? What’s so funny?” Mom is like “where did you hear that?” “From my movie” he replies. Evan has like 25 DVD’s about fire trucks, ambulances, police, emergency vehicles. One of them they actually visit the Red Cross and see how they help people in an emergency. It is good to know he is learning something from all those DVD’s. He actually has learned a lot from them as the other day he was singing a song about stop, drop and roll and about calling 911.
After a good we get to the airport. I drop everyone off at the terminal and tell Mom to just wait for me as she won’t be able to do anything until we all are there. Jill drops off her family and bags too and then we take the cars back to the rental location. No problems with the drop off (unless you count the added fee for losing my keys). I think we got in just in time because about 8 cars pulled in behind us.
We walk back to the terminal and Mom comes up to me – “we are all set”. I’m like WHAT? HOW? The guy at curb side check in took all our bags and checked everyone in for the flight. To say I was shocked was an understatement. I never thought they would check you in with out seeing ID. Oh well – that was one task down. We moved onto security even though Jill and her group weren’t done. I knew Christine would get screened again and figured we could use the extra time.
There was a line at security but it moved quickly. I think we were through in about 15 minutes. Chris did get pulled aside, AGAIN. And she had packed drinks in the boy’s carry-ons, AGAIN. But the TSA let them go through. They were yogurt drinks and they were going to have them for breakfast. I guess we looked safe enough and so we didn’t have to throw them out.
We had a quick breakfast at the airport and Evan did a coloring and sticker packet he had bought in Epcot. The flight was on time and uneventful. The ride home from the airport was a tight squeeze as we were all in one limo (11 of us) and of course a fight ensued when all the kids wanted to sit in the same seat. After that got straighten out we played “Guess the ride” on the way home think of 20 questions-Disney style.
On the way home Gunnar was getting upset over something, I don’t know what it was now and he began to cry. By the time we dropped my sister and her family off he was so upset he actually got sick, thankfully outside and not in the car. He claims it was car sickness. Bryson does get car sick but he was fine. Gunnar who has never been car sick before now all of a sudden has car sickness (sounds fishy to me) but again not my kid.
Soon we were home and being greeted by 2 very happy doggies. The vacation was over.
I had a great time. Despite the ups and down which I would expect in any vacation. This was still the best WDW vacation I ever had. I got to see Disney through my child’s eyes and feel his excitement and wonder of it all. As much as I love my family my favorite times were when it was just the two of us. Maybe that is because it was precious few times and that made them all the more special or maybe it was just because we could bond together. Either way – it was the best.
That last day was almost perfect - except for that middle part in Epcot.
I love that you had the best trip ever despite the bumps you had with your traveling companions.
Will you be doing a cruise report too? I sure hope so!
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Sounds like a nice relaxing evening. Glad the trip was uneventful. Looking forward to your final thoughts. Hope you have a great weekend and Happy Mother's Day!!
So sorry to see this come to an end. It really was a great trip overall. Your wonderful moments with Evan the Birthday King were so special. I'm with Kelly-- hope you're doing a cruise report. Glad you've got another touch of Disney coming up so soon. ("American Red Cross"? Not bad for a 5-yr-old!)
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Just catching up, Holly! It seemed like your last few days weren't as dramatic, but that could be because you spent a lot of time without the drama queens! I'm glad you had a wonderful time and that Evan has been won over. Looking forward to your final thoughts.
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
It was very nice and relaxing I hope to make this a new tradition - but hopefully get to the correct beach to hear the music.
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Originally Posted by OneLittleSpark
Sounds like a nice relaxing evening to end your vacation. How sweet that they bought you something to show their appreciation for all your planning.
Thanks for sharing your trip with us all Holly. I have enjoyed reading all about it, both good and bad.
I think I might detach the chams as they are just clipped in and mack zipper pulls for Evan's coat of of them.
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Originally Posted by lazanya
What a great last evening!
It was, and very relaxing. That last inhale of Disney Magic.
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Originally Posted by lauriep
VERY nice of your family to give you the charm bracelet (even if they're not the most observant bunch if you never wear that type of jewelry)! At least there was an acknowlegement of all the work you did. And hooray for Evan being a Disney fan, not that there was much doubt of that. I hope you have many happy times just the two of you enjoying MK in your future!
Me too. I'm sure my mom was the mastermind behid it. I get my love of travel from her and she knows what kind of planning goes into it. Everyone else is just clueless.
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Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Sounds like a great last evening!
very nice and very relaxing, just what I needed.
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Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
Sounds like a perfect night, with time on the beach, Wishes, and sand time for Evan.
Almost perfect - next time I'll make it to the correct beach to hear the music.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OneLittleSpark
Ugh, I realized I wrote my last response like that was your last one!
Sounds like a pretty uneventful trip home, which is a good thing.
It is really neat to see the world through a childs eyes, their excitement, wonder, and curiosity. It's the best!
Can't wait to hear your final thoughts!
Final thoughts coming up. I love the uneventful trip home. Once I'm in the mind set of getting home then I just want to get home!
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles!
That last day was almost perfect - except for that middle part in Epcot.
I love that you had the best trip ever despite the bumps you had with your traveling companions.
Will you be doing a cruise report too? I sure hope so!
Not sure about the cruise TR it is such a short trip...I'll try Agent P in epcot next time but it will just be me and Ev - not a herd.
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Originally Posted by emvenable77
Great updates! Reading your trip report has taught me some lessons about WDW with family!
I hope some good ones and I didn't turn you off. Best advice is plan group time and alone time. Sometimes just a trip to the store by yourself is all you need.
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Originally Posted by chezp
Sounds like a good journey home, but a shame to see this end.
It's always sad but happy to be home too. I alsways say I love to go away but always love coming home too.
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Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Sorry the trip is over, even with all the bumps in the road! Looking forward to your final thoughts!
At least the TR lets you relive it all again (the good and the not so good)
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
Sounds like a nice relaxing evening. Glad the trip was uneventful. Looking forward to your final thoughts. Hope you have a great weekend and Happy Mother's Day!!
Happy Mothers day to you too, A relaxing last night was really nice and think it's going to be my new tradition.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
So sorry to see this come to an end. It really was a great trip overall. Your wonderful moments with Evan the Birthday King were so special. I'm with Kelly-- hope you're doing a cruise report. Glad you've got another touch of Disney coming up so soon. ("American Red Cross"? Not bad for a 5-yr-old!)
I'm consatantly amazed at the stuff he knows.
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Originally Posted by Dlandmom2
Lots of ups and downs, but I'm glad it was your best vacation yet. I'm also glad that Evan seems to share mom's love for WDW!
Sad to see the vacation end, but I'm looking forward to hearing about your next adventure!
I don't know what I'd do if Evan hated it. I mean I wouldn't be able to force him to go and then I'd miss it so much - thank fully he loved it. Like there really was ever a doubt.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
Just catching up, Holly! It seemed like your last few days weren't as dramatic, but that could be because you spent a lot of time without the drama queens! I'm glad you had a wonderful time and that Evan has been won over. Looking forward to your final thoughts.
I think the drama queens needed that down time as well and do think they had a great time. They just don't get Disney the way we all do - pity!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dlandmom2
Hope you had a great Mother's Day!
Thanks - I did, took mom and Evan to Ocean City NJ, we went on some rides, walk the boards and had a nice meal on the boardwalk. Then I ate about 1/2 pounds of salt water taffy at home - I went to bed last night half sick to my stomach - why do I do that to myself???