Goin' Down the Bayou ~ The TR (November 1-10, 2012) - Page 34 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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!
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.
Great wrap up Jenn I hope you are feeling better. I hope the summer trip works out for you. I'm planning on heading down Aug 2014 so maybe you'll enjoy summer and stick with it.
Thanks, Holly! We are all feeling better finally. We'll see about summer at Disney, at first I was worried about the heat, but realized who cares??! It's going to be hot here in August anyway, and if I'm going to be hot I'd rather be in Disney!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mommapants
They were talking about this on this week's moms podcast about how they now assign you a time slot if you don't use the Disney buses.
Thanks for the info, I'm going to check out the podcast now!
We'll see about summer at Disney, at first I was worried about the heat, but realized who cares??! It's going to be hot here in August anyway, and if I'm going to be hot I'd rather be in Disney!
Well said - I couldn't agree more. I always say the same thing - it is hot in Jersey in August too.
Great final thoughts. I totally agree with you about the dining plan and the amount of food they give you. Personally, I'd like an appetizer instead of a dessert as well, but unless I'm getting it free like you did, I wouldn't purchase it again. So jealous of your August trip and cruise!
Great final thoughts. I am totally with you on the dining plan. i don't think we enjoyed the TS meals we had as much as we should have as we had always eaten too much. We aren't doing it next time either.
As for the heat in summer it is bearable. We have done July 3 times now and the heat hasn't been too bad. And we come from Scotland!
Great final thoughts. I totally agree with you about the dining plan and the amount of food they give you. Personally, I'd like an appetizer instead of a dessert as well, but unless I'm getting it free like you did, I wouldn't purchase it again. So jealous of your August trip and cruise!
It's so funny, because even though I read about the dining plan before we left and saw so many people talk about how it was so much food, I really didn't believe it. On paper it doesn't seem like a lot, but holy cow was I full!! I also didn't like that I HAD to order an entree, sometimes I like to get a few appetizers for my meal, especially when my appetite is lacking. Even still, if free dining is the only promo (if there even is one) for August, will be taking it
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomhazel
Great final thoughts. I am totally with you on the dining plan. i don't think we enjoyed the TS meals we had as much as we should have as we had always eaten too much. We aren't doing it next time either.
As for the heat in summer it is bearable. We have done July 3 times now and the heat hasn't been too bad. And we come from Scotland!
I think I've spoiled myself going in Oct/Nov for our last few trips and having cool and comfortable weather It will definitely be different in August, but I'm sure nothing we can't handle
I've been a couple in the heat of summer June/July and it is hot. I've also been a few times in August, Still hot but not as crowded. We tend to go the last full week in August and find all the local schools are back in session so the crowded are lighter. Never waited more than 15-20 minutes for anything. It is going to be hot but that is the trade off you have to do for NOT taking your children out of school. The parks are open later so we always take afternoon breaks and then just stay a little later at night at the parks. If you look to see when Disney changes thier rates from summer season to non peak times About the 3rd week in August and then book right about then you'll be pretty good with the crowds.
I haven't booked anything yet but I'm hoping to confirm some things at the one-year mark but hoping to go August 17 - 31, 2014. Maybe you'll be there then too.
I've been a couple in the heat of summer June/July and it is hot. I've also been a few times in August, Still hot but not as crowded. We tend to go the last full week in August and find all the local schools are back in session so the crowded are lighter. Never waited more than 15-20 minutes for anything. It is going to be hot but that is the trade off you have to do for NOT taking your children out of school. The parks are open later so we always take afternoon breaks and then just stay a little later at night at the parks. If you look to see when Disney changes thier rates from summer season to non peak times About the 3rd week in August and then book right about then you'll be pretty good with the crowds.
I haven't booked anything yet but I'm hoping to confirm some things at the one-year mark but hoping to go August 17 - 31, 2014. Maybe you'll be there then too.
Right now we are booked for 8/20-8/29, and from what I've seen on the crowd calendars things should be good! We are also used to the parks closing a little earlier when we go in November, it will be nice to have time for a good afternoon break, rather than worrying about getting back to the parks so we have some decent time before they close We'll see how it goes, but you just might see us back the same time next year!
Alrighty, it took me 2 days, but I finally finished reading your report. What a great trip you had! Your girls are dolls and they looked like they had an absolute blast I love that they carried those Duffys everywhere! Depending on the FD offer for August (if there is one!), we may switch from AOA to POR FQ - maybe we'll see you ordering beignets
__________________
Stacey
Why do these kids look so pathetic?
Find out in: A New Grade, A New House, and A Surprise!Final Thoughts 01/30
Thanks, Stacey!! It was a great trip, one of our best yet
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for free dining (or at least some kind of discount offer) for August, hope we get it! Especially since we had a bounceback offer in our room for free dining that covered our dates. I wanted to book it, figuring we could cancel if the dates didn't work out with the school calendar, but I couldn't talk Chris into it
Okay, it took me a long time, but I finished it and here's a giant post
I really thought I had at least posted a partial catch up, because I know I saw the face paint
Anyway, I love the face paint, beautiful job and the girls look beautiful.
The gift shop displays are so cute, I'm looking forward to POR
Craig wants to know if they have meatballs on the pasta bar.
Ooh, you had a great view of Wishes and I like that plate for Kaeli
Lucky you got in to see the FLE. Can't wait to see it this trip.
Wow, glad you put at in about the fishing. The boys were excited when they saw that there, but it sounds like they'll still be able to do it huh?
Oh no!! The power went out! I can totally understand why Abby was so worried after all that happened at home before you left
So the beignets are at FQ? And good to know Tyler can have them. I'll just have to check for Jason.
We have breakfast at BC this trip, I think a cab will be the way to go
The boys really want to do DQ this trip. Did you play the giant ducks pinball?
I'm so getting the salted caramel from Germany!
Yikes I never would have thought about getting sick at Garden Grill, but can totally see it.
I'm so glad you guys enjoyed the tour and that it was different so you could be surprised too.
Omg, look at Kaeli's face with that hot dog
Haha! Love Abby on Splash!!
Sorry you weren't feeling well when we met up with you at DHS, did you ever figure out why? And I thought that g up was wearing a party hat
Okay, now I might have to find a place to fit in T-Rex
Aw, I cried too leaving this time.
Whoa! Giant post I'm so excited that you guys are going to stay at POR, I think you will love it! Too bad we are going to miss you by mere hours though We'll talk though, and hopefully your plans will allow for us to get together Sunday after we get back from the cruise. Anyway, I wanted to respond to some of your posts, so I'm just going to do it in the quote below
Quote:
Originally Posted by dsteiny23
Okay, it took me a long time, but I finished it and here's a giant post
I really thought I had at least posted a partial catch up, because I know I saw the face paint
Anyway, I love the face paint, beautiful job and the girls look beautiful. Thanks!!
The gift shop displays are so cute, I'm looking forward to POR They are cute, right? They are animated too
Craig wants to know if they have meatballs on the pasta bar. Nope, sorry, Craig! Seems like an obvious choice for a pasta bar, but I only remember shrimp or chicken and lots of different veggies.
Ooh, you had a great view of Wishes and I like that plate for Kaeli The view from the party is great, you should try it! They were so accomodating with allergies, I'm sure they could whip up some yummy things for your boys too!
Lucky you got in to see the FLE. Can't wait to see it this trip. It was nice to see it, I can't wait to get on Journey of the Little Mermaid this time though!
Wow, glad you put at in about the fishing. The boys were excited when they saw that there, but it sounds like they'll still be able to do it huh? They should be fine, as long as you let them know about the allergy so they give you bait without peanuts Fishing was fun, but be prepared to not catch any I'm still not convinced that there are any actual fish in that river, we never saw any!!
Oh no!! The power went out! I can totally understand why Abby was so worried after all that happened at home before you left I don't blame them for worrying, I was a little worried myself
So the beignets are at FQ? And good to know Tyler can have them. I'll just have to check for Jason. Yep, FQ is where you'll find the beignets Email special diets before you go, that's what I did and they got back to me really quickly with a response from the FQ chefs that it was fine for Kaeli. Hopefully they will have the same answer for Jason, but if they do say no at least you found out before making the trek over to FQ.
We have breakfast at BC this trip, I think a cab will be the way to go It's so worth it!
The boys really want to do DQ this trip. Did you play the giant ducks pinball? Giant ducks pinball??? What is that? We totally missed it
I'm so getting the salted caramel from Germany! Get two! So yummy
Yikes I never would have thought about getting sick at Garden Grill, but can totally see it. I never thought about it either. It was horrible I definitely won't sit in that position there again!
I'm so glad you guys enjoyed the tour and that it was different so you could be surprised too. I definitely would have still enjoyed it if it was the same as you told me, but it was a nice surprise to have it be different
Omg, look at Kaeli's face with that hot dog She still talks about that hot dog and how big it was!
Haha! Love Abby on Splash!! Haha, she's a nut
Sorry you weren't feeling well when we met up with you at DHS, did you ever figure out why? And I thought that g up was wearing a party hat I never did figure out why, but I figured I must have gotten a touch of a bug or something. My friend who was there also had gotten sick for a couple of days earlier in the week with a nasty stomach bug, and I found out afterwards that her DH was having some of the same symptoms as me, dizziness and nausea, so maybe it was just that bug working through me.
Okay, now I might have to find a place to fit in T-Rex The boys would love it! The food is meh, but the atmosphere is really fun! We'll have to talk about this, most likely we'll be having dinner here on Sunday night, if you do DTD/DQ that day you should join us!!
Aw, I cried too leaving this time. It was so hard leaving this time
About This Page: 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
Holly: 
Linear Mode
