Fifth Trip of First Around the “World” - Page 4 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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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.
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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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I’ve lost it--- you ask what? My mind for one thing but vouchers for another. I put the vouchers for mini-golf and arcade up so they were not lying around and forgot where I put them … until…I get home and found them. Oh well, bus transportation sounded complicated and time consuming. Wayne didn’t want to drive(especially after Kissimmee drive a week ago). We decided to go back to DHS since we had missed some of the attractions.
Lights,Motor Action’s first show didn’t start until after 1 PM so we decided to see if we could get onto TSMM(nope didn’t happen). It was a 40 minute or longer wait at 9:30 and FP was not a good time either. Maybe our next visit, if it is still around.
Now what do we want to do? Jeremy’s suggestion—Go on Star Tours II – off we go for the 4th and 5th time (in 2 days). We did go a TOTAL OF 5 times!!!! Anyone get the idea we loved the Star Tours II ride? How did you guess?
This was our next to the last day and all the going was catching up (even with the breaks and slower pace) so we stopped to sit and people watch. It was a perfect place to sit and watch the Jedi Training Academy. Jeremy got several good closeup camera shoots of Darth Vader and the stormtroopers.
Since we had dinner ADRs at Ohana, we needed a QS place to eat. We decided on Toy Story’s Pizza Planet. Jeremy was in the mood for pizza and I thought it would give him a chance to play some arcade games. I really felt bad about losing the voucher(thought it had gotten thrown away some how).
LMA was our next stop, via the scenic route. We saw the movie scene streets and the lights up ready for Christmas(would love to go and see them lighted sometime). I collected a few pressed pennies not owned. I know there are some who don’t care much for LMA but since it was another one of our Firsts, we really enjoyed it. I have always loved behind scene shows like these and having a 16 year who loves cars, motorcycles and moving vehicles-- this show was a must see!! He still likes CARS as well.
We head back to the Poly and O’hana. I have already told you about the food there. S-o-o-o-o g-o-o-o-d!!!! I think if we go
it will just be Jeremy and I alone.
UP NEXT: Nov. 1st Last Day… Last Park Animal Kingdom Round 2
Last edited by Pretty Kitty; 12-19-2012 at 05:44 PM..
Nov. 1st Last Day… Last Park Animal Kingdom Round 2
Jeremy decides he wants a poncho to go on KRR, so we stop to shop
before going into AK. New purchase with purchase--- Jiminy Cricket (12 inches or taller) stuffed toy. Okay, yes I bought it. I like Jiminy Cricket.
We head to the Wildlife Express to go to Rafaki’s Planet Watch. I was surprised to learn the trains let scooters ride on them now. Jeremy
was thrilled to watch the examination of new bird about to be released from quarantine. He wants to be a vet. It is amazing what you learn when talking to cast members; USF has a veterinary program and often students come from there to do work at Disney. Right up Jeremy's alley!!!
After coming back on the train, it was time to head over to Tusker House for our 11:30 lunch. the chance to try different food. A salad with apples, nuts and coucous was s-o-o-o-o good!!! Our picture was taken with Donald, quite the flirt, until reminded Daisy might be around, even then he kissed my hand goodbye. I loved being able to try some of the African foods. I have never been a fan of coucous but there were a couple of dishes with it that were good.
Next was the FOLK: I wanted to do it again since my camera was in working order and we also went by the tigers to get some pictures. One of the tigers had his face up near the window, licking the window. Wonderful picture we got!! If my camera had worked on Saturday, I would never had seen the closeup of the tiger. Tragedy turned to triumph!!
Weather had warmed up to the point I was ready to get wet on KRR, so we head over there only to discover … it is shutdown and they are working to get it back and running. Wayne decides to take a break while Jeremy and I head for a second ride on Dinosaur. I MUST really be to do this or those Sea Bands really do wonders!! We ride and then head back to pick up Wayne and see if KRR is back up. Not yet.
Jeremy decides he wants some popcorn. We thought we knew where there was a stand we had passed coming over to this area. We could not find it and the parade was about to start so we stopped to watch it. We learned afterwards, it closes because of the parade and doesn’t open back up when park closes at 5 PM. Jeremy didn’t get his popcorn till we got back to the resort. The other stand was closed when we got there(after trying to see if KRR was up and running on last time). NO KRR this trip We still had a fun day even though it was our last. Memories will always be there.
I realize this is back to back but I did want to finsh it before the holidays.
Summary
It is hard to believe but our trip is over as soon as we can get up and head out. We spent the night in Chattanooga, TN Friday and head the rest of the way home on Saturday. Our trip wasn’t magical all the time but memories were made for a lifetime, and good times had by all. We will make some changes(mostly to dining) if we have the chance to go again but not too many. The pace set for the trip is a keeper. We seem to rush at the beginning but I think we were excited to be at Disney. Our trip was not without some minor problems but all of us enjoyed it and really needed to get away for some out and out fun!!!! Goal accomplished ! I wish we didn’t have to wait so long before going back(if health permits it).
RESORT: Polynesian was wonderful and I would love to go back and stay but finances won’t allow some time. The landscaping is beautiful and is was peaceful, quiet and so relaxing. While
the weather allowed, the beach was enjoyable to sit and watch the ferry or launches go by.
RESTAURANTS: All were first time or not been there in a long time. There were some we loved like Liberty Tree Tavern, Planet Hollywood(that was a surprise to me) and Tusker House. Some we learned we didn’t care for and will not go back but I am glad to have tried them.
TRANSPORTATION: I have to give a big thumbs up!!!! I was a nervous wreak since I was doing a scooter for the first time but all of the drivers but one was very helpful and kind. We did have to wait once or twice for an empty bus but a cast member usually told us how long it would be(it was usually short wait). I do wish there were easier ways to the mini-golf places though. Monarail and ferry was an excellent way to travel.
PARKS: I thought I would have to cancel the trip when I was not getting better as quick or at best forgo some rides. I was able to go on all the rides I wanted to(have the ability to transfer) go on except one(my choice to no go on). The cast
members were all so helpful and willing to slow/stop walkways for me.
About This Page: 
Oh well, bus transportation sounded complicated and time consuming. Wayne didn’t want to drive(especially after Kissimmee drive a week ago). We decided to go back to DHS since we had missed some of the attractions.
). It was a 40 minute or longer wait at 9:30 and FP was not a good time either. Maybe our next visit, if it is still around. 
Anyone get the idea we loved the Star Tours II ride? How did you guess? 
and all the going was catching up (even with the breaks and slower pace) so we stopped to sit and people watch. It was a perfect place to sit and watch the Jedi Training Academy. Jeremy got several good closeup camera shoots of Darth Vader and the stormtroopers. 
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Thank
Pixie Dust
But sounds like you all had fun at DHS! 
surprised to learn the trains let scooters ride on them now. Jeremy 
the chance to try different food. A salad with apples, nuts and coucous was s-o-o-o-o good!!! 
Our picture was taken with Donald, quite the flirt, 
I loved being able to try some of the African foods. I have never been a fan of coucous but there were a couple of dishes with it that were good. 
to do this or those Sea Bands really do wonders!! We ride and then head back to pick up Wayne and see if KRR is back up. Not yet. 
Jeremy didn’t get his popcorn till we got back to the resort. The other stand was closed when we got there(after trying to see if KRR was up and running on last time). NO KRR this trip 
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