Are we crazy? - A spur of the moment Disney getaway TR - Page 5 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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
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Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
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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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So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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Friday 4/26
We got up without an alarm at around 8:30. How come I can only do that when I'm at Disney?! We got showered and then decided to give Kouzzina another shot for breakfast. As many of you may recall - we had major issues last time due to a water main break and ended up having Ghirardelli's for breakfast! So we asked if they could take us as a walk in for breakfast and we got a table no prob. But figured out why - it was EMPTY! We knew what we wanted and ordered. But what Chuck got was NOT what he was expecting. It was the same thing he ordered last time (2 years ago) - the breakfast stack. On the menu - it sounded like the same thing - but what came was NOT the same. It was ok. He ate it. It filled the void - but meh. Mine was ok as well. We figured that things have gone downhill and we will NOT be going back.
Shots around the resort on the way to the boat
Breakfast stack
Waffle
After breakfast, we went over to the Boardwalk to catch a bus to MK. We were going to do the monorail resorts.
We waited forever for one! While we were waiting, we saw an abusive dad. He slapped the girl he was with then taught his kid to do it too. When the kid hit her in the eye, the dad said "Did you just hit her?" The kid said "Yeah" and the dad replied "Way to go" Ugh! Wonderful parenting. Chuck showed great restraint. Then when we got on a bus - finally - the bus driver was flipped off by a car who cut off the bus while trying to merge! I can't believe people! This is DISNEY!
Anyhow, we got to MK and went up to the monorail.
I had to record the "Por favor mantengense alejado de las puertas" on my phone! We rode the monorail and got off at the Poly because Chuck wanted to mail a coconut to his office. We checked out the gift shops and went into the art gallery shop (Wynard, I believe). I wasn't going to get anything but they showed me a ring that you can change the stone. It was very cool and quite affordable. Chuck told me to get it. I just wish I could have gotten what he wanted - however it was a watch that was $750!!!! Sorry, can't drop that kind of scratch without saving up first. After I got my ring, we went in search of the coconut. We got that and a t-shirt for a theater friend as well. We then went to Captain Jacks for a Dole Whip and sat outside while we shared our treat.
Then we were done playing at the Poly, so we hopped back on the monorail to finish the loop. We caught a bus and headed back to the Swalphin to swim.
View from our room
Had to see Stacey!
The Grotto waterfall was working and the hot tub had minimal jets but it was still all very relaxing. After a longish dip in the pool, our fingers were getting wrinkly and it was time to get out and get ready for dinner. At that time, I was trying to get in touch with Spirit airlines to pre-pay for our bag and after 15 mins on hold -I hung up. Grrrr. We would just have to pay for it at the airport. We had decided to check through our (overhead) carry on and just get a backpack type (under the seat) carryon for Chuck because I wasn't sure everything plus our souvenirs would fit in our carry on's. So on to DtD we were and in search of said pack. We finally found a fleece type material backpack at Splitsville and got that. We then had some extra time to people watch before our reservation at HOB.
We did check in about 10 mins early and were seated almost immediately. We knew what we wanted to eat. We shared a pesto, tomato flatbread app.
Chuck got shrimp and grits
I got a french dip. (wanted the Juicy Lucy but the jalapeños are IN the burger - not on the side. Too spicy for me)
It was all very good! Then after dinner, Chuck said "So what do you want to do? Do you want to go see a movie or something?" I thought about it. We can see a movie anytime at home. So I asked him what time it was. It was just after 8 pm. I said "Well, this may be crazy. But we have been doing everything crazy so .. . what would you think about going to see if we can get seats at LaNouba?" His eyes lit up and he got so excited! It was on! We paid our bill and were outta there. We got to the box office and there were Cat 2 seats with a DVC discount that had our names on them! We just had to hang out for a half an hour before seating began. So I got a little artsy with photos.
We had a great evening! After the show, we walked back up to Pleasure Island- we were thinking about taking the Characters in Flight - but it was soooo windy! Instead we grabbed a Mickey Bar!
After we finished our ice cream, we took a bus back to the Dolphin and called it a night.
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Thank you to everyone for your support over the loss of Meg. This trip was yes, a spur of the moment get away however, it was more like us running away from the sorrow. Nothing will every be able to replace Meg, but we have been given another soul to care for. This was really a quite complex turn of events. Long story short - my step mother had a pure bred golden that she was training as a mobility dog and it just wasn't working out. The dog was too skittish and really just needed to be a family member. Well, she had decided to re-home this dog on the same day that our Meg died! She didn't want to push anything but signs just kept showing up. She needed us. And I think we needed her too. I still mourn my beloved Meg but now we have a dear sweet Abby. I'd like you all to meet Abby - our newest family member.
She's still a bit nervous and the cats don't know what to make of her. But she is a gentle soul and a real love. I still miss Meg. But I believe that Abby was sent to us to help us with the loss of Meg.
I'm sorry that breakfast at Kouzzina wasn't the same as you remembered. I remember from your last TR the ordeal you went through trying to eat there, such a shame that it ended with a dissappointing meal this time. I don't blame you for not wanting to go back. The rest of your day sounded great, what a great thing that you were able to get last minute tickets to La Nouba!
Abby is beautiful, and it sounds like she was meant to be with you
Sorry Kouzzina didn't work out but now you know you at least gave it one last shot. How did you two like La Nouba? I loved it when Mike took me years ago!
And, most importantly.... to Abby! She is beautiful and it looks like Meg was looking out for you and Chuck again. I believe Meg sent her to you so you wouldn't feel so incomplete.
I am so sorry to hear your report of Kouzzina! I loved breakfast there and it's terrible that they've let it go downhill so soon. If things continue, it'll soon be closed and on its way to yet another incarnation. The rest of your day was great, though. Dole Whip, an impromptu La Nouba viewing, good dinner, topped off with a Mickey Bar!
Abby is a beautiful dog and it really does sound like she's meant to be yours. Love is infinite and you can love Meg and Abby, too.
Kouzzina is just not up to what a Ironchef restaurant should be. The place was so empty,it was evident that people have not been trampling to get in there. The first time we ate there a few years ago they were turning people away every few minutes while we were waiting for our ADR.
LaNouba was so good. It was different than when we saw it before. One of the acts I was so looking forward to was scratched. It did seem a little short,but Coop said it was the normal time.
Abby is a wonderful girl. Now if I can get some sleep...
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Welcome Abby! Sounds like just what you needed. When our dog died I said that was it, no more dogs ever - too painful to say goodbye. 6 weeks later my big love, Rory, arrived in our lives. Now, I can't imagine life without him!
Bummer that Kouzzina's failed twice. I love the flatbreads at HoB. I'm loving all the spontaneity on this trip. We've still not seen LaNouba, but we will!
Abby is a beautiful dog! Glad she has found home with you two.
Welcome Abby. The food pics look good. my fav. is the Dole whip. Just 1 more day till I can have one. One of these trips we want to make Cirque but we always run out of time. Sometimes I wish we could go for 2 weeks so we could do everything we wanted,but that will never happen. Would like to do a quick trip like you did though
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"Raindrops taste like tears without the pain"
1186 miles from Home
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Abby is a beautiful girl, and will so enjoy being loved with no pressure. Not all dogs are cut out to be "helpers," doesn't mean they aren't perfect for the perfect home!
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