Forums Closed
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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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!
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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.
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09-03-2006, 04:03 AM
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#61
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PassPorter Message Board Manager
 PassPorter Guide Author
Community Rank: Legend VIP 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - Travel Day Updated 8/31
What a disappointing breakfast, but it sounds like your day just got better from then on - and I hope it continues with the room. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]
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Sponsored links
Check out the many e-books by PassPorter. The e-books are free to download if you have a PassPorter's Club pass.
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09-03-2006, 07:52 AM
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#62
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Community Rank: Navigator 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Guilford, CT
Concierge Level: 2
Posts: 6,938
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - Travel Day Updated 8/31
Great trip report so far. Can't wait to hear about your room.
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09-03-2006, 08:07 AM
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#63
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Maryland
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 14,723
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - Travel Day Updated 8/31
[ QUOTE ]
Great trip report so far. Can't wait to hear about your room.
[/ QUOTE ]
[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/yeahthat.gif[/img] As someone who is seriously considering the AKL for an upcoming trip!
Ready for more, please!
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09-03-2006, 08:28 AM
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#64
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Community Rank: Globetrotter 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 3,536
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - Travel Day Updated 8/31
Great start, but uh oh what happened with the fax!!
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09-03-2006, 08:46 AM
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#65
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Community Rank: Globetrotter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Manchester, England
Posts: 3,595
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - Travel Day Updated 8/31
Just catching up. Wonderful start. Can't wait to hear all about the room. And [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] just thinking about the heat at AK brings me out in a sweat.
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09-03-2006, 09:58 AM
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#66
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Community Rank: Legend Extraordinaire 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Ohio Football Hall Of Fame
Posts: 42,304
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - Travel Day Updated 8/31
Great update Marnie!! Love the pictures!! Sounds like you are really having a wonderful day. Sorry breakfast wasn't so good. Can't wait for more!!!
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09-03-2006, 10:06 AM
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#67
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Community Rank: Adventurer 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: loveland, colorado =)
Posts: 689
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - Travel Day Updated 8/31
Great update Marnie [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Great pictures!! I love Alexa's hair...it looks great!!
I love the picture of Colin coming off the slide in the Boneyard (is it a tradition)...I remember seeing them in your other trip reports too, you can see how much he has grown [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Looking forward to more!!
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09-03-2006, 10:22 AM
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#68
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Community Rank: Explorer 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Columbia, SC
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 7,014
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - Travel Day Updated 8/31
And they're off! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Sorry that your breakfast spot was disappointing - - I guess all good things must come to an end, huh? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]
You guys are definitely making the most of your morning! I am still looking forward to riding EE one day!
Jill
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09-03-2006, 12:08 PM
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#69
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Community Rank: Scout 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Lafayette, LA & BCV
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 4,751
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - Travel Day Updated 8/31
Great update Marnie!
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09-03-2006, 12:24 PM
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#70
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Wishing I was at WDW!
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Southwestern Florida, USA
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 39,153
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - Travel Day Updated 8/31
You have me thinking that the room isn't exactly what you thought it would be! Maybe I am just reading way to much into the suspenseful way you are leading us into your next installment - which will be very soon......right? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]
Great update Marnie!!!!!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
I love all of the pictures - and I think I could enjoy traveling with you - I like all of the snack breaks! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]
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09-03-2006, 12:45 PM
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#71
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Posts: 13,817
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - Travel Day Updated 8/31
Sorry about the disappointing breakfast.
Sounds like a great day at AK - loved the picture of Alexa with her giant Toll House Cookie ice cream sandwich. I've got to try one of those this trip! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]
Hurry back soon!
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09-03-2006, 02:37 PM
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#72
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Community Rank: Globetrotter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Mahopac, NY
Posts: 3,460
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - Travel Day Updated 8/31
Keep it coming Marnie!!!! This is enjoyable to read!
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09-03-2006, 03:27 PM
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#73
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RED SOX NATION!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - Travel Day Updated 8/31
<font color="blue"> Day 1 Part 2......Did the Fax work?
Once everyone had eaten, it was time to go back to the hotel. It was just too hot, and we could swim if the room wasn’t ready. By the time we made it back to the Lobby, it was 12:30. I called the number again, and BINGO, the room is ready [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] We were in room 2515, and it was a perfect location for us (and everything that I had asked for) [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] A quick call to Bell Services to retrieve the luggage, and I was soon unpacking everything.
  
We changed into swimsuits, lathered up with more lotion and headed for the pool! It wasn’t that crowded at all, and we quickly found a chair, found a life jacket for Colin, and were quickly in the pool. Now those of you who have read my trip reports before know that it takes a warm day to get me into the pool. It’s got to be at least 85 and sunny, if not warmer. Well, today’s 95 certainly met the requirements, and I was soon submerged in the pool [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] Frankly it felt like a spa it was so warm [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] But still refreshing enough! Matt took some pictures from the sidelines, and then he joined us as well.
 
The kids had a blast going down the slide, and swimming back and forth in the water. After at least an hour, if not more, it was time to get out and head upstairs. Everyone took showers/tubs, and then it was time for Matt’s nap [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] Colin, for some reason wouldn’t sleep [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img] Oh well. The kids watched the cartoons (Lambert [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] ), and I typed away on the computer. After I had enough of that, we took a walk down the hall to see if we could find the baby giraffe that we had seen in December. Sure enough, we found him (is it a him?) in the same location. My, how he’s grown!
 
After spotting the baby, we headed to the Zawadi Marketplace. I don’t recall purchasing anything, other than an autograph book and a new pen. It was time to head upstairs, wake up Matt, and get dressed for our dinner at Jiko!
Everyone was so thrilled when I made them get dressed up for dinner. And it wasn’t even really dressed up. Alexa refused to wear a dress (another theme for the trip), and Matt hemmed and hawed about having to wear pants and a nice shirt [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] Colin thankfully just put on whatever I asked him to. Of course, we had to take pictures.
 
We headed downstairs about 25 minutes early. I figured they probably wouldn’t be busy, and it would be better to get the kids in and out of the restaurant earlier [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] We checked in, received a pager which went off within a minute or two, and we were on our way to our table. The CM who sat us was great in telling us about the restaurant. How the walls change color like the sunset on the savanna, about the wines, and some other stuff which now escapes me 3 weeks later as I try to write this [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/foreheadslap.gif[/img] Oh, I remember. The appetizers are made right in front of us in the Cooking Place.
 
Matt was already complaining, because there were people who were seated and coming in wearing shorts and park clothes. I told him I didn’t care about them, I cared about us (do you see why I call him my third child [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] )! After washing off our hands with the wet and warm washcloths, we were presented our menus. I opted to try the Duck and Pork Firecracker for an appetizer. It was quite tasty, albeit a little greasy. Matt skipped his appetizer. I ordered Colin a mixed fruit salad (which was quite big and yummy) and Alexa had carrot and celery sticks with peanut butter. For the main course, he ordered the Wood Grilled Filet Mignon on a bed of macaroni and cheese. I had the Seared Jumbo Scallops with golden brown mealie pap (whatever that was) and spicy tomato onion Chaka-Laka (which was quite good). Alexa opted for grilled cheese, and I ordered macaroni and cheese for Colin (although the server brought out steak and mashed potatoes [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] )! And they both had Shirley Temples. I remembered to take pictures after the appetizers, so no pictures of the spring rolls.
   
The food was delicious. At the end of the meal, we were presented with a complimentary pistachio crème brulee for our Anniversary [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] How nice was that. And we were presented a card signed by some of the CMs at Jiko.
  
It was quite good, although there was chocolate sauce or pudding on the bottom [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] Matt didn’t like that part, but heck, chocolate, YUM-O! The kids wanted their own dessert, so we ordered them the Smores. Another YUM-O! We had a great time putting them all together.
  
After leaving the restaurant about $100 lighter (thank you DDE, we saved over $20), it was time for more pictures [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]
  
Back to the room to change, and we decided to drive over to the Beach Club to go in and see IllumiNations. By this time, it was approaching 8, we were tired, and just didn’t want to take the bus. Much to the dismay of Colin.
However, on the drive over, my stomach started getting upset and I started having severe cramps. Not really what I was looking forward to [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] And I’m not sure which of the items I had at dinner could have done the trick [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img] Once it was out of my system, I was fine. Tired but fine. Another good reason to have driven over and not taken the bus.
We made our way thru the IG by 8:30, and staked out a spot for IllumiNations. We parked ourselves between Morocco and Japan. Again, we noticed the crowds were light, and we didn’t have too much of a problem finding a spot to watch the show from. It was a fantastic show as usual [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img]
We made our way back thru the IG, and back to the car. I was exhausted (remember I was the first one up today) and I just wanted to go to bed. Matt on the other hand (due to his nap) was raring to go. He dropped us off at the AKL, and proceeded on to Target. I proceeded to navigate the lobby and halls trying to push two strollers. Unable to do that once I got to the carpeted halls, I made Alexa get out and walk, and folded up her stroller and dragged it behind me. We got back to the room, changed into PJs, and hit the sack [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/snore.gif[/img]
I’m not sure what time Matt came in, but he ended up having to go to Walmart, as Target was closed. But he did have the spray/mister fans for the kids, so all was accomplished. He also bought some cheap snorkel equipment for Castaway Cay (since we had mistakenly left ours at home), and some shovels and pails for when we got to the Beach Club.
Memories of our First Day
The weather today was………hot and sunny, 95, and no rain.
The best thing today was …..riding EE, getting our room requests, anniversary present at Jiko.
The worst thing today was…..something from dinner not agreeing with my tummy.
The funniest thing today was ……the kids playing in the pool.
Today we tried…….EE and Jiko
And the result was……..EE was good (more intense than expected), Jiko was a great meal.
The most magical moment today was ……..all our room requests were met, and the anniversary dessert at Jiko.
Coming Up Next…….Day 2 – Where are the clouds? And some new characters!
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09-03-2006, 03:33 PM
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#74
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Cypress....Deep in Southern Illinois, close enough to see the Kentucky blue grass
Posts: 9,546
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - Travel Day Updated 8/31
I almost feel like I am there.
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09-03-2006, 03:48 PM
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#75
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PassPorter Message Board Manager
PassPorter Guide Author
Community Rank: Legend VIP
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - Travel Day Updated 8/31
What a wonderful first day and your dinner at Jiko sounds absolutely divine. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] I love all the photos of the family - the ones on the stairs especially. What a lovely idea. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]
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