Food & Wine Festival/1st Anniversary and Mousetacular Holiday PTRs (UPDATED 6/13) - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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!
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Melissa Sue I just want to thank you for this entertaining and informative account of your plans and your wonderful marriage. i too am blessed with a wonderful husband as well as 2 wonderful kids and I think you will have those 50 happy years together. I am working on 40 this September and taking our trip in November to celebrate. keep up your wonderful blog and I and so many others will keep enjoying.
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le
My Whole Family Trip 2007
My Previous Trips1968,1971,1972, 2005 DisneyLand
WDW !977,79,82,84,88,90,94,96,98,99,2001,02,04,06,07
Love hearing about all your plans...love even more that you have three trips coming up . Sending pixies for the wait list the Boardwalk is one of our favorite but I did a short trip at the BC in February and I loved it as well...the area is just so perfect (I love early morning walks around the lake and being able to walk to Epcot can't be beat).
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It’s been really fun planning with Tracy. We ended up each making lists of things we want/need to do while we’re there. I, of course, am a lot more flexible than Tracy, since we’re working on her project while we’re down there. Then, Tracy let me make a first draft of the trip plan while she was on her August road trip. That draft is all done, and we’ve just got to refine it.
I really, really enjoyed making the plan! In the past, I’ve never worked on a plan that was so heavily influenced by someone who wasn’t me (or my husband, who by law is an extension of me … LOL). It was a lot of fun and more like a puzzle than I would have thought. It’s harder when you’re thinking of another person. But that also makes it more fun!
Anyway, I feel really excited about this one. We’re going to spend lots of time touring resorts, eating at counter service spots and exploring. I’ll let Tracy post more details if she wants to.
Isn’t it crazy how quickly you can grow attached to your Disney friends? I feel like Tracy and I have been friends forever, and I can’t wait to spend more time with her.
your plan for us is AMAZING! sorry i've not been communicating as much lately, i've been a bit overwhelmed since we returned--it's all photo uploading and unpacking and my bathroom is STILL under construction (there was a snafu with the shower curtain rod--seriously!) but i wanted to say in this very public forum that your plan rocks, and you rock for putting it together.
oh--and also--i can't wait to spend more time with you, too! it's coming up VERY VERY soon (i hope i get all of my laundry done from the last trip before i have to pack for this next one! )
Love hearing about all your plans...love even more that you have three trips coming up . Sending pixies for the wait list the Boardwalk is one of our favorite but I did a short trip at the BC in February and I loved it as well...the area is just so perfect (I love early morning walks around the lake and being able to walk to Epcot can't be beat).
Thanks, Meg!! I haven't added us to the waiting list yet. Rob keeps saying he's not sure. He's worried the theme-ing is too silly. I'm going to pull up some photos for him and he's going to make a decision, either way, tonight!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nanci
Melissa Sue I just want to thank you for this entertaining and informative account of your plans and your wonderful marriage. i too am blessed with a wonderful husband as well as 2 wonderful kids and I think you will have those 50 happy years together. I am working on 40 this September and taking our trip in November to celebrate. keep up your wonderful blog and I and so many others will keep enjoying.
Thanks, Nanci!! That's so sweet, and we are so lucky!
Quote:
Originally Posted by elbodans
your plan for us is AMAZING! sorry i've not been communicating as much lately, i've been a bit overwhelmed since we returned--it's all photo uploading and unpacking and my bathroom is STILL under construction (there was a snafu with the shower curtain rod--seriously!) but i wanted to say in this very public forum that your plan rocks, and you rock for putting it together.
oh--and also--i can't wait to spend more time with you, too! it's coming up VERY VERY soon (i hope i get all of my laundry done from the last trip before i have to pack for this next one! )
LOL you're awesome. And I'm sure you'll manage with the laundry ... if not, doesn't the condo have a washer/dryer?
At this time in 15 days, I’ll be up in the air, about to touch down in Georgia, before hopping on another plane bound for Orlando.
Because I’m going to Disney World with Tracy!!! We finalized our trip plan last night, and I’m looking forward to it, for sure.
At this point, there’s nothing standing between me and this trip except time! Just 15 more sleeps!
And, in just 45 more sleeps, Rob and I are off on our Food and Wine trip.
We’re very excited that they added Fantasmic to most nights in October! We were able to work it into our plans without changing much at all—we just cut one of our Epcot evenings short, but we’ll still have time to Eat Around the World.
And we’re finally in DOUBLE DIGITS for our December Mousetacular trip!! 99 days, as of this morning. How exciting is that!?!
DME is officially booked for all three trips, and all that’s left is the waiting. And waiting … and waiting …
Just 12 days until I take off for Florida!! Yee-ha!!
Had a GREAT interaction with Member Services yesterday. I called to segment my reservation so we could add the dining plan to the first day of our trip, and it was really great. I wrote a post about it on the DVC board: http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...servation.html.
Nothing else to report. Except my building excitement!!
I'm so glad you believe that planning is half the fun. The trip itself flies, so I love thinking about it for months beforehand! Good luck - it's just waiting now...
Oh hi … I just came over to do the single digit dance! I’m at just a little over eight days … about 202 hours … until I take off for my first of THREE Disney adventures this fall.
Let’s see … I have about 102 hours until I get on the plane for Disney World, where I’ll be joining Tracy on her trip already in progress. So exciting!
I’m almost done packing. Just need to finish the laundry, and I can throw the last couple of items in my duffle. My touring bag is all packed up (just need to add my phone). And the list of families I’m fairy godmailing for is ready!
And things are all squared away at home—bills paid, laundry almost done and dog sitter lined up. Luckily, my husband is completely self-sufficient. No need to pre-prepare meals or anything.
So all that’s left is the waiting … and waiting … If you happen to be in The World September 16, 17, 18 or 19, here’s where we’ll be:
Friday, Sept. 16: Magic Kingdom & Hollywood Studios
We’re doing morning in Magic Kingdom. I think we’re going to focus on Tomorrowland and Fantasyland. And lunch at The Plaza! Then we’re going to head over to Hollywood Studios in the evening, where we’re going to make Fantasmic our #1 priority! I’m so excited because I have actually never ever seen Fantasmic before!
Saturday, Sept. 17: Animal Kingdom, Pop and Boardwalk
We’re doing Animal Kingdom in the morning, where Tracy is going to introduce me to Jabali (who she met yesterday), and I’m going to introduce her to my gorillas. Yes, they’re mine. Then we’re going to head over to Pop Century and tour the resort before our dinner at Kouzzina. After which, we’re headed to Jellyrolls for a couple of drinks and some dueling piano fun!
Sunday, Sept. 18: Hollywood Studios and Hurricane Hanna’s
After several hours in Hollywood Studios (where we hope to ride EVERYTHING), we’re going to have lunch at Hurricane Hanna’s at the Yacht and Beach Club. After lunch, we’ll either head back to Epcot to explore Future World or head back to DHS to finish up EVERYTHING.
Monday, Sept. 19: Port Orleans and Downtown Disney
We’re going to tour Port Orleans, both Riverside and French Quarter. Then, we’ll take a Sassagoula River Cruise to Downtown Disney for shopping and Earl of Sandwich. Yum. Sadly, then I have to get on a plane and head back to New York.
If you’re planning to be where we’ll be, say hi if you see us! We’ll be the two totally insane blondes with notebooks and cameras. Probably laughing a lot.
Disney Mail for our October trip came today. You have no idea how excited I was to see “Boardwalk Villas” printed on our luggage tag. Delightful!
Otherwise, I’m moving full speed ahead with last minute plans for my trip with Tracy. If you’re not already following, you can follow along with her (our) adventures here: http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...ip-report.html.
We’re down to just a couple of weeks before I leave AGAIN for the most magical place on earth. We’re super psyched.
Right now, my big question is whether to purchase bagels and cream cheese and OJ at the Screen Door for in-room breakfasts or plan to eat at the Bell Vue Room. Seriously. This is my biggest problem. I’m also a little worried about making sure that we’re able to get to Fantasmic. I have it on our plan for the second-to-last night, so if we miss it, there isn’t much room for a re-do. Until December, I guess.
Speaking of December, the only change to either trip we’ve made is that, instead of lunch at Rose and Crown on our second-to-last day in December, we’ll be eating at San Angel Inn. I loved it so much with Tracy the other day, and I’ve read a couple of less-than-stellar reviews of R&C lately … so a change was in order!
When I went into WDW dining to update the reservation, there were a ton of ADRs available. I’d say 80% of the restaurants in World Showcase had availability. That makes me feel pretty good about overall crown levels!
Hi everyone. Long time no post. It's been a little insane in my world. I had a couple of weddings, and work has been very, very busy. So not much time to post. However, I did want to pop in to let you know that things are on track!
Online check-in is complete and we'll be in our laughing place in 3 days! Weee! I’m still not completely unpacked from last weekend’s wedding, but I plan to unpack and start repacking tonight. And then all that’s left is the waiting. (And the working … I have a truly busy three days ahead of me before we leave Saturday morning.)
We're looking forward to a great long weekend, and our plans are PACKED with fun stuff. We're really looking forward to our first Food and Wine Festival, but we also have plans to relax at the pool bar one afternoon and take things slow.
I was thinking about doing a live trip report, but I’m writing a couple of posts for Disney Food Blog while I'm down there, and I think one assignment is enough. However, if I change my mind, I'll post a link here by Friday!
Hi everyone. Long time no post. It's been a little insane in my world. I had a couple of weddings, and work has been very, very busy. So not much time to post. However, I did want to pop in to let you know that things are on track!
Online check-in is complete and we'll be in our laughing place in 3 days! Weee! I’m still not completely unpacked from last weekend’s wedding, but I plan to unpack and start repacking tonight. And then all that’s left is the waiting. (And the working … I have a truly busy three days ahead of me before we leave Saturday morning.)
We're looking forward to a great long weekend, and our plans are PACKED with fun stuff. We're really looking forward to our first Food and Wine Festival, but we also have plans to relax at the pool bar one afternoon and take things slow.
I was thinking about doing a live trip report, but I’m writing a couple of posts for Disney Food Blog while I'm down there, and I think one assignment is enough. However, if I change my mind, I'll post a link here by Friday!
Here’s to low crowds and lots of fun!
this is me wishing you a great trip in yet another venue! have a great trip!!! can't wait to hear all about it...well, no, that's not nice. i CAN wait to hear all about it (because 'can't wait' would imply that i'm hoping the trip goes by quickly. and i don't. i hope it is long, relaxing, and super-fun!!!)