Canals, diamonds and red lights – an Amsterdam getaway COMPLETED - Page 5 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
PassPorter.com
Award-winning travel guidebooks

   guidebooks   |   news   |   podcasts   |   boards   |   blog   |   worksheets   |   photos   |   articles   |   updates   |   register   |   follow us on


Forums Closed
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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!

Go Back   PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums > PassPorter Universe: General Trip Planning and Discussion > Globetrotting: General Trip Reports
Register


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.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-13-2012, 09:55 AM   #61
scrappyjae
Community Rank: Trekker
 
scrappyjae's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Maryland
Concierge Level: 4
Posts: 1,943

Post Thanks / Like
I agree, if I don't organize prior to going somewhere I spend so much time searching and losing my mind. I am so bad that I have to make a list of what items need to be packed and cross of on the list as I go, otherwise I would be missing simple items like toothbrush, etc.

Sorry dinner wasn't that great. I hate spending that much money on food and feeling like I didn't get very much good food. Hopefully the meals on the rest of your trip improve.
__________________

OMG!



My normal everyday computer routine!
My Previous TripsWDW May 1980, April 1988, June 2003, Nov 2005, Nov/Dec 2007, Disney Cruise Oct 2009
scrappyjae is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 10:01 AM   #62
ilovedisney247
 
ilovedisney247's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 15 Minutes from the House of Mouse!
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 13,838

Post Thanks / Like
I'm glad you had a better experience with the buffet at the Hilton! Is that the only option in the hotel?
__________________
My Previous TripsWDW 1985 off property, WDW 1987 Contemporary, WDW 1989 Poly, WDW Sept. 2006 Pop, WDW Sept. 2007 CBR WDW Aug 2008 ASMu Dec 2008 SSR, May 2009 SSR, June 2009 SSR/VWL, Oct 2009 AKVC, Dec 2009 AKV, June 2010 SSR, Oct 2010 BWV, Nov 2010 CR, Dec 2010 ASp, April 2011 AKVC, June 2011 SSR/ASM, July 2011, ASp, Oct 2011 AKVC, Dec 2011 VGC
ilovedisney247 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 10:20 AM   #63
honeybee723
Community Rank: Trailblazer
 
honeybee723's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Maryland
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 5,081

Post Thanks / Like
Sounds like you didn't have the best day possible, and dinner didn't really help. That picture of the prawns made me realize I don't think I could eat them with their beedy little eyes still looking at me.
__________________
Melissa
My Previous Trips1981 to 1992-Various times and hotels, especially DTD Royal Plaza, 1993-Swan, 1994-CB, 1995- DTD Double Tree, 1996-AS Music, 1997-POR, 1998-GF, 1999-AS Music, 2001-YC, 2001-Off Site, 2002-AS Movie, 2003-AKL, 2003-AS Music, 2004-AKL, 2005-CB, 2006-POR, 2007-SSR, 2008-DCL Wonder/Pop, 2008-SSR, 2009-DCL Magic, 2010-DCL Wonder/BWV, 2010-BCV, 2011-AKLV CL, 2012-BCV, 2012-AKLV, 2013-DCL Dream/AKLV, 2014-BCV, 2015-AKLV/AKLV CL, 2016 BWV, 2016 AKLV CL, 2017 POLY
honeybee723 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 10:39 AM   #64
Colexis Mom
RED SOX NATION!!
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
Colexis Mom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854

Post Thanks / Like
Sorry for the rough start! At least you've made it to the airport and had a great dinner!
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsAUG '16 - POFQ, APR '12 - POFQ, JUL '10 - DL, AUG '09 - DCL Western, AUG '08 - POFQ/BC, AUG '06 - AKL/BC/DisneyWonder/Poly, DEC '05 - AKL, APR '05 - AKL/BC, DEC '04 - AKL, MAY '04 - AKL/BC, MAY '03 - WL/BC, MAY '98 -offsite, MAY '94 - BC, AUG '85 - Poly, AUG '83 - Poly, AUG '81 - Poly, JUL '79 - World Inn, JUL '76 - World Inn
Colexis Mom is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 11:21 AM   #65
KMB733
PassPorter Guide

Community Rank:
Legend Extraordinaire
 
KMB733's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ballston Lake, NY
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 46,162

Post Thanks / Like
What a rough start to your trip!!!
__________________
Kathy
PassPorter Co-Guide for: Making More Magic
My Countdown Counting down to: Christmas
Merry Christmas
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsWDW June 1979, WDW 1985, WDW 1987, WDW Oct 2003, WDW March 2004, WDW Oct 2004, WDW Sept 2005--Pop Century , WDW Nov 2006--Pop Century, WDW Jan 2007--Pop Century, WDW Nov/Dec 2009--Pop Century, DLR Oct 2011, WDW Dec 2014
KMB733 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 01:30 PM   #66
chezp
PassPorter Message Board Manager
PassPorter Guide Author

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
chezp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by scrappyjae View Post
I agree, if I don't organize prior to going somewhere I spend so much time searching and losing my mind. I am so bad that I have to make a list of what items need to be packed and cross of on the list as I go, otherwise I would be missing simple items like toothbrush, etc.
That is exactly how I usually am and I think that's what I missed this time.
__________________

Relaxing on board the Magic. The trip report for our back-to-back cruises on the Disney Magic has started!
My Countdown Counting down to: 2019
Happy New Year!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips21 trips to WDW, 6 to Disneyland in California, 9 to Disneyland Paris, 1 to Hong Kong Disneyland, 1 to Tokyo Disney, 1 to Aulani, 1 to Hilton Head, 2 to Vero Beach and 13 Disney cruises on the Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy
chezp is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 01:33 PM   #67
chezp
PassPorter Message Board Manager
PassPorter Guide Author

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
chezp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilovedisney247 View Post
I'm glad you had a better experience with the buffet at the Hilton! Is that the only option in the hotel?
There is a restaurant upstairs in the lobby, but that's a la carte and I think even more pricey....
__________________

Relaxing on board the Magic. The trip report for our back-to-back cruises on the Disney Magic has started!
My Countdown Counting down to: 2019
Happy New Year!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips21 trips to WDW, 6 to Disneyland in California, 9 to Disneyland Paris, 1 to Hong Kong Disneyland, 1 to Tokyo Disney, 1 to Aulani, 1 to Hilton Head, 2 to Vero Beach and 13 Disney cruises on the Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy
chezp is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 01:34 PM   #68
chezp
PassPorter Message Board Manager
PassPorter Guide Author

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
chezp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by honeybee723 View Post
Sounds like you didn't have the best day possible, and dinner didn't really help. That picture of the prawns made me realize I don't think I could eat them with their beedy little eyes still looking at me.
Amazingly for a non-meat eater, that's never bothered me!
__________________

Relaxing on board the Magic. The trip report for our back-to-back cruises on the Disney Magic has started!
My Countdown Counting down to: 2019
Happy New Year!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips21 trips to WDW, 6 to Disneyland in California, 9 to Disneyland Paris, 1 to Hong Kong Disneyland, 1 to Tokyo Disney, 1 to Aulani, 1 to Hilton Head, 2 to Vero Beach and 13 Disney cruises on the Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy
chezp is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 02:29 PM   #69
lsugirlinutah
Community Rank: Adventurer
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Utah
Posts: 671

Post Thanks / Like
I agree with you about the craziness--some days are like that and usually they are on days when you need to be organized! I also hear you with the dentist--I have terrible teeth and always seem to have a cavity or a tooth that needs to be watched. My problems are genetic; my dentist told me once that with my bad teeth I probably need to come in every three months. I HATE going to the dentist, so well done with your good checkup!

Sorry about the not so great but expensive dinner, but at least you are very close to where you need to be tomorrow!
__________________
Tricia
My Countdown Counting down to: Avengers Half
Running in Disneyland!
My Previous TripsOffsite DL Aug 2013 (Dumbo Double Dare Race),CBR Jan 2013 (Disney Half Marathon), Beach Club/Disney Dream April 2012, WL Oct. 2011, WL Oct. 2009, WL Oct. 2007, Off-site Aug. 1995, numerous childhood visits
lsugirlinutah is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 04:42 PM   #70
bonphil
Community Rank: Jetsetter
 
bonphil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Indiana
Posts: 2,487

Post Thanks / Like
Looking forward to more.
__________________
My Previous TripsWDW June 2002,June 2005, June 2011, June 2014
bonphil is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 05:41 PM   #71
disney_duke
Community Rank: Explorer
 
disney_duke's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Wisconsin
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 11,022

Post Thanks / Like
The start of your trip sounded like the whole of last week for our family! Things are settling down now... thank goodness! I remember your sad dinner at the Hilton last time. Well, at least it hasn't gotten worse.
__________________
Tanya
Every click helps feed .6 bowls of food to rescued animals. Give a quick click every day and help animals in shelters! www.theanimalrescuesite.com
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsVisited WDW 4 times while little from 1979 to 1990 ~ Jan. 1998, Doubletree ~ Nov. 1998, Disney Institute ~ Sept. 2000, E. Caribbean Disney Magic ~ July 2001, Courtyard Downtown Disney ~ March 2003, Comfort Inn ~ June 2004, POR ~ Jan. 2006, POFQ ~ May 2007, All Star Vacation home ~ Jan. 2008, POFQ Half Marathon ~ Sept. 2008, SSR ~ Nov. 2009, CBR ~ March 2010, AsMu Princess Half Marathon ~ Sept. 2010, Disneyland Half Marathon ~ Nov. 2010, CSR ~ Jan. 2011 WDW Marathon ~ Oct. 2011 Wine&Dine Half Marathon, POR ~ Jan. 2012 Relay Marathon, POP ~ May 2012 Expedition Everest Challenge, CBR Pirate room ~ Sept. 2012 Sheraton LBV ~ Nov. 2012 Wyndham Bonnet Creek ~ Jan. 2013 Goofy Challenge, POR Royal Room ~ Apr. 2013 POP ~ Sep 2013 DL DDD ~ Jan 2014, marathon volunteer ~ Oct. 2014, ToT 10 miler, ASSports ~ Jan. 2015 Dopey Challenge, Bonnet Creek ~ July 2015, CSR/Marriott ~ November 2015 DL Avengers ~ January 2017 Bonnet Creek ~
disney_duke is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 06:04 PM   #72
jenseib
Community Rank: Scout
 
jenseib's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Swanton, OH
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 4,374

Post Thanks / Like
I've had days like that too. It's like you need to go back to bed and start all over
__________________

All Work and a Little Play Makes Jen a Happy Girl!
vpsjen@gmail.com Vacation Specialist
My Countdown Counting down to: Cruise World In Ft Lauderdale
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips1974 off sight; 1995 off sight; 1997 off sight; 1999 off sight; 2007 Pop Century; 2008 Pop Century; 2009 Pop Century; 2011 DCL Dream, Pop Century, AS Movies, Yacht Club; 2012 DCL Magic, DCL Dream, Beach Club Villas,Animal Kingdom Lodge, Art of Animation; 2014, Disneyland Hotel, Grand Californian, POFQ, Marriott Grand Vista, Disney Magic, OKW, CBR, Royal Pacific; 2016, Cabana Bay, Hard Rock Hotel, Poly, AS Sports. Coronado Springs; 2017, SpringHill Suites at Flamingo Crossing, Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Sapphire Falls, Port Orleans Riverside, All Star Music;
jenseib is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 10:32 PM   #73
DrDolphin
Living Seas wannabe
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank:
Legend Extraordinaire
 
DrDolphin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 31,940

Post Thanks / Like
Yeah Hilton Hhonors!! Love those benefits. Dinner seemed PRICEY for what you got - but if it was the only option, sometimes you just have to bite the bullet.
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips60+ WDW trips - most recent January 2014 - SSR; 2 DL/DCA - most recent Feb 2007 - DLH; 9 DCL - most recent July 2014 - Disney Fantasy
DrDolphin is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 10:35 PM   #74
Wendyismyname
Community Rank: Legend
 
Wendyismyname's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Edmonton, KY
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 17,823

Post Thanks / Like
I've been looking forward to this trip for a long time! Glad it finally got here!
__________________
Wendy




Looking at Arthur's Seat from Edinburgh Castle



My PassPorter Bookshelf <table width=100% height=75 border=0><tr><td style='background-image: url(http://www.passporter.com/forums/club/images/bookshelf/shelf4234.png); background-repeat: no-repeat;'><a href='http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/club/bookshelf.php?member=4234&name=Wendyismyname' border=0><img src='http://www.passporter.com/forums/club/images/bookshelf/transparent.png' height=75 width=100% border=0></a></td></tr></table>
My Previous Trips'80 &'86 day trip; 11/99 ASMo; 6/02 FTW; 9/02 ASMu; 4/03 FTW; 6/03 BCV; 11/03 Poly; 6/04 POR; 2/05 BCV/VWL; 6/05 VWL/BCV; 9/05 AKL; 12/05 BCV; 4/06 FTW; 8/06 CR; 11/06 BCV; 12/07 Poly; 6/08 VWL/OKW; 4/09 BWI; 5/09 CR; 6/09 GF/Kidani/OKW; 7/09 Music/POFQ;11/09 Pop; 12/09 AKL; 3/10 BWV/GF;6/10 Music; 7/10 WL(25th trip!!);10/10 Pop Century; 3/31 DREAM & 4/11 CBR&BCV; 06/11 CR and OKW; 10/11BCV and DREAM; 12/11 Pop
Wendyismyname is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2012, 02:02 AM   #75
chezp
PassPorter Message Board Manager
PassPorter Guide Author

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
chezp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by disney_duke View Post
The start of your trip sounded like the whole of last week for our family! Things are settling down now... thank goodness! I remember your sad dinner at the Hilton last time. Well, at least it hasn't gotten worse.
There is that...
__________________

Relaxing on board the Magic. The trip report for our back-to-back cruises on the Disney Magic has started!
My Countdown Counting down to: 2019
Happy New Year!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips21 trips to WDW, 6 to Disneyland in California, 9 to Disneyland Paris, 1 to Hong Kong Disneyland, 1 to Tokyo Disney, 1 to Aulani, 1 to Hilton Head, 2 to Vero Beach and 13 Disney cruises on the Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy
chezp is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Reply




Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump














Please login or register to hide these ads -- it's free and easy!

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:44 PM.

-->

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like v3.4.0 Patch Level 1 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
(c) 1998-2017 PassPorter Travel Press/MediaMarx, Inc.
Celebrating 19 Years of Making Dreams Come True
Ad Management plugin by RedTyger