What We Do in the Lou - updated 7/31/15 with Superhero Sunday @ the Melting Pot - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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 04-06-2015, 07:19 AM   #61
lauriep
Community Rank: Legend
 
lauriep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 15,377

Post Thanks / Like
How great to have a weekend away for just the two of you. So many great places to explore in your area. I saw in your response in Cam's PTR thread that you just went to the zoo, so I hope a report is coming up on that day?
__________________
lauriep is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2015, 07:53 AM   #62
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
What a great weekend!
__________________
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 04-06-2015, 08:05 AM   #63
rphstearns
Community Rank: Trekker
 
rphstearns's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: illinois
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 1,234

Post Thanks / Like
I love Hermann. And stone hill is my favorite.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
[url=http://distickers.com/ticker/][/url
My Countdown Counting down to: Band Trip
And we're off
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsWDW '86 with Parents Stayed at Fort Wilderness, Honeymoon WDW 1998 Contemporary, WDW August 2009 All Star Movies, WDW Spring Break 2012 Wilderness Lodge, WDW Thanksgiving 2015 PORR, Disney Dream January 2017, Disney Dream double dip 2017, PORR 2018, Disney Wonder 2018, Disney Dream 2019
rphstearns is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2015, 12:51 PM   #64
OhToodles!
PassPorter Guide

Community Rank: Explorer
 
OhToodles!'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: St. Peters, MO
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 12,274

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp View Post
Oh what a beautiful place and what a lovely break for you guys!
It really is pretty and it was a nice little getaway.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep View Post
How great to have a weekend away for just the two of you. So many great places to explore in your area. I saw in your response in Cam's PTR thread that you just went to the zoo, so I hope a report is coming up on that day?
Of course Lauire! Have I shared much about our zoo yet? I can't recall.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom View Post
What a great weekend!
It was!
Quote:
Originally Posted by rphstearns View Post
I love Hermann. And stone hill is my favorite.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Ditto!! We found Stone Hill relaxing and not pompus like Hermanoff seems to be; it was good for people watching during Oktoberfest though - woah!
__________________
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
Kelly Co-Guide to Owning the Magic: Disney Vacation Club & Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
My Countdown Counting down to: Spring Break @ the Poly!
no parks, but still Disney!!
OhToodles! is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2015, 12:55 PM   #65
OhToodles!
PassPorter Guide

Community Rank: Explorer
 
OhToodles!'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: St. Peters, MO
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 12,274

Post Thanks / Like
So I did see that I posted on here about the zoo 2 years ago and this latest trip we saw so many different things so I'll be sure to share. Also, some of the exhibits that were under construction then, are now open.
__________________
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
Kelly Co-Guide to Owning the Magic: Disney Vacation Club & Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
My Countdown Counting down to: Spring Break @ the Poly!
no parks, but still Disney!!
OhToodles! is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2015, 01:17 PM   #66
jackid2
Community Rank: Trekker
 
jackid2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Volo, IL
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 1,295

Post Thanks / Like
Hermann sounds like a such a cool place. I'll have to keep that in mind for little getaways
__________________
My Previous TripsDL Jan '05 (first Disney visit) WDW '06, WDW POFQ Dec '07 (Honeymoon) WDW AS Music Dec. 09, WDW 1st DVC Vacation 9/2011, WDW Old Key West 10/2012; Wilderness Lodge 1/2015; AS Music Nov. 2015; Old Key West Nov/Dec 2015; POR May/June 2017
jackid2 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2015, 01:39 PM   #67
lauriep
Community Rank: Legend
 
lauriep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 15,377

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles! View Post
So I did see that I posted on here about the zoo 2 years ago and this latest trip we saw so many different things so I'll be sure to share. Also, some of the exhibits that were under construction then, are now open.
I remember that report very well.... you almost had me checking fares to St Louis! Never too many zoo photos!
__________________
lauriep is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2015, 04:01 PM   #68
mommapants
Community Rank: Scout
 
mommapants's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Marlton, NJ
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 4,276

Post Thanks / Like
what a cute little town and such a nice get away. Just you and Mike - how nice. I have been dying for a few days off. I just need a day or two with nothing to do and no one to do it with. Ahhh!
__________________
Holly: Dark Cloud Silver Lining DL PTR
My Countdown Counting down to: Back to The Bubble
mommapants is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2015, 07:08 PM   #69
Cam22
Batman's Gal/Mickey's Pal
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
Cam22's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Owensboro, KY USA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 95,254

Post Thanks / Like
Hermann looks like such a quaint and genteel place. What a great couples weekend with the wineries and even whiskey!
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsAKL Jambo April/May 2017--SSR/OKW Sept/Oct 2016 --AKL Kidani May 2016 -- Polynesian Village Resort May 2015 -- OKW/Magic December 2014 -- AKL Jambo House October 2014 -- VWL May 2014--SSR October 2013--AKL/Kidani June 2013--CBR October 2012--BWI June 2012--AKV Jambo House/Kidani Village June 2011 -- November 2010 Beach Club -- June 2010 Beach Club -- October 2009 CBR and Gaylord Palms -- June 2009 AKV/Kidani Village -- June 2008 VWL --June 2007 OKW--June 2006 Disney Wonder/SSR -- June 2005 SSR -- June 2004 VWL -- June 2003 AKL -- August 1997 Off Property -- March 1980 Cocoa Beach
Cam22 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2015, 09:55 PM   #70
OhToodles!
PassPorter Guide

Community Rank: Explorer
 
OhToodles!'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: St. Peters, MO
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 12,274

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by jackid2 View Post
Hermann sounds like a such a cool place. I'll have to keep that in mind for little getaways
They have lots, or little, to do depending on what you want. I'd like to go for Maifest with the kids some time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep View Post
I remember that report very well.... you almost had me checking fares to St Louis! Never too many zoo photos!
Then you'll love the next update when I get to it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mommapants View Post
what a cute little town and such a nice get away. Just you and Mike - how nice. I have been dying for a few days off. I just need a day or two with nothing to do and no one to do it with. Ahhh!
I feel that way too, so this was nice. I feel I need time off to clean but that's not fun.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22 View Post
Hermann looks like such a quaint and genteel place. What a great couples weekend with the wineries and even whiskey!
It really is. There's lots of antiquity and even a museum there.
__________________
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
Kelly Co-Guide to Owning the Magic: Disney Vacation Club & Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
My Countdown Counting down to: Spring Break @ the Poly!
no parks, but still Disney!!
OhToodles! is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-07-2015, 12:40 PM   #71
pamcarey
Community Rank: Navigator
 
pamcarey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Chelmsford, MA
Posts: 6,912

Post Thanks / Like
Hermann looks like a nice place to visit! I love all of the tastings that you did!
__________________
Pam

June 2016
My Countdown Counting down to: Returning to WDW!
Watching DD's marching band in the Magic Kingdom!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsMarch 1989 - offsite; April/May 2002 - Coronado Springs; March 2003 - All Star Movies; May 2003 - offsite; July 2003 - Port Orleans Riverside; April/May 2006 - Port Orleans Riverside; September 2007 - All Star Sports; August/September 2008 - All Star Movies and Pop Century; June 2009 - Pop Century; August 2010 - All Star Sports & Disney Wonder; June 2011 - All Star Music; April 2012 - Disney Fantasy; April 2013 - Port Orleans French Quarter; August 2015 - Disneyland offsite; April 2017 - Coronado Springs; December 2017 - Old Key West
pamcarey is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-07-2015, 01:26 PM   #72
OhToodles!
PassPorter Guide

Community Rank: Explorer
 
OhToodles!'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: St. Peters, MO
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 12,274

Post Thanks / Like
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey View Post
Hermann looks like a nice place to visit! I love all of the tastings that you did!
I forgot to include we bought 5 bottles at Stone Hill too. We each picked 2 to take home and one to have that night - which we never did open until we got home.
One of the bottles we brought home, we ended up giving to my MiL as they were watching the boys and Dylan ended up getting sick for about 6 hours so we thought she deserved it.
__________________
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
Kelly Co-Guide to Owning the Magic: Disney Vacation Club & Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
My Countdown Counting down to: Spring Break @ the Poly!
no parks, but still Disney!!
OhToodles! is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2015, 01:29 PM   #73
OhToodles!
PassPorter Guide

Community Rank: Explorer
 
OhToodles!'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: St. Peters, MO
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 12,274

Post Thanks / Like
St. Louis Zoo

This year on Easter we visited the zoo in the morning through early afternoon and then headed to the annual car show in Forest Park.

The plan was to arrive at opening, 9am, in order to get things done and get there before the masses. We parked in the parking lot, which we get 6 visits with our membership otherwise it's about $12-15. We arrived shortly after 9, as my family just can't seem to get out the door on time. My parents ended up in the other parking lot so we agreed to meet in the middle. While we waited for them the boys watched the sea lions. When my parents arrived we went through the underwater viewing tunnel for a bit, but it got too crowded so we moved on.










At 10am (I think) the lions were going to be getting an EGGrichment so we headed that way stopping to see a Red Panda and the Tiger. We found a spot above the lions and waited for the zookeepers to throw in the eggs. It was fun to see the male lion perk up and pounce on the eggs but that's about all the action we saw. We moved on to the rest of the "Red Rock" animals - zebras, giraffes, etc.

running up the hill




lazy bones


what did I hear?


the female came out as the male woke up, but laid back down shortly after - I guess the males eat first so she knew it would be a while


waiting patiently





snow leopard


puma - the paws on them were enormous!








this one had a joey in her pouch but I couldn't capture it on camera













babirusas - these 2 were butting heads - told the boys it reminded me of them

We went on to see the gorillas and they were getting some EGGrichment too but it was already too crowded for us to watch. Lukas spotted the carousel so Mike took them on that while the rest of us watched.



they were both fascinated with this gentleman sketching the gorillas - we saw him later sketching the painted dogs too







and yes, Lukas switched animals before they started

The boys then decided it was time to see the penguins & puffins. This exhibit had been closed for sometime, due to the impending opening of the new polar bear exhibit and had just opened a month ago. We didn't last too long in there as it's freezing! Good for a hot day to cool off, but not on an already chilly day.

i like how this one looks like he's smiling









bundled up from being in the Penguin & Puffin Coast

We stopped for lunch, only buying drinks. We've bought 2 of the big souvenier sippers in the past and they cost 90 cents to refill (10% discount of $1 with zoo membership) and the cups never expire! I brought stuff to make sandwiches, fruit, candy for dessert while mom brought the chips.

After lunch we headed to River's Edge where the rhino, cheetahs, elephants, etc. are.

lazy bones


painted dogs


he's up!


I swear Dylan & my Dad could watch animals for hours


everyone was sunbathing today






this guy had a nice big treat!


cheetah!


who then went off to hide


checking out information on some animals








Lukas had been asking to have his face painted (another 10% discount with our zoo membership) so we did that before leaving and heading to the car show. Dylan didn't want to at first but changed his mind quickly.







not too many pics from here as I had my zoom on and couldn't get good photos of the cars


The Muny - outdoor ampitheater - which we've bought season tickets for this year!


we found one of the cakes celebrating 250 years of St Louis




We didn't see many things today, but what we did see was great!!
__________________
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
Kelly Co-Guide to Owning the Magic: Disney Vacation Club & Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
My Countdown Counting down to: Spring Break @ the Poly!
no parks, but still Disney!!
OhToodles! is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2015, 01:41 PM   #74
lauriep
Community Rank: Legend
 
lauriep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 15,377

Post Thanks / Like
Such a wonderful zoo! AK is getting painted dogs for the night-time safari. That'll be cool. They're pretty scary when you see them in Africa- fierce! I have a great fondness for babirusas, so thank you for including that action shot of the pair! I think snow leopards are the most beautiful of all the big cats. So sad that they will soon only exist in zoos. That photo is beautiful. The boys look great with their face paint. Dylan's is amazing! Thanks for this post, Kelly! Unfortunately, I think my traveling days are over, but I can still enjoy armchair travels!
__________________
lauriep is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2015, 02:07 PM   #75
MayraLR
Community Rank: Explorer
 
MayraLR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Puerto Rico.
Concierge Level: 10
Posts: 12,253

Post Thanks / Like
We should trade this lion with the one at AK. Way more active.
Looks like you had a great time at the zoo, especially the kids.
__________________

My 2017 trip - Home is Where the Mouse Is COMPLETE
My Countdown Counting down to: Sailing through the Caribbean on the Freedom
Relaxing on my cruise
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsMay 2006 - WDW / offsite; May 2008 - WDW, SW, US, IOA / offsite; May 2011 - WDW / off-site; June 2012 - WDW / POR; June 2014 - WDW / AKL ~ Kidani Village; June 2017 - WDW / POR
MayraLR 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 11:51 AM.

-->

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