Fall, Firsts, Food And The Final Frontier TR - UPDATED 11/11 - COMPLETE!! - Page 53 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
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.
Wow! That is wall to wall people, for sure! We do have some weekend Epcot time planned, but I think we will do our FP+s and head to the Party for the Senses only! Geesh , that’s really crowded!!
Yep, that's why we'll never go to the Food and Wine Festival on weekends if we can avoid it, because of scenes like that! Just think, it's even worse on a Saturday night...
You had warned me about this and glad I didn't come for the booths today and just lunch, which is fine! The crowds are insane and you'll see more of this in the next update. I don't know how it can get even more crowded and that would be very unpleasant for me waiting in lines like this for the booths. Like for one of the popular attractions!
__________________
October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
I love all of your purchases. Those t shirts are nice.
I can’t believe those crowds. We’re going to the F&WF next year (yay!) so I will definitely include in my notes to not go on a weekend.
I made some good purchases during my trip and love them! The crowds were crazy and worse than I expected. Definitely, avoid the weekends but coming here for an ADR would be ok.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great purchases! Love the cutting board! Great pictures from Epcot! Boy, those lines are crazy!
I love that cutting board as being small is so convenient and easy to wash. Just couldn't believe those lines as well! Glad I came for an ADR and not the booths.
__________________
October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Wow! That is wall to wall people, for sure! We do have some weekend Epcot time planned, but I think we will do our FP+s and head to the Party for the Senses only! Geesh , that’s really crowded!!
It was a great start in Future World and got a lot in, but wish a bit more as tough with a 12 pm ADR. I think doing the Party is fine as you should avoid the booths for the most part unless you want a beverage before hand. May want to go to one of the regular kiosks and not one of the festival kiosks as much more crowded with the food offerings. I was amazed by the crowds and it wasn't a pretty scene and this was not even an hour after the booths opened today!
__________________
October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Not the Text I Wanted to Receive and Wish It Had Been 10 Minutes Ago!
Saturday, October 22nd (Part II) I entered Les Chefs de France and checked in for my 12 pm lunch ADR. Lunch service begins at 12 pm, so they weren’t seating anyone yet. They told me to take a seat and my name would be called, once my table was ready. I only waited about five minutes when I was called and was seated inside. Even better, as I had a great table by the window with some good people watching outside.
I haven’t dined here since 2005 as that was my first time at the restaurant. My meal and experience were not exactly great as the food and service were subpar. I’m hoping things have improved since then and I will have a much more memorable meal!
I was waited on rather quickly and looked over the menu and ordered a glass of sparkling Champagne to start. My waiter returned with my Champagne as well as a basket of baguettes and butter to enjoy. I ordered my selections and enjoyed the baguettes and Champagne for a while.
This was a good one!
I also spent some of the time taking some photos of the interior of the room I was seated as well as the activity outside, which I had a great view of.
Starting to fill up inside
Quite a crowded day for the Food & Wine Festival!
Shortly my first course arrived and I was certainly impressed with this!
Smoked Salmon Tartare with Capers, Onions, Dill and Honey Mustard Sauce
This had so much flavor and enjoyed it immensely. They did a great job with this as I’m a big fan of salmon and especially smoked salmon. I could have indulged in this for my second course as well and been perfectly happy.
Before my main course arrived, I ordered another glass of wine and this time a nice Bordeaux, which I enjoyed quite a bit.
In just a few minutes, my second course arrived and this was also a winner!
Beef Tenderloin with Haricot Verts (Green Beans), Scalloped Potatoes and a Green Peppercorn Sauce.
I enjoyed this course a lot as well and there was nothing about it I could fault. The beef was so tender and the sauce was so flavorful and just perfect! Probably, one of the best sauces I've had with any meal and that is something to say!
I was quite full from my lunch and decided to skip dessert as it’s early in the day and not always easy to eat such a big meal. I ordered a double espresso and a Grand Marnier to finish off my meal. Both were very enjoyable. Just an overall incredible meal and glad I gave Chefs a second chance! I will certainly return and definitely put this in my top ten eateries in WDW!
Quite crowded outside the restaurant.
After settling my bill, I walked around the restaurant and got some more photos before heading out of Epcot and back to the B Resort. Unfortunately, most of the photos were a bit blurry for some reason!
I left the restaurant and began to head out of Epcot walking towards the International Gateway and the U.K. This was quite a long meal and about two hours. My transportation to the airport will be arriving in an hour and I may take a taxi back to the B Resort instead of waiting for the bus so I’m back in time. I also need to get my luggage from bell services as well.
What a great first time experience this was!
Look at this scene in the U.K and is far worse, when I went to lunch over two hours ago!
Over at Islands of the Caribbean
Almost out of Epcot!
My last view and photo of Epcot before leaving!
Once, I went through the exit turnstile I looked for where to get a taxi, which I found rather easily. There were several of them waiting. I got in the taxi and began the ride back to the B Resort. This was sad as my trip was now over!
When, we were approaching the Disney Springs area I received a text from Jet Blue. I was thinking that it may be just a gate change, but the news wasn’t that good! My flight was being delayed from 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Not what I wanted to I wanted to hear! This is not the text I wanted to receive and wish it had been ten minutes ago! If so, then I could have spent a good hour or so more in Epcot and over in Future World for an attraction or two! I would just have to call Mears and push back my pickup time to 4:45 p.m. instead of 3:15 p.m. Too late now and nothing I can do about it unfortunately!
NEXT: Not Exactly a Dream Ending to A Great Trip!
__________________
October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Last edited by SuperDave; 11-03-2017 at 12:54 AM..
That's a pain about the change in departure time and that you couldn't take advantage of it. At least you had a great last meal at Chefs de France. I'm glad it was so much better than your last time there.
Your meal sounds delicious! I actually had the same experience as you in Chefs de France years ago and haven’t been back either. I think I will add it back in now! Bummer about Jet Blue but what a nice way to finish up your trip!!
I'm so glad to hear you found Chef's de France enjoyable. My family ate there in 2007 and we haven't been back since. I didn't mind it, but my family didn't care for it. We are giving it another go in December so I hope this time everyone likes it.
Shame about the text for your flight. Next installment doesn't sound good.
That's crazy how crowded it was in Epcot! I hope to never experience a crowd like that in a park. I ate at Chefs de France about eight years ago, and I was unimpressed. Maybe it's time to give it another try.
That's a pain about the change in departure time and that you couldn't take advantage of it. At least you had a great last meal at Chefs de France. I'm glad it was so much better than your last time there.
Not what I wanted with the flight delay! I was very impressed with my meal at Chef's and so much better this time around.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tara O'Hara
Your meal sounds delicious! I actually had the same experience as you in Chefs de France years ago and haven’t been back either. I think I will add it back in now! Bummer about Jet Blue but what a nice way to finish up your trip!!
It was a great meal and the way to end a great trip to WDW and in my favorite park! I wasn't happy about receiving the text about the Jet Blue delay! I hope you enjoy Chef's as much as I did the next time you dine there.
__________________
October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
What a great meal to end your trip! Boy, Epcot was busy today! Sorry about the flight delay!
I really enjoyed Chef's and every element of it! The crowds were insane at Epcot! I wasn't too happy about the delay!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ella678
I'm so glad to hear you found Chef's de France enjoyable. My family ate there in 2007 and we haven't been back since. I didn't mind it, but my family didn't care for it. We are giving it another go in December so I hope this time everyone likes it.
Shame about the text for your flight. Next installment doesn't sound good.
I enjoyed my lunch at Chef's so much and had great service and done at such a leisurely pace, which was great for my last ADR on this trip! Perfect way to end it! My last experience was probably similar to yours and hope you give it another try and find it much better. The flight delay is not the way I want to end the trip! You'll find out in the next installment!
__________________
October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
That's crazy how crowded it was in Epcot! I hope to never experience a crowd like that in a park. I ate at Chefs de France about eight years ago, and I was unimpressed. Maybe it's time to give it another try.
I couldn't believe the crowds this day! I knew it would be crowded but wasn't expecting wall to wall people! It was such a great experience doing the booths earlier in the week without this with minimal waits! I like going to Epcot for lunch before flying home but will NEVER do the booths on a weekend!
I had a great meal at Chef's and glad I gave it another try after several years. It was that much better and hope you do as well the next time!
__________________
October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!