Our Stop and Smell the Roses (a.ka. ditching the itinerary) Trip Report- COMPLETE!! 2/16 - Page 6 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
Since DHS was only open until 6 p.m., we decided to take a cab over so we could get there as quickly as possible and maximize our time. We had a very friendly driver who was from the same town where DH and I met – small world!
We were back in the park by about 5 p.m. – let’s see how much we can do in an hour! First we booked it over to ToT. We’d tried to get a FP before we left the park but they weren’t distributing them that day. The sign said a 10 minute wait but it was really a walk on. I tried to take advantage of the empty lobby to get some pictures but DH was shooing me along so we could get into the group going in. I did get a couple of pics though.
It was a new drop sequence since our last trip. Fun! On the way out I stopped to check out the back of the building – I don’t think I’ve ever really looked closely here. I love all the cool details.
DH had picked up TSMM FPs before lunch – we ran over there and made it just in the nick of time before their 5:20 p.m. expiry. Since DD wasn’t with us, the real competition was on!!! DH totally won.
By the time we were done there it was almost 5:45 p.m. so we popped into One Man’s Dream for a quick look. The CM told us they had a hard close of 6 p.m. tonight because of a special event so if we wanted to see the movie we’d have to go straight back. We opted instead to just look around at the exhibit. I’ll have to schedule more time for this next time because it was so interesting and there’s definitely more I want to see.
The last couple of trips I’ve just been “meh” about DHS. It does house my favorite ride, of course, but it hadn’t left me wanting more. This time was different. I don’t know if it’s that we managed our touring better or that I made an effort to really soak in the atmosphere, but I really fell in love with DHS all over again this trip. I can’t wait to spend more time here on our next trip!
We took the boat over to the Boardwalk – it was a nice relaxing ride and perfect timing – we got to Kouzzina about 10 minutes before our ADR. We ended up waiting about 10 minutes beyond our ADR time before we were seated. We were at the table just to the right of the door to the lobby, which wasn’t too bad because they kept the doors shut.
We each started off with a glass of sangria.
Since appetizers are always my favorite part of the meal, we opted to do a variety of appetizer dishes instead of entrees. We started off with spanikopita, one of my favorite dishes, which was very tasty.
Next we tried the onion flatbread, which was more like an onion tart. Another tasty dish (although I picked off the olives because I’m not a fan).
We moved on to the house salad with spiced cashews and lemon dressing. I liked the nice bit of spice and crunch from the nuts.
We endd with the Kouzzina sampler, which was stuffed grape leaves, pitas and hummus, spiced cashews, olivies and two skewers (we picked the lamb meatballs and spicy shrimp). The skewers were probably just about to my threshold of spiciness – any more and I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy. I was glad that the platter included yogurt sauce because I needed it to cut the spiciness. I thought the platter was very good but somewhat of a small portion for the price ($17.99).
I really enjoyed our meal here. I’m a big fan of Greek food and don’t get it as often as I like at home. Other than the cost of the sampler platter, I think the overall value was pretty good.
I had my eye on a special dessert over at Boardwalk Bakery so that was our next stop.
Unfortunately I was messing with my camera settings and didn’t do justice to this beautiful peanut butter cake, but let me assure you, it is a star!!!! So delicious – our fave dessert of the week. We sat outside at one of the café tables – it was a little chilly by now but you can’t beat that atmosphere.
We decided to stroll over to the BC. On the way I decided to bring up the “evil” plan I’d hatched the day before. Remember that DH had offered to book a spa appointment for me? I asked him if I could take the “cash equivalent” and upgrade my Dooney and Bourke wristlet to the tassel tote. After looking around, I realized that I wanted more of the pattern than is possible on a little wristlet. The price difference was about the same as the cost of a treatment and I figured I’d enjoy the bag much long after the memory of a spa treatment had faded. He said sure, that was fine if that’s what I wanted. Woohoo!
And of course I’d timed this perfectly, knowing that the YC gift shop carries the bags. Heehee!
We first stopped at the Beach Club so that DH could replace a t-shirt I’d gotten him here in 2008 (it got badly stained the first time he wore it). We then walked over to the YC. On the way we passed Beaches and Cream and it was empty in there! Too bad my tummy was all full of cake otherwise I would’ve stopped for a sundae. I checked out the bags at the YC gift shop but didn’t see one with a pattern I loved so I decided I’d resume “the hunt” tomorrow.
By now it was getting near the time we needed to pick up DD so we took a cab over to Poly. I hated spending so much money on cabs this day, but it was worth it for the convenience and time saving.
We were glad to see that DD had another great night at the club. On the way back to the room we stopped for just a little sweet at the lounge. I gave my Mom a quick call to check in then it was off to bed.
I was lucky enough to experience the awesome yumminess of the chocolate peaunt butter cake from the Boardwalk Bakery when we were there last month. Heaven. On. Earth.
Great time at DHS. I love that park. Just a quick question, what kind of camera do you have? You took some awesome pictures. I love the ones at Sci-Fi.
Glad you had a great adults only night! Love the pictures!
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by debrabrown
Great date night! I love the idea of doing apps instead of a full blown meal.
Apps are my favorite. One year my mom did an entire apps only meal for Christmas Eve -- I was in heaven!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick and Ryans Mom
I was lucky enough to experience the awesome yumminess of the chocolate peaunt butter cake from the Boardwalk Bakery when we were there last month. Heaven. On. Earth.
Yay -- another fan!!!! I may stay at one of the Epcot area hotels next time just to be closer to the cake.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lissybri
Great time at DHS. I love that park. Just a quick question, what kind of camera do you have? You took some awesome pictures. I love the ones at Sci-Fi.
Aw, thank you so much! It's a Canon PowerShot S5IS. I got it about a year and a half ago so there may be a more current generation of it now. I was debating between a point-and-shoot and a DSLR. I went with this one as a compromise between the two -- it's a point-and-shoot but it has a fair amount of settings that you can adjust manually.
That cupcake looks awesome! I think I'd need a fork and knife!
And the peanut butter cake from the Boardwalk bakery! wow!
Sounds like y'all had a great day. Glad you fell back in love with DHS.
** I will be on a hunt for a D&B purse in June. I may ask you for a list of shops that carry them so I'll know all my options. **
We saw the D&B purses at:
Downtown Disney -- WoD and TrenD
MK - Uptown Jewelers
Resort Gift Shops - Summer Lace at the GF and the YC gift shop
DHS - there is a shop here that has them but I'm not sure which one. I think it's one of the ones on the side street that leads to ToT.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
What a wonderful date night at Kouzzina's! All your appetizers looked truly ! Can't wait to see which D & B bag you get.
I'll have to keep you in suspense a little longer. As you probably can gather so far, I needed to look at almost every one on property before deciding.
Downtown Disney -- WoD and TrenD
MK - Uptown Jewelers
Resort Gift Shops - Summer Lace at the GF and the YC gift shop
DHS - there is a shop here that has them but I'm not sure which one. I think it's one of the ones on the side street that leads to ToT.
I slept in until almost 8 a.m. and it felt great! I heard some music outside so I stepped out on the balcony and realized I could hear the opening ceremony from MK (it was an EMH morning). How cool is that?
DH brought up breakfast from the lounge and today they had the most delicious pecan sticky buns. Oh my goodness, I was in heaven. They were sooooo good. I had to restrain myself from going downstairs and pulling up a chair in front of the platter!
(glamour shot of "the buns")
We were having a leisurely morning because we'd decided we would start the day with DD’s 10:30 a.m. appointment at BBB. I wasn’t sure how long she’d want to wear her princess costume for so I figured we’d change her when we got there but amazingly, she wanted to wear it to the park. Here’s my little princess heading to the monorail.
On the way to BBB we stopped to look at the wishing well -- I don't think I've ever really taken notice of it before.
And here's the progress on the castle since earlier that week -- the decorative scrim for the bottom half was almost all in place. It looked better than I expected.
I was surprised how busy it was a BBB – there was barely room to sit in the waiting area and it was even tighter inside the salon. Here’s a peak inside:
Our FGIT came out to meet us around 10:45 a.m. She chatted with DD about our trip and was stunned to hear that this was DD’s 7th trip to WDW. She mentioned it to everyone who passed by – other FGITs, the PhotoPass photogs, etc. She wouldn’t stop harping on it – geesh, we get enough ribbing about it at home; I didn’t think we’d deal with that here.
Anyway, she was really a miracle worker with DD’s hair – not just the fact that DD would let her comb it out without complaining but that she was able to get it in an up-do. I really didn’t think DD’s hair was long enough but she managed it – there were some pieces in the back that stayed down because they were too short, but from the front it looked just like the pictures in the brochure (she picked the Fairy Tale Princess look). I thought she looked adorable (and quite glittery!) when she was done.
We headed over to Toontown so she could get pictures with the princesses. We saw Sleeping Beauty (her twin!), Cinderella and Belle. This is another meet location where my camera hates the lighting so I left most of the picture taking to the PhotoPass photogs.
Afterwards we toured Minnie and Mickey’s houses. I was a little sad knowing that this may be the last trip for us before the changes. We sure will miss it!
DD wanted to meet M&M in the Judge’s Tent but the line was so long we bailed and told her we’d try again on our last day. We made our way down to the photo studio on Main Street so that DD could have a photo session. Once that was done, DD sat down for a snack (it’s hard work being a princess!) and I snuck off to Uptown Jewelers to look at the D&B bags.
Would you believe I found THE perfect one. BUT, I turned it over to look at the bottom (not even sure why I did that) and found there was defect in the stitching that made a ripple in the material. It probably wouldn’t affect the use of the bag, but I figured for that price I didn’t want a defect.
By the time I got back to DH and DD, I found DH taking apart DD’s hair-do. She said it was all itchy, which I can believe based on the amount of product they used. I figured this would happen so I wasn’t too upset. I think she enjoyed the experience even if she did only keep the look for about 90 minutes.
We made our way back to our room to get changed for tea at the Garden View Lounge. We had a 2 p.m. ADR and were seated right as they opened. We sat at one of the tables in the middle of the restaurant – actually it was two small tables together with a couch on one side and two wicker chairs on the other. Our table was too small for flowers so I took a picture of the ones on the empty table next to us.
Our table:
This was our view:
I'm quite certain our waitress thought I was a nutty shutterbug because I was taking all these pictures when we'd barely sat down -- but I wanted to get it out of the way while the restaurant was virtually empty (hey, I had a trip report to think about!).
DH and I each got the Buckingham and DD had the Mrs. Potts. Everything was delicious and it was a thoroughly relaxing experience! We were there for a full two hours. It was a little long for DD so at one point DH had to run up to the Mickey Mercantile to get her a sticker book to keep her occupied. At the end of tea the manager came out and gave DD a pink rose – what a nice touch!
(tea sandwiches and onion tart)
(scone and strawberry jam tart)
(DD enjoying her "tea" -- a.k.a. chocolate milk)
(my selections from the pastry tray -- chocolate covered strawberry and swan filled with banana mousse)
I would definitely do tea here again although next time I might try to book a later ADR so that we could put DD in the kids's club. While she enjoyed it, two hours was a little long for her to sit still.
After tea DH took DD to the pool while I relaxed in the room
About This Page: 
PassPorter Guide Author
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
And that cupcake is to die for! 
. Remember that DH had offered to book a spa appointment for me? I asked him if I could take the “cash equivalent” and upgrade my Dooney and Bourke wristlet to the tassel tote. After looking around, I realized that I wanted more of the pattern than is possible on a little wristlet. The price difference was about the same as the cost of a treatment and I figured I’d enjoy the bag much long after the memory of a spa treatment had faded. 
Deb
I was lucky enough to experience the awesome yumminess of the chocolate peaunt butter cake from the Boardwalk Bakery when we were there last month. Heaven. On. Earth. 
![[SIGPIC]](signaturepics/sigpic27594_7.gif)
.
.
. 
. It probably wouldn’t affect the use of the bag, but I figured for that price I didn’t want a defect.
Linear Mode
