Live, Laugh, Relax with Cam and Fam Completed 7/31 - Page 63 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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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.
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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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Your morning at the pool sounded wonderful (except for the rude woman). Glad that she did not ruin what looked to be a great time at the pool. Sorry that DHS was so crowded, that combined with the heat, I would have been heading out the gates as well.
Just finished what you have up to this point! I IT!!! What a fantastic trip and I cannot wait for more!
I love Stefanie's character interactions--and Pam's too! How magical! I love to see that, and hearing about Pam's reactions was one of my favorite chapters.
I think my very favorite was Stefanie's Magical Moment as Princess for the Day!! What an amazing experience! Seeing the Prince hand her the rose brought tears to my eyes! How wonderful!
You're pictures are absolutely fantastic! I them! It's like I'm there, and I've really been needing a Disney fix lately!
Hope you have more for us soon!
__________________
Amanda =)
Living out a childhood dream during my summer 2015 trip to WDW. Is it time to go back yet?
“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them." –Walt Disney
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The pool photos are terrific! And I forgot to say that I find the Test Track photo so funny! I'd have sworn this was taken as you were at a standstill waiting for the ride to start.
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As to the pool, it wasn't really crowded. That's what made her reaction so strange as there were probably 20 chairs in the same area all available and just as nice as they were right by the side of the pool, too. When we arrived, not a single one had a towel or other stuff on it, so we simply picked three together. She would have probably been confused even if she had arrived before us since her towels had clearly been removed by the staff. I'm not sure when the pool opens, but we got there about 10:10 and lots of chairs were open all over the entire pool.
As to DHS in the afternoon, I'm not really sure that was a factor. It was the last day of the Star Wars Weekends, so that had loads of people out. Touringplans.com had told it was a park to avoid because of that, but we had hoped that the morning folks would be ready to leave the park as we were arriving. No such luck.
Absolutely the Safari Backpack! It might have to go on my "need to purchase" list for next year (as long as I can get Gary to get rid of his old blue JanSport!)
Your dinner at Le Cellier sounds We haven't been there before but I'm planning on getting the same meal as you did!
Those wait times at DHS were outrageous! Can't wait to read your next installment!!
Next: Some fun with the chipmunks and what to do for the evening?
We had dinner reservations as The Garden Grill, so we had planned to head to Epcot after DHS anyway. So we caught a bus from DHS to Epcot and we were soon walking through the gates, stopping for our traditional Spaceship Earth family photo and even a magic shot. We had realized on the bus ride over that we had not taken this picture yet since we kept entering Epcot through the International Gateway.
Stefanie was finally get a grasp of what the magic shot were all about. I love her face in this picture!
As climbed the hill, we saw a small line at Spaceship Earth and 5 minutes later we were on board. Thank goodness the crowd was much more manageable here at Epcot. I thought the pictures of all three of us cute and funny.
Here is mine and Stefanie’s picture. I wasn’t really sure the camera could even see her, but it did.
And now Luke’s picture with some blue-haired woman.
Though it was still a little early for our dinner reservation, we decided to head to The Land and see if we might be seated anyway. We arrived a half hour early and we were seated less than 5 minutes later. This is the first place we ever ate on WDW property, so it holds a special place for all three of us. It is definitely in Stefanie’s top 3 for restaurants. Hidden Mickey at our table, though it was quite obvious.
Chip was the first to visit and startled me a bit at first by coming up behind me and touching my ears. Chip found it quite funny that I scared so easily.
Luke mentioned to Chip that my ears were very ticklish, so what does a mischievous chipmunk do with that kind of knowledge. Of course, he tickles me. And Luke captured the moment for everyone.
Chip was very fun as he interacted with all three of us! In fact, don’t tell Dale, but Chip is now my favorite chipmunk.
You can tell that Chip is continuing to tickle my ear even as we’re taking this photo.
Finally signing Stefanie’s autograph book
Posing with our chipmunk
Chip rushed himself and Stefanie over to Luke, so Luke could be in a photo, too. In fact, Chip threatened to tickle my ears again if I didn’t pick up the camera.
I was little sad to see Chip leave, but he was followed closely by Pluto.
Stefanie ran up to Pluto for an immediate hug.
Telling stories to Pluto
Another pose
Dale arrived shortly after Pluto left and Stefanie wanted to be sure he knew what a prankster his brother had been.
Stefanie was all smiles with her favorite chipmunk.
I’m not sure what this look is about or what she is thinking.
Lots of Love and Hugs
Finally, Mickey arrived and was totally adorable, dancing with Stefanie.
Tickling Mickey. This must be getting contagious.
A Fist Bump with the Mouse
At one point, Mickey pointed to Stefanie’s macaroni and cheese. She said, “Mickey, I know you love cheese. I’m eating cheese, too. Your macaroni and cheese.” Too cute! Mickey got all excited and gave her a thumbs up.
Our meal consisted of Mahi Mahi and grilled veggies, Turkey and dressing, and Strip Beef and smashed potatoes. Stefanie had the kid’s drumstick, baked macaroni and cheese, and sweet potato fries. Dessert was a fruit cobbler with whipped cream and Mickey Mousse. Pooh tummies all around!
Stefanie wanted to be sure we remember what table we had had.
A little more loving on Mickey
After a quick restroom break, we headed to Innoventions West, so Luke could try out the Sum of all Thrills. I assured him that Stefanie and I were fine waiting, and he went off to build a roller coaster.
The line was moving rather quickly, and Luke was soon in the briefing room.
Stefanie was a little bothered that she had lost sight of her Dad, but soon we saw him move to the Design Lab.
From where we stood we could see him working on his design.
A little bit later he headed upstairs to experience his own design. We could just see the top of his head as he waited.
Then it was time for him to ride.
Just before he got on, Stefanie had alerted me that she to go to the bathroom again. I asked her to wait while I got a few pictures of him. His ride was short and she made it. We rushed to the restrooms behind Mouse Gear and all was well. No repeat of last year’s accident. Overall, Luke loved the Sum of All Thrills experience, but was disappointed that he did not add in more. Next year, I’m sure his coaster will be more extreme.
The Tron monorail was coming through, so I got a quick photo.
After the restroom, we made a stop at Pin Central, another of our favorite pin stations. We found the Father’s Day pin for Luke and a Chip and Dale for me to remember our fun time at dinner tonight.
Stefanie was still in the mood to meet characters so we headed to Epcot’s Character Spot for time with the Fab 5. We had a 15 – 20 minute wait here, but the cartoons always make the time go by faster. Loads of fun was had with all our friends.
First to greet us was Mickey himself.
This has become a traditional pose for our family over the past several years.
Second was Pluto.
Then we got to spend a bit of time with Minnie.
Then Stefanie got to tell Donald happy birthday again.
Our last visit was with Luke’s favorite Goofy.
After our happy reunion with the Fab 5, Luke asked, “What next?” I gave him two options, either of which was good with me. 1. Go back to the Beach Club and watch basketball. We’re Celtics fan OR 2. Go to DHS for Fantasmic. He got to lead the way. He took us out of the park toward the buses, so I figured we were going to Fantasmic. As we walked, Stefanie and I were very slow as her legs were hurting. Luke asked are you sure you wouldn’t mind going back and watching the game. I really didn’t want to fight that massive crowd again and the heat had all three of us tired. I checked Lines for wait times and discovered that all our favorites would still require a ridiculously long wait.
Once at DHS we headed straight for the boat to Beach Club. Chris and Jack were the most talkative and entertaining skippers we had. We docked about 8:45 and leisurely walked to our room, taking a few photos on the way.
Back at our room, I put in some laundry, checked e-mail and Facebook, took a few notes, downloaded another 186 pictures, and of course, watched the game. Celtics! Lights were out by 11 PM.
LOVE the picture of Chip tickling your ears! You looked like you were having so much fun. We plan on going to the Epcot picture spot with the grandkids in October. We have never done that before and it looks like lots of fun.
My son works for Raytheon so he is lloking forward to on "building" his own roller coaster.
Thanks for all the great pictures. Sorry about the Celtics!
All caught up again Cam. So sorry about the rude woman at the pool but at least it on ruined her day, not yours and good for you for NOT responding to her while reading your book. Bummer that DHS was so crowded but you still made the best of things by being flexible. Sounds like a great meal and character interaction at the Land and later in Epcot.
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A couple more great days at WDW. I've lost track...how many more do we have to go? I'm going to be so sad when it's time to go home.
I'm glad WDW pulls towels like that, but it's too bad you got the brunt of the problem...the lifeguard should have taken the time to explain to the lady when he/she heard what was going on. Our Marriott timeshare has that policy, but rarely does pull towels. You can get up in the morning and 1/2 the chairs by the pool (in all the good spots) will have towels on them and no people around for ages.
I love the "saying" you posted of Luke's. He's such a keeper. I could see that in his interactions with you guys last summer at our MK meet.
We just love Chip & Dale... they're always so much fun! Glad you enjoyed your interaction with them. More adorable pictures of Stefanie with characters. Sounds like the Garden Grill menu has changed a bit since our last visit a couple of years ago. (Sounds better now -- we didn't care for some of the selections last time around.) Sometimes a relaxing evening in the room is perfect! I'm sure you were ready to hit the ground running the next morning.
We just LOVE Garden Grill! It's definitely a favorite.I'm so glad the backpack worked this time!And awesome score on the SWW shirts - I know AKL IPO got Mike's for half off too - what a treat!
Sorry to hear that you hit big crowds at DHS but it sounds like it was better at Epcot. Garden Grill was our first Disney restaurant as a family, too! You had some great character interaction. I promise that I won't tell Dale that Chip is now your favorite! The rude woman at the pool was something else -especially since there were plenty of chairs available!
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We haven't been there before but I'm planning on getting the same meal as you did!
*Melissa
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Disney Magic - Oct 2015
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