Saving the Magic (with Cam and Luke plus Morgan) COMPLETED - Page 65 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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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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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I've spent the last couple of days catching up on all of your updates, and wow! What a wonderful trip report! You're such an inspiration to me, and it's obvious that a lot of others here are in agreement. You've got the most brilliant strength. I bet your little Stefanie is looking down on you now, proud as she can be of her mom.
I'm excited to see more, take care!
__________________
Pop Century, Dec. 2008
The Polynesian Resort, Dec. 2010
Pop Century, Dec. 2011
All Star Music Resort, Dec. 2012
Coronado Springs, Dec. 2013
Love the pic of Morgan on EE! Heather is too funny.
It's amazing how caught up with animals you can get. We always stay longer looking at them then we expect to.
In my next update or the one after that, we get very waylaid observing some of the animals, but it was such a fun experience.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HollyH
Sounds like Lilly was nice and playful. I would have loved watching her chase rabbits and sit in buckets. Well, let's face it.....I love to watch her period! I can easily pass 40 minutes watching the gorillas.
Glad Morgan got to see an Okapi finally and glad you got a shot of Luke, Morgan and Heather coming down the mountain. Great photopass picture -Heather's pose
cracks me up.
The weather kept clouding up and there were even a few cracks of thunder. Each time Lilly would come tearing down the hill toward the glass windows and climb into a bucket. One time she sent herself rolling when she hopped in so suddenly. Too adorable!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great pics from AK! Love the ones of Lilly! And the EE one!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MontiMouse
Luke and Morgan got the best seats on Everest. I being in the very back!
Luke loves the very back and the very front.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Linnynad
Well looking at Heather's easy breezy approach to riding EE is making me think I can finally give it a go!!
I am loving all the pics, and you got some great ones of Lilly!!
I wouldn't let Heather fool you! She does terrific on it, but you notice I'm not riding because my motion sickness kicks in on this ride.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TuffyCO
Love all the pictures of the animals. We have never done a lot of the trails, because the one time we did was very difficult. It was very busy and kept getting bottle-necked and my kids don't do well squishing through crowds. So we have never tried any since. Now that they are older and seeing all the wonderful animals, we may have to give it a try again.
The photopass EE pic is awesome, Heather looks like she could be taking a nap! Morgan clearly is loving it!
BTW, you posted in the title that the TR was updated 9/1, it's not quite September yet.
We've never been on the trails when they were crowded, not even this time after that huge crowd at the gates. In fact, we like them because usually the trails get us out of the crowds.
I could have sworn I hit the 8 key, but that is a 9.
Quote:
Originally Posted by buzzspal2
Great update.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dsteiny23
Lily is just adorable!! And I love the Okapi too. Glad Morgan got to see one. Was it anything like she thought it would be based on the description you gave her?
Yup...love the EE pic too! Heather just out for a little ride on a lovely afternoon
Once she saw it she said she completely understood my description of it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2princessmom
Just got caught up! Tusker House is our favorite breakfast spot! Must do each and every trip! I love the pictures of the Gorillas. Now to convince my girls that they are worth going to see. We have yet to go down that trail. The girls just don't believe me that they will like it!
Maybe next time!
Hope you can finally make it down Pangani Forest Trail as the gorillas are so worth it.
great update! love all the pics and Lily is soo cute.
what an amazing EE photo! i think i'll try that in Sept.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jackid2
Great pictures from AK!! Iloved the EE one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Principessa_di_Fata
I love the EE photo - Heather's pose reminds me of the silliness we girls did in February for the photos on RnRC and ToT. LOL! Knowing where the cameras are makes it really convenient for fun photo ops!
I love watching the animals, and I can't believe how big Lily is now!
Wait until you see the four of us on Dinosaur. Too funny!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MickeyD
All caught up and waiting for more. Can't wait to see Lily on our trip in Sept. Glad to hear the great reviews for TH breakfast. Have ADR for Sept also.
Hope you all enjoy Tusker House, too!
Quote:
Originally Posted by queen2
Just love your pictures from the trail. I don't think I've ever seen or been on that trail. Just where is it located?.
You take awesome pictures
Pangani Forest Trail is right t down from Kilimanjaro Safaris in the Africa portion.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mommapants
Nice update. Lilly is getting so big but still totally adorable.
She is so adorable, makes me want to pick her up!
Quote:
Originally Posted by guerns17
Great pictures! I loved the EE ride pics...it looks like a ton of fun!
Quote:
Originally Posted by DisneyKYFan
I love Heather on EE...sitting there like it's no big thing.
She is too cool!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Roxie2006
Glad to see Morgan did get to see a Okapi. You took great pictures of Lily. I must say Animal Kingdom is our favorite Park. I just need to remember the name of the shop, where you bought your Giraffes. Looking forward to more about your Animal Kingdom day.
Are you talking about the giraffes I bought in June 2011? If so, I can check my receipt for the exact shop.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
Love the photos of the gorillas. I could watch them all day long!!
Me, too!
Quote:
Originally Posted by NanaTink
Great update! Loved the photos of the gorillas!!! Morgan looked like she was having a blast! Bet Luke enjoyed having his coaster buddy!!! Great shot of Heather! I am so going to have to do that ...but doubt I can really pull it off!!
I could never pull it off because by that point I'm ready to hurl.
Quote:
Originally Posted by shnewell
More great animal photos! Glad you got to see Lilly -- she is getting big. I love the shot of her frolicking in mid-air.
Heather is too cool for school! I love the look on Morgan's face. I'm guessing she loved it!
Morgan loved all the coasters, and I think, she said EE was #2.
Quote:
Originally Posted by omd
Lily is getting big! I can't wait to see her in October. As usual your pictures are awesome. I love the picture of Morgan on EE.
Quote:
Originally Posted by roaminggnome
Another great update. Loved the pics of the trail. It is so fun to watch all the different animals. We loose track of time in there and relax. Dylan was giggling at the pictures of EE. He wanted to know why I never look that calm after I get off that ride. I always look like I was caught in a wind tunnel and my hair isn't the same the rest of the day.
I don't remember my hair being messed up on EE, but I turn a very ashy shade of pale and it's quite obvious that I'm sick.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Great photos of Lilly - can't believe how big she's getting!
I could believe how much she had grown in a year, and she is so lively!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mousestruck
What wonderful pictures! Your camera does a great job! That EE photo is great... love Heather's total chill... so funny! Looking forward to hearing about the rest of your day at AK.
The plan now was to head to Camp Minnie-Mickey to catch a showing of The Festival of the Lion King. But before we had walked very far at all, I notice there were actually monkeys out in their habitat. Usually when we visit in June, it is so hot and humid that we either see no monkeys or only one or two who just sit there. Today was different with overcast skies and less heat, so the monkeys were out and playing, a first for us.
I was really wishing that I had brought my longer lens with me today.
We stopped on the way for a drink to satisfy the thirsties.
Morgan found this neat little car to rest in while Luke got our drinks.
Once we got to FotLK, we waited about 20 minutes and then we were let in where we sat in the Lion section. I was very excited that the Tumble Monkeys tumbled again as we missed out on that last June. No pictures this time as I simply enjoyed watching. Afterwards, Morgan was ready for a thrill ride again and we had more FastPasses that were ripe. In fact, Luke and Morgan rode two more times while Heather and I shopped and chatted.
Morgan was getting a little braver. She had had her arms high up, but just before the drop on their third trip down she began to lower them.
From here we traveled to the Maharajah Jungle Trek to see tigers and bats. Before we could see this two creatures, we discovered a Komodo Dragon.
And then more birds/ducks!
Bats
Snakes!
Tigers!
Thordic or Barking Deer (couldn’t remember what the CM told us when I wrote notes down later) that the CM in this area jokingly told a family near was dinner for the tigers. The mom gave him a stern look and he backpedaled very fast after that.
Got to get ready for a wedding, so I’ll have to end here.
Next: What is that bird doing? Followed by more monkey fun!
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Wonderful photos! I love the siamang apes. It's hard to get there first thing in the morning, because there are so many other great early-morning things to do at AK, but the CMs often give them crickets as their early-morning enrichment and it's hilarious watching (and hearing!) them go crazy as they chase them around the habitat.
Beautiful animals. The bats creep me out a bit. I know they are harmless, but they still creep me out. I love how Morgan is getting braver! She is much more brave than me. Have fun at the wedding!
I think it's funny that the CM told the family that the deer were for the tiger's dinner . I'd think that it would be clear that he was joking - guess not everyone has the same sense of humor!
__________________
Stacey
Why do these kids look so pathetic?
Find out in: A New Grade, A New House, and A Surprise!Final Thoughts 01/30
Finally, I am now caught up! I can't believe how fast you manage to post your updates, not to mention your responses to everyone that post. What a wonderful trip so far, and Morgan is really getting brave on Everest. Love the photos!
I love the EE photos! It really cracks me up to check out the other people in the photo. The people in the first photo don't look like they are enjoying EE too much.
Amazing tiger photos!!!! They are such beautiful animals and I love to watch them.
Laurie, thanks for the tip about the CMs giving the apes crickets for enrichment in the morning . It is hard to get there first thing in the morning but it sounds like it would be worth checking out.
Just catching up again. so glad you got to see the monkeys. Our last three visits were in January and we spent lots of time watching them. And I cannot imagine the Lion King without the tumble monkeys, another favorite.
Looks like you are having a nice time. Can't wait for more.
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