Forums Closed
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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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
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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.
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11-27-2006, 12:24 PM
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#91
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Community Rank: Legend Extraordinaire 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Ohio Football Hall Of Fame
Posts: 42,304
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Day 1, Part 3, updated 11/27
Great update!! I love your pictures!! Sorry your lunch wasn't too good. Can't wait for more!!!
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11-27-2006, 02:07 PM
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#92
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RED SOX NATION!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Day 1, Part 3, updated 11/27
Great pictures of your morning adventures [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] Sorry lunch was a disappointment [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]
More please [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
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11-27-2006, 07:12 PM
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#93
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Community Rank: Adventurer 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Alberta Canada
Posts: 507
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Day 1, Part 3, updated 11/27
Great update - Thanks
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11-28-2006, 01:45 AM
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#94
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PassPorter Message Board Manager
 PassPorter Guide Author
Community Rank: Legend VIP 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Day 1, Part 3, updated 11/27
Shame about the lunch, but apart from that, you day sounds great! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]
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11-28-2006, 08:48 AM
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#95
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Community Rank: Jetsetter 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Arlington,Texas USA
Posts: 2,555
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Day 1, Part 3, updated 11/27
Happy to be reading more of your report! Sorry your lunch was lousy.
tenya
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11-28-2006, 11:54 AM
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#96
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Community Rank: Scout 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Songtan, South Korea
Posts: 4,681
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Day 1, Part 4, updated 11/28
<font color="blue">
<u>Day 1 - October 30, 2006 – Part 4</u>
After that fabulous lunch (yeah, right), we knew it was time to see the dolphin show! There was a show in session, so we went to Dolphin Encounter where you could feed and (hopefully) pet the dolphins. They were so cute and friendly! I just loved them!
 
This is Michael and Victoria petting the dolphin. How cool is that? I [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] how he looks like he is smiling.
He swam away before I could pet him, but Michael would not hear of that. So, Michael called that little guy back, and I got to pet him, too. We all agreed that he did not feel like we expected him to. He was very smooth but not rubbery like I had imagined. I loved this dolphin encounter. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img]
The dolphin show let out, and Dolphin Encounter was soon swarming with people. I am so glad we went during a show and had some private time with the dolphins. We then headed to the Forbidden Reef to see and pet the stingrays.
I never could get a really good picture of the stingrays. Oh well. We decided to be brave and go to R.L. Stine’s Haunted Lighthouse.
I was really expecting to be frightened. Needless to say, there was nothing to be scared of in this show. It was so silly. But, Victoria enjoyed it, and we all enjoyed the 4D effects.
The flowers were so lovely to see all over the park.
I loved this tree. Can anyone tell us what it is? It almost looks like a lily on a tree.
We were now ready for the 3:00 p.m., showing of Dolphin Discovery at the Dolphin Stadium. Since Maxine is in a wheelchair, we sat pretty high up so we’d get a good view and she wouldn’t have to walk too far or maneuver too many stairs. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.
 
 
Now this was pretty incredible. This dolphin jumped up and touched the little flag. What an incredible jump these dolphins have!  
After the show, we realized we had missed Shark Encounter and headed over there. I love walking under the sharks swimming around right over our heads! It is thrilling to see them up close and personal. Much better than swimming with them any day. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]
 
 
I’m backtracking a little bit. I posted earlier that I couldn’t find a few pictures. Well, guess what? I found them. Here are some that I had “misplaced.”
 
Our day was drawing to an end, and we had seen just about everything we wanted to see. So, we headed over to Journey to Atlantis so Victoria and I could ride it.
We pulled out our bright yellow Disney ponchos and took off. There was no line whatsoever. There were enough of us so it looked like our boat was full. The employee called us the banana boat. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] Now, I expected the big drop. I just didn’t realize it was the very first thing we did. But, I was prepared and didn’t get wet at all. We make our way through a maze and are cursed for visiting Atlantis and then…another drop!!! No way! With all the winding around in the maze, my hood had come off my head. So, I got a little wet with the second drop. Then, to top all of that, there is a mini rollercoaster on the end of it. What fun! That was a great ride. Everyone on the boat, except for me, decided to ride again. The employee taunted me for being a party pooper. But, I did not let that stop me from getting out of the boat. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] It was a great ride, but it was too chilly outside to risk getting soaked by riding it again. Victoria rode by herself and we soon left Atlantis to make our way towards the front of the park.
Up Next: Shamu!
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11-28-2006, 01:18 PM
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#97
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RED SOX NATION!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Day 1, Part 4, updated 11/28
Another great update with great pictures [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]
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11-28-2006, 01:19 PM
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#98
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Community Rank: Legend Extraordinaire
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Ohio Football Hall Of Fame
Posts: 42,304
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Day 1, Part 4, updated 11/28
Another wonderful update!! Your photos are just beautiful!!! Can't wait for more!!!!
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11-28-2006, 02:19 PM
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#99
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PassPorter Message Board Manager
PassPorter Guide Author
Community Rank: Legend VIP
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Day 1, Part 4, updated 11/28
What wonderful photos and what a great day at Sea World! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]
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11-28-2006, 09:16 PM
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#100
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Go Red Sox!! :D
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Rhode Island - Red Sox Nation
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 27,451
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Day 1, Part 4, updated 11/28
Just catching up!! We're hoping to get out to California in 2007. I was thinking we would skip SeaWorld, but after reading you TR I'm going to do our best to head over there!!
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11-28-2006, 09:41 PM
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#101
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Community Rank: Explorer 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 7,386
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Day 1, Part 4, updated 11/28
This update and your photos brought back so many memories from our July trip. I can't wait to read about your experience with Shamu.
Joy
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11-29-2006, 09:55 AM
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#102
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Community Rank: Jetsetter
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Arlington,Texas USA
Posts: 2,555
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Day 1, Part 4, updated 11/28
Great photos -- can'twait for more.
tenya
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11-29-2006, 12:25 PM
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#103
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New York
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 7,960
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Day 1, Part 4, updated 11/28
Great update! I saw RL Stine's Haunted Lighthouse at Busch Gardens in Tampa. Didn't know it was playing at Sea World, too. Can't wait to hear about Shamu!
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11-29-2006, 12:35 PM
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#104
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Community Rank: Scout
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Songtan, South Korea
Posts: 4,681
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Day 1, Part 5, updated 11/29
<font color="blue">
<u>Day 1 - October 30, 2006 – Part 5</u>
It was about 4:00 p.m., by now and the Shamu show started at 4:30, so me made our way to the front of the park. Believe is the new Shamu show, and it was so wonderful to see. We had fantastic seats. Here are the pictures.
 
 
Shamu did his infamous splashes, and thank goodness we weren't in the soak zone. It was way too chilly for that. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]
 
 
Shamu was the perfect way to end our day at Sea World. The park closed after this last showing of Shamu, and we were beginning to get hungry since lunch certainly didn’t do anything for us. We left Sea World, and I got out my trusty directions to our dinner spot…the Corvette Diner. I had read great reviews about this place and was really excited about trying it out. We followed the directions and found it in downtown San Diego without a hitch. Michael dropped us off and went to find a place to park. I think it cost him $3. Not too bad at all! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] The diner was just too cute. The waitresses were dressed with a 50’s flair.
We were seated and given our menus and told our waitress would be around soon. We were perusing our menus when all of a sudden, straws were whizzing over our heads onto our table. I think Maxine was about to get upset when I burst out laughing. I had to make her realize it was all in fun. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] It reminded me so much of WCC. Our waitress was CatWoman. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] She was terrific. Here is the restaurant from our seat.
 
We ordered our drinks and continued to look over the menu. We all got burgers. I took great notes on what we all ordered, and I can’t find them anywhere. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] Sorry about that. I know that the burgers were ginormous with a bazillion fries! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] I think I made it through half of my burger and a fifth of my fries. There was a ton of food! CatWoman was kind enough to take our photo. By the way, the food on the table is AFTER we had already eaten.
I made sure to let CatWoman know that we were celebrating our DD’s 12th birthday all the way from VA. I then asked if we could get a picture of her. She said she would be right back. Well, CatWoman came back, and this is what ensued. CatWoman proceeded to “fix” Victoria’s hair with straws. It was so funny. Victoria laughed and giggled. It was so cute.
 
The finished product with CatWoman.
 
One cool thing about the diner is that they have a live DJ. He was taking requests for songs. Victoria knew exactly what she wanted to hear. She requested “One-Eyed, One-Horned Flying Purple People Eater.” [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] Being the day before Halloween, he gladly obliged and dedicated it to Victoria who was celebrating her 12th birthday! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] She was tickled pink. We also got to hear “Monster Mash.” You just gotta love that song! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
CatWoman brought us to go boxes and then brought out a piece of cheesecake with a candle for Victoria’s birthday. They all sang happy birthday to Victoria,
and Victoria blew out her candle.
Victoria doesn’t like cheesecake. What a shame that Michael and I had to eat it for her. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
When CatWoman brought us our bill, she tossed a ton of Bazooka Bubble Gum on the table. How [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]! Then, “Wooly Bully” came on and all of the waitresses got together on the floor and danced with their trays. It was so much fun to watch. They all seem to really enjoy their jobs and have fun.
It was time to leave the wonderful Corvette Diner. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img] We really enjoyed our dinner here and would recommend it to anyone!
One more shot with the beautiful corvette and a lovely hairdo.
Here are some outdoor shots.
 
Michael got the car, and we left San Diego. We knew we would be back in a few days to visit the zoo, so we weren’t too sad. The ride home was uneventful, and we were back at the hotel in about 90 minutes.
Since we knew we would be eating at DTD while we were there, and we had been told the walk to Disney was a piece of cake from our hotel, Michael and I decided to set out and see just how easy it was. Keep in mind, Maxine needed a wheelchair to get around because she couldn’t walk too far. We wanted to know what was in store since there was no wheelchair at the hotel for us to borrow. And we wanted to decide whether or not Maxine could make the walk.
While Maxine and Victoria were showering and getting ready for bed, Michael and I set out for our first glimpse of Disney. (Ulterior motive?) [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Once we walked under the archway into Disney, we knew Maxine would not be able to walk it. There was still a bit of a walk to the park entrances. I [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] loved [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] what I saw when we approached the entrances. The California sign was just too cool in all of its candy corn glory. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img]
We decided to keep walking to find out where Rainforest Café was since we would be eating there. Little did we know that it was all the way at the far end of DTD. We knew we would have to ask for directions on how to get there in our car. There was no way Maxine could walk it.
We took our time strolling and taking in the sights, but knew we needed to head back to the hotel. This is the Candy Cane Inn.
This came out a little blurry, but it is still pretty.
It had been a long, wonderful first day in California. Now it was time to go to bed and dream about our first day at Disney tomorrow. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] I think we were all just too happy. We went to bed with smiles on our faces.
The best thing today was Sea World.
The worst thing today was lunch at Sea World. Yuck!
The funniest thing today was Victoria’s new hairdo!
Today we tried the Corvette Diner!
And the result was we all loved it! Highly recommended!
The most magical moment today was two things. 1. CatWoman’s attentiveness and making Victoria feel so special on her birthday trip! 2. Seeing Maxine's face as she watched the animals at Sea World. She loved every minute of it.
Up Next: Disneyland and California Adventure!!!!!!!!!
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11-29-2006, 03:16 PM
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#105
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Community Rank: Legend 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 18,767
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Day 1, Part 5, updated 11/29
Just getting caught up Laura! What a great day at Sea World. Awesome pictures!! Looking forward to hearing all about DL and DCA. Makes me more excited about my trip in Feb.
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