Live Trip Report From WDW 2/2 - 2/9 - Page 7 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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We hopped on the monorail and then went to the TTC, where we decided to brave the wind, and walk to the Poly. Mom had never seen the grounds, and she wanted to get an idea of them, because next year we are DEFINITELY staying on the monorail line, and we aren't sure which one yet (we THINK the Poly, butttttttt that changes every time we see the CR's MK view or the GF's beauty... we are so fickle).
P.S. we stayed at the Poly last November and we it!! So much so that it was hard for me to try a new resort this time. (But we are now so excited about the BC). There is nothing like the grounds at the Poly and watching wishes from the beach with an exotic frozen bev. Gotta love it. We will definitely be back to the Poly.
Phew! What a day so far! We went to DHS, and immediately hit the Great Movie Ride. DD enjoyed it, except she hated the Wicked Witch part. I knew she'd freak out if she saw the aliens, too, so I distracted her thoroughly (which is hard work) so she wouldn't see them. Fun ride though, if cheesy, lol!
Then we went to the Playhouse Disney show, which DD just loved! It was a really cute show, and DD really got into it because she watches all of those shows.
Then we went outside to meet Handy Manny, and DD was in heaven! She just loves him. I wish he'd had his tools, because she LOVES them, lol. But that's ok! She was thrilled in any case.
After that, we headed to TSMM. My friend that we were with today has a medical pass due to a severe heart condition, so we got to hop in the fastpass line. Well, just as we got on that line I realized I didn't have my camera! I had left it in the bathroom over by Playhouse Disney! GASP! I left them in line and I ran like the wind back to the bathroom, where I panicked when it wasn't where I'd left it (hanging on the hook in the stall). Fortunately a wonderful lady had it in her hand and asked me if it was mine. I could have cried I was so happy!
I ran back to TSMM, and decided to see if I could catch mom, Jess and DD. Amazingly, the CM's let me back in the fastpass line to catch up with my group! The people in line all shifted over to let me in, without a single grouse (that I could hear, lol). And wonder of wonders, I found them just before they were boarding the ride! I couldn't believe it! I really lucked out, I have to tell you!
TSMM is definitely a VERY fun ride, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat if there was no wait, but I wouldn't stand in a long line for it. My score was 106,200 and my accuracy was 60%. DD loved the ride, though she didn't "get" it (as you can see by her score, below). She was fascinated by it anyway! Funny kid. It's fascinating to see things through her eyes.
We poked around the outside of the AI experience, but didn't stick around. We did see some of the auditioners, though. They were filming their various 'scenes' and interviews. Cute. Then I snapped some pix of DD in her AI shirt.
After that, we headed over towards Sci Fi, deciding to keep our ADR after all. It turns out there was a snafu with our ADR, and that it was for 1140am (I had made it for 1230pm, I swear it!)... anyway, so we were seated at around 1250pm, and that was fine. We had the first car all the way on the right side, and had the first two rows of the car. It was a lot of fun and the food was awesome! Mom and Jessica had burgers, and I had a chocolate shake (which was just ok) and the steak and lettuce wedge (with ranch instead of bleu cheese). We also shared onion rings (which were OUT OF THIS WORLD)!
Once we sufficiently stuffed ourselves, we headed out to get situated for the Block Party Bash. It's definitely a fun parade. We were seated in front of the Monsters Inc. float, which was a great place for us.
The parade was fun, and we enjoyed it, and then we headed out of the park (after pausing to give in to my desire and buy a castle play set for DD, and having it shipped back to the resort).
Now we're hanging out in the room until 530pm. DD and mom are both out cold, and both snoring, lol. No rest for me, though! Gotta upload all the pix to various sites (facebook, photobucket, kodakgallery) and email them to people, lol, as well as reply to a bunch of emails. Busy busy!
Tonight we're heading back to EPCOT for dinner with friends at Rose & Crown. Then we'll watch IllumiNations, and then, obviously, back to the room for bed!
Tomorrow is an "off day". Aside from meeting another friend for lunch (I used to live in Orlando so... lol), all we have planned is to explore the CR and the GF so we can make the final decision as to where we're staying next year!
I have to say, mom is having the time of her life. I'm so glad! She definitely has been enjoying herself and all of the magic around her.
But I have never in my life spent so much money on food! LOLLLLLLLLLLL! I'd hazard a guess that we're spending about $150 / day on food, if not more. I'd do the deluxe dining plan, but we aren't eligible for it because we don't buy park tickets and we book a room on a CM discount. Ah well! Can't complain. Ultimately I know I'm saving money, so I'm not really whining, honest, but I really WOULD love the DxDP! Of course, the food is out of this world, so I don't feel too bad about all of the ADR's.
Anyway... off to get everyone up so we can head to EPCOT! I am very excited to eat at the Rose & Crown! YUMMY YUMMY! And then to see IllumiNations! YAY!
Great update! Close call on the camera--glad it worked out ok. That'd freak me out too. It was fun seeing your pic from Sci-Fi--we're eating there in April.
Your daughter is absolutely beautiful! I love her hair and what a smile!
I am glad it is getting warmer there. Heck, I am glad it is getting warmer here.
Suzie
Sounds like a great day. Right about now you should be enjoying Illuminations! Can't wait to hear about Rose & Crown. The picture of your daughter hugging Tigger tight and Pooh and Eeoyore looking sad is soo funny. It was as if they were saying what about us? And your daughter is absolutely gorgeous!
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Not long now....August 22-August 28, 2011. Fort Wilderness Cabins!
im loving the live updates its fun that our there right now very cool im going to try to do mine on my blackberry but the small screen gets annoying ill try to talk DF into taking his laptop.... Hope your having fun well i think you are hope dinner was good tonite and that you got to see illuminaitons ur DD is sucha cutie.... Your tr has me all excited now only 5 days
have a wonderfuly magical time
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