Saving the Magic (with Cam and Luke plus Morgan) COMPLETED - Page 80 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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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.
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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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Pluto is my favorite--now even more so! Love the watch--I'm going to have to look for one during my October trip. Thanks for the pix of the Swiss Family Treehouse & the Riverboat. In all my trips, I've never done either--will have to check those out next time. You are an amazing, strong woman, Cam!
__________________
First trip DW--Nov. 1975; Senior Class Trip DW--Oct. 1979; First trip w/kids--Oct. 1995; Halloween at DW--Oct. 2002; Spring Break at DW--April 2004; Christmas/Pop Warner Nationals-POR--Dec. 2005;Cruisin'--April 2008; Mom/Son trip-POP--March 2010;Taggin' along w/DD on DH's conference-BWI--Oct. 2011; 50th birthday with the Gartner Geeks--Adults only!--BWI--Oct. 2012; The Trip That Almost Wasn't--BWI--Oct. 2013; We climbed The Summit (National Cheer Competition)--ASMovies--May 2014
Love love love the Pluto interaction!! I can only imagine what a warm feeling that put in your heart. While Stefanie wasn't there in person, I have no doubt she was watching over you and a couple of those hugs were from her in disguise.
Your TR has brought smiles and tears but I am loving every minute of it. I am so glad this is turning out to be such an amazing trip, despite the emotional tolls on you and Luke. I love seeing how Stefanie is still touching hearts. What an amazing, amazing young woman.
All caught up. This trip is so full of emotions. Your daughter had so much love for Disney that everything must have reminded you of her. I hope that everywhere you went you felt her love and knew that she was with you.
Sorry you ended up running into so much rain at the MK. At least it looks like you were able to enjoy some time outside and got pictures of the tree house for your scrapbook. I'm so glad you got the interaction with Pluto that you did. Sounds absolutely sweet - I knew I liked that dog! I really hope the people who work in WDW realize how much their interactions can mean to others. They make so many of our vacations wonderful and it's those little moments - like the one you had with Pluto - that we all remember and look forward to on future trips.
This is why I love Disney so much, and why so many people who don't, will never understand why I do. Here you have a parent, an adult, who has lost their child, and all it takes is a wonderfully kind person dressed up like a Disney character to help put a smile on their face. That's Disney magic, pure and simple, and I'm so glad you were able to feel it during this emotional trip.
Okay, I missed the tissue warning, I was reading on my iPhone and it cut off the end part of the title. Thankfully, I had tissues nearby because they were very much needed.
Pluto is my DS's favorite character since he was 4yo. He is high-functioning autistic and we HAVE to see Pluto on every trip. If we don't he would leave devastated. In 2010, we went to CM's for his 7th birthday and I had ordered a cake with a hand-painted chocolate Pluto on top. The cake had fondant bones on the sides. Pluto was the one that brought the cake out to my son and spent about 15 minutes sitting at our table "talking" to my son about the cake and trying to eat the bones.
I'm so happy he was able to provide such comfort to make CM's still be a place you can enjoy. I know a lot of people would avoid places that were special to their loved ones. I find it wonderful that you are honoring Stefanie by going to the places she loved and remembering her there.
I love your new watch! And I love the pictures of Morgan with Bruce! Too cute!
Finally caught up! This has definitely been an emotional rollarcoaster for you all. I hope that it all helps in your healing. It really does seem like Morgan is having a great trip; such a lucky girl to have an aunt and uncle like you!
LOVE the photo of Morgan and Pluto, and I'm just so glad that they all gave you the love and compassion you needed so greatly! It sounds like it was a tough and wonderful experience all at once.
That is a good way to describe it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoJayMom
I am so thankful you received the love you did at Chef's Mickey - especially from Pluto <3 I just can't help but to believe that Stefanie is sprinkling pixie dust on you and Luke during the whole trip.
I was very thankful, too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcc0313
I am so glad Pluto was there with some extra special love when you needed it most. The pain is evident in your eyes even as you try to smile, sounds like Pluto knew just what you needed. How special to have the CM bring out the daughter pin...I definitely agree he had something to do about it.
Think Epcot was a wonderful evening choice...love how much Morgan enjoyed the Living Seas pavillion, there is just so much to see there.
Tons of hugs coming your way for you and Luke.
for the hugs! Epcot was a great choice for the evening.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sweets5
Thank you for the tissue warning. And, yes, I did need them!!
I wanted to say how sorry I am for your loss. I had not been on the site in a while and when I finally got around to logging in, the first thing I saw was the posts about Stefanie. My first reaction was, "No!!!" I could not believe it. Though I don't know you personally, I have read your TRs and have felt like a traveler along side your family. It was always wonderful to see The World through Stefanie's eyes!
That was the hardest part of this trip, not getting to see it through Stefanie's eyes. Somethings we could guess at, but Stefanie always surprised us with some of her insights.
Quote:
Originally Posted by queen2
needing tissues. Sorry Chef Mickey's was so sad for you.
Maybe it won't be as sad next time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mousestruck
Oh my goodness, I think I needed a whole box of tissues! I'm so glad you received such warmth and love at CM to get you through dinner. Pluto is awesome! (I will give him an extra hug from you when we go in November!) Love the Contemporary gift shops! We always spend at least an hour there, and never leave without something. Sweet watch, too! Enjoy it!!!
The Contemporary shops always have such a good selection of items.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tink and co.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NanaTink
Pluto is now one of my all-time favorites!!! What a special interaction. I'm still choked up. In fact Pluto is the first character that DGS2 loved on...he tried to bite his nose!
I know dinner at CM had to be hard. :group hug: I wish I could just hug your neck!!! Glad you found Ann, one of these days we won't miss each other by just a day!!!
One of these days we will be in the World at the same time again.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Disney Dream'n
Tissue or sleeve whatever gets the job done. Thanks for sharing such a personal journey with us. I'm drinking every word Cam.
You are sweet!
Quote:
Originally Posted by wishes
Pluto is my favorite--now even more so! Love the watch--I'm going to have to look for one during my October trip. Thanks for the pix of the Swiss Family Treehouse & the Riverboat. In all my trips, I've never done either--will have to check those out next time. You are an amazing, strong woman, Cam!
I don't feels so amazing or so strong, but I do keep getting up and moving forward.
Love love love the Pluto interaction!! I can only imagine what a warm feeling that put in your heart. While Stefanie wasn't there in person, I have no doubt she was watching over you and a couple of those hugs were from her in disguise.
Your TR has brought smiles and tears but I am loving every minute of it. I am so glad this is turning out to be such an amazing trip, despite the emotional tolls on you and Luke. I love seeing how Stefanie is still touching hearts. What an amazing, amazing young woman.
I knew you all would get my how wonderful the interaction with Pluto was for me. My DDad and my DMiL seemed to think there should have been more to it, but having one of Stefanie's favorite characters empathize with me was extremely helpful.
Quote:
Originally Posted by stardust190
All caught up. This trip is so full of emotions. Your daughter had so much love for Disney that everything must have reminded you of her. I hope that everywhere you went you felt her love and knew that she was with you.
Sorry you ended up running into so much rain at the MK. At least it looks like you were able to enjoy some time outside and got pictures of the tree house for your scrapbook. I'm so glad you got the interaction with Pluto that you did. Sounds absolutely sweet - I knew I liked that dog! I really hope the people who work in WDW realize how much their interactions can mean to others. They make so many of our vacations wonderful and it's those little moments - like the one you had with Pluto - that we all remember and look forward to on future trips.
It was so sweet! I will look forward to seeing Pluto again on our next annual trip home.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JKnott17
Thank you for the tissue warning. It was a bittersweet meal at Chef Mickey's, but I'm glad that Pluto was able to sprinkle some happiness on you!
Pluto made the meal less miserable for me for sure.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mpwife153
*sigh*
Quote:
Originally Posted by honeybee723
This is why I love Disney so much, and why so many people who don't, will never understand why I do. Here you have a parent, an adult, who has lost their child, and all it takes is a wonderfully kind person dressed up like a Disney character to help put a smile on their face. That's Disney magic, pure and simple, and I'm so glad you were able to feel it during this emotional trip.
You have summed it so well!
Quote:
Originally Posted by TuffyCO
Okay, I missed the tissue warning, I was reading on my iPhone and it cut off the end part of the title. Thankfully, I had tissues nearby because they were very much needed.
Pluto is my DS's favorite character since he was 4yo. He is high-functioning autistic and we HAVE to see Pluto on every trip. If we don't he would leave devastated. In 2010, we went to CM's for his 7th birthday and I had ordered a cake with a hand-painted chocolate Pluto on top. The cake had fondant bones on the sides. Pluto was the one that brought the cake out to my son and spent about 15 minutes sitting at our table "talking" to my son about the cake and trying to eat the bones.
I'm so happy he was able to provide such comfort to make CM's still be a place you can enjoy. I know a lot of people would avoid places that were special to their loved ones. I find it wonderful that you are honoring Stefanie by going to the places she loved and remembering her there.
I love your new watch! And I love the pictures of Morgan with Bruce! Too cute!
We will always go back to places Stefanie loved because they remind us of her.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OCEANGRLLG
Love the Pluto interaction at CM, WOW!!!! Love the watch!!
The character interaction was way more than I expected.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WishandDream
Finally caught up! This has definitely been an emotional rollarcoaster for you all. I hope that it all helps in your healing. It really does seem like Morgan is having a great trip; such a lucky girl to have an aunt and uncle like you!
The trip did help in our healing, though it was not easy on us at all.
Glad you posted the tissue warning. Would you mind posting a picture of the "Daughter" pin? I'm blessed to still have my DD with me, but I love the idea of celebrating her all the same.
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Wow. Your words are sometimes so hard to read and your photos so painful to look at and yet they are beautiful at the same time. Does that make sense? This whole TR is a tribute to Stefanie and such a powerful testament to love that binds your family together. I don't know if I'm allowed to say this on this board - but I feel like God was with you on this trip and everytime your aching peaked, He gave you a reminder that He and Stefanie were not far from you.
I can see just how tough some of those meet n greets are for you. Your grief is still so raw. It took so much courage for you to continue with your plans and take that trip. I hope although there were sad and emotional moments each one helped heal the hurt if even just a little. You are a brave woman, Cam!
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for the hugs! Epcot was a great choice for the evening.
Thanks for sharing such a personal journey with us. I'm drinking every word Cam.
Deb
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