Cheaper by the Dozen – Lukas’ 1st Birthday Extravaganza! - Page 81 - 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.
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We go on to the joy and through the tears
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Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
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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.
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This morning Mike & I had the Marceline to Magic Kingdom tour at MK. We got up at 6:20am and made our way to the bus stop for an early arrival at MK. Our tour started at 8am and the park didn’t open until 9, so there was hardly anyone there except for those taking tours and having breakfast. We checked in at City Hall and were given name tags (I think it was just a sticker) and headsets. There were bottles of water and coffee to drink. Mike & I both took a nature break before the tour started. I also took the time to take pictures of the near empty park:
We then met our tour guide and the 2 other couples on the tour – a very nice little group. I must admit I don’t remember a whole lot about what was talked about on this tour. There’s so much information to absorb in such a short time. I know we walked a little down Main Street and our guide asked if anyone had ever been to Marceline. And of course, Mike & I had just been there in late May (I still need to finish that TR – maybe now would be a good time) and our guide asked if this is what it really looked like. Well of course not today, but I think you can definitely see similarities between the two. I was thinking this tour would be more along the lines of all from Marceline that inspired Walt and it was in a way, but it was more of a journey of Walt’s vision. There weren’t too many references to Marceline. Anyway, we walked down Main Street and stopped to talk about a few of the windows then made our way to the castle.
The crane was a bit of a disappoint, but what can you do. I think they were starting to put up the lights for Christmas.
The Disney family crest, which can be seen on both sides of the castle.
We walked through the castle and talked about the murals in there and how 2 names are in them as well as 2 of the footsmen are to represent 2 Imagineers (now the names escape me). Then we came upon the rope.
BUT, we got to go behind the rope. How cool! We stopped to talk about the Sword in the Stone and everyone got a chance to see if they’d be lucky enough to be King, but no such luck for us. We then discussed the ‘dark ride’ and rode Snow White as is. We were directed to pay very close attention to all that was going on in the ride. Then afterwards we got to do what does not happen – we rode it with the lights on. It was very different and you can see what simple techniques are done to make it more realistic. I won’t spoil any of it, but it’s really cool. We then headed to Winnie the Pooh since it’s an updated version of the ‘dark ride’ and to note the differences. Try this yourself sometime – before Snow White is gone.
Love this since NO ONE is in the background!
Hidden Mickey at Snow White.
An ode to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea on Pooh.
We had a short break and then continued to Tomorrowland where we got a chance to sit and listen to our guice talk about the development of Walt’s dreams/visions to WDW. We talked about TTA and then rode it. Here’s a nod to one of the original sponsors as they supplied the tires that used to be on the ride:
Next was CoP where we talked some more and then were supposed to experience the attraction, but they were having difficulties and we didn’t get a chance. We gave back our headsets and went on our respective ways.
The tour was a lot of fun and I’m glad we did it – I just wish I had a better memory or had taken better notes. It was rather affordable too at about $25/person. And it was nice to experience the park without so many people and learn some of the little things that went into the park.
Since it was early Mike & I decided to ride Space Mountain, then we grabbed some popcorn and a soda, had some PhotoPass pics taken and explored the shops along Main Street before heading back to AKL to see what everyone else was up to. I think Mike’s parents had gone to MK this morning as well – at least that’s what the PP pics are telling me, but I know they went the next morning for sure.
My parents along with Kevin & Becki had gone to the pool with the boys. We met them there then grabbed some lunch from the Mara and then got ready for the photo shoot at BW and Epcot. Go back to pages 52 & 54 to read about the photo shoot and see the pics again.
You have me interested in taking that tour now, it sounds very informative (even if you can't remember everything. ). It sounds like you and Mike got some nice alone time at MK that morning. Your photopass pictures together are really nice. And I love the popcorn bucket! I don't like popcorn though so I didn't even notice those when we were there, kind of wish I had now....oh well.
That tour sounds nice, and you can't beat the price. So great to be able to say you've been to Marceline! (Looking forward to the rest of that report!) It must have been nice to just roam the park a bit with just Mike.
Sounds like a great tour, and definitely a affordable price....love the pictures of an empty MK. Glad the rest of the family was enjoying some relaxing time at the resort.
Love all the pics of the nearly empty park. One of these trips I'll be able to get my group together for an early breakfast so we can see it like that too. The tour sounded really great too, what a great morning for you and your DH.
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I really love looking at all the wonderful photos you took-more please!! 
Susan
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
). It sounds like you and Mike got some nice alone time at MK that morning. Your photopass pictures together are really nice. And I love the popcorn bucket! I don't like popcorn though so I didn't even notice those when we were there, kind of wish I had now....oh well.
Great pics of an empty park! 
Liz 
"Sparky"(My first trip.)
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