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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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03-30-2006, 11:59 PM
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#121
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Community Rank: Legend 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Dreaming of the Future
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 24,867
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Re: DisneyWHAT?? - oh, DisneyLAND - 3/16-20 - Day 2/part3- Updated 3/28
This report rocks!
Karen thanks to your putting Eileen in the sucker seat My mom wins the award of being the one to sit in that seat when we go in February! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] I'm so mean!
More please!
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03-31-2006, 01:24 AM
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#122
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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: DisneyWHAT?? - oh, DisneyLAND - 3/16-20 - Day 2/part3- Updated 3/28
Oh my goodness Karen, that installment was just hysterical! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] I really shouldn't have been reading it while eating breakfast - I nearly had a couple of nasty accidents. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]
More please! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]
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03-31-2006, 02:31 PM
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#123
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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: DisneyWHAT?? - oh, DisneyLAND - 3/16-20 - Day 2/part3- Updated 3/28
Excellent update, Karen! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] It sounds like you all had so much fun together! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] Can't wait for more!
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04-01-2006, 10:31 AM
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#124
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Community Rank: Globetrotter 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 3,536
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Re: DisneyWHAT?? - oh, DisneyLAND - 3/16-20 - Day 2/part3- Updated 3/28
Karen you are too funny!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img]
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04-01-2006, 03:50 PM
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#125
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Eileeeeeeen!™
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 28,861
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Re: DisneyWHAT?? - oh, DisneyLAND - 3/16-20 - Day 2/part3- Updated 3/28
It's raining in Philadelphia today, so I'm finally able to pull myself away from the mulch pile and write another update.
Check back in a minute!
Eileen
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04-01-2006, 04:52 PM
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#126
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Recovering VMK Addict!
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Thornton, CO
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 13,087
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Re: DisneyWHAT?? - oh, DisneyLAND - 3/16-20 - Day 2/part3- Updated 3/28
[ QUOTE ]
It's raining in Philadelphia today, so I'm finally able to pull myself away from the mulch pile and write another update.
Check back in a minute!
Eileen
[/ QUOTE ]
[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img]
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04-01-2006, 05:47 PM
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#127
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Eileeeeeeen!™
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 28,861
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Re: DisneyWHAT?? - oh, DisneyLAND - 3/16-20 - Day 2/part4- Updated 4/1
<font color="blue"> I knew that Calder wanted to climb around on Tom Sawyer’s Island, but I was starting to flag a little – the flight and weird hours were making me physically tired. I wanted nothing more than to sit for a bit, so Karen gamely took the boys across the water on the raft.
[That's Karen with her back to me on the left side of the raft]
I sat on a wall near this anchor - not sure why I documented it, but I did [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
It was nice and sunny when I first sat down, but the clouds started to roll in. After a bit, I felt a few raindrops. No worries, I don’t mind getting wet and it was lovely to just sit there and watch the Mark Twain chug its way around the island.
 
[Notice how the sky is darkening by the boat's second pass around the island!]
As I sat there, occasionally chatting with passers-by and having people admire the pins on my touring bag, watching the boats and the people, smelling the smells of food from New Orleans Square and hearing the music, I realized just how peaceful and happy I was to sit there. I had a big wave of joy wash over me and I thought that Disney had the magic to do that for me in a way that no other place on earth could do! I almost started crying, but I was too happy.
When the spritzing rain became a more constant drizzle, it couldn’t dampen my spirits. I saw Karen go running around the front of the shack on TSI, obviously looking for the boys. She looped around a corner and I didn’t see her again. (I found out later that they were playing a game of hide-and-seek – or maybe it should be termed “try to scare the crud out of Karen”…)
After about half an hour, I realized that the drizzle had soaked my pullover enough that I felt it was time to pull out a poncho. Good thing too because, as soon as I had that over my head, the skies opened up completely. I pulled my bag and one I was holding for Karen under the poncho and I continued to sit there, feeling happy. (Again I say, where else in the world, could a person be happy to sit in a cold rain and watch people dodging puddles?!)
My group rejoined me and wanted ponchos too so Karen and I pulled out our supplies and everyone got under cover. The parks weren’t thinning out much, but we were fine with the rain too, so we headed over to Tomorrowland to use our FPs for Buzz.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Disneyland is not strict about the “closing” of the FP window – if you arrive after it has expired, no problem!! Phew… We hopped through the entrance, which was very different from WDW and which I would’ve loved to explore more, but we were gunning through the area and into our vehicles lickety split. I had read about the different blasters, but was excited to see them first-hand. These things rock! Not only are they free-standing (meaning they aren’t bolted to the vehicle and you can pick them up and aim a lot more intuitively), but they have a light on the back that indicates if you’ve made a hit. The other cool thing is that there are people playing on-line too (more info here ) and they can make some of the targets worth more points (they flash to let you know they are activated.) The thing that Calder noticed is that it runs on a flat path – you don’t climb as you go -- like you do in WDW. Now that I think about it, this explains for me why we didn’t have so much trouble controlling the spin of the vehicle – a constant complaint of mine at WDW. We both did extremely well and I was thrilled that the ride photo not only shows your scores, but is e-mailable. While Karen gathered the kids, I emailed our photos. (The sad thing is that neither of them have showed up, so I’m guessing their system was having technical glitches that day.)
We stepped into the gift shop, which is shared with Space Mountain (right, Karen?), and there was tons of Star Wars merchandise too. Calder and Zack made a bee-line and I started man-handling the collectible figures bags to see if I could snag a Mickey (as Luke) and Minnie (as Leia). I partially succeeded – the pack had Mickey/Luke, an X-wing fighter, and C3PO.
By now, Zack and I were starving and, despite the sheets of rain pouring down, we dashed across a courtyard into Pizza Port. Calder wasn’t hungry (and, as I said, I don’t insist he eat since it just means wasted food) and didn’t even want to share a kids ravioli. <shrug> I bought the ravioli anyway for us to share and then a small side salad, hoping to change his mind. He was excited to see the goodies at the checkout line, so – in addition to the chocolate milk I bought for him – he got a star-shaped rice crispy treat. ( [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] He’s healthy and very fit, I assure you!) As it turns out, I adored the ravioli and the kid’s portion was just the perfect amount for me. I had forgotten to get salad dressing so I just used some of the marinara sauce on it and it was tasty. I don’t remember why, but we were giggling a lot during this meal – I think we were all just so happy to be there, rain and all…
And… it was still raining pretty hard when we were done our meal. Karen’s sneakers hadn’t had a chance to dry out since our log ride that morning and were now showing signs of trouble – the bottom sheet of rubber was disconnecting from the shoe so she had to walk a little carefully.
The kids seemed to need a break from the park, so Karen suggested we take the monorail (which has a stop right in Tomorrowland) into Downtown Disney. As soon as Zack explained that it stops right in front of the Lego store, Calder was IN! We only had to wait one cycle before our monorail showed up. (We spent our waiting time peaking through the barrier into the new Nemo area that's replacing the 20,000 Leagues ride. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] )
Now, if the only monorail you have ever ridden is the WDW one, the Disneyland one is an exercise in scale. It’s so much smaller! I had to duck to get in (which is shocking since I’m not a very tall person) You cannot stand and it’s all bench-style seating. Calder, Zack and Karen had found seats, but there didn’t seem to be anything else in the car for me so I started peeking around in other cars – nothing. Karen popped up and told me to sit in her seat and she would squoosh in at another spot. I took her up on the offer and sat down and she found a spot to perch with her back to us.
I looked down at my smiling, slightly damp son who was squeezed up against me and had a shock. He has the start of little whiskers at the corners of his mouth! He’s 10. How can this be?! (Actually, the guys of the Lloyd stock are rather advanced in the hormonal maturity timeline… so I’m not that surprised now that I think back on it. But, there… in Disneyland… I was rocked off my feet.) I said something to him and he started to try to feel them. Zack noticed this and started asking questions. I explained and then began teasing Calder that he takes after me… whiskers and all. Calder then promptly announced to the ENTIRE car that he wasn’t going to pluck his whiskers like I have to do with mine. Then Zack joins in to say that I should wax my whiskers…
[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/foreheadslap.gif[/img] Never work with kids or animals, folks. They’ll always upstage you!
Karen gave me some funny looks as we got off… [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]
Looming ahead of us were two giant red 2x4 bricks – Calder went running for them:
Karen and Zack had given him a generous gift card for his birthday and it was burning a hole in his pocket – he had to spend it! I wandered around and took pictures of the large models.
After the Lego frenzy, the boys wanted to build. It had stopped raining and the sun was peeking out, so Karen and I found a bench to sit on. We gabbed while the boys built their stuff.
Then it was on to World of Disney – ooooh, I just love this store, no matter which state it’s in!! I had seen a frame that I’d refrained from buying until I was at WOD, so I was on a mission to find it. I found that, some tiaras for the ladies to wear to our Princess meal for my “40th” Grand Gathering, a Disneyland charm for my bracelet, some coloring books and a 50th HCOE rubber bracelet for Calder’s collection. I was just shy of the $50 needed to get a 10% discount with my Disney Visa, so I just HAD to throw in an Easter egg antenna topper.
With all of our shopping done, we were all quite tired and in need of a rest – us to our room and Karen and Zack off to check into their new hotel. As we walked through the parking lot to Karen's car, she stepped in a puddle and the bottom of her sneaker came completely off! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] It made things a little slippery!
[Up Next: Karen gets her “mean” on…” ] </font> |
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04-01-2006, 05:57 PM
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#128
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Philadelphia suburbs, PA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 5,262
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Re: DisneyWHAT?? - oh, DisneyLAND - 3/16-20 - Day 2/part4- Updated 4/1
Another great installment! Thanks Eileen.
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04-01-2006, 07:49 PM
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#129
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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: DisneyWHAT?? - oh, DisneyLAND - 3/16-20 - Day 2/part4- Updated 4/1
Fantastic update Eileen!!! You guys are really having a super time!!! Can't wait to read more, this is great stuff!!!!
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04-01-2006, 08:49 PM
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#130
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RED SOX NATION!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854
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Re: DisneyWHAT?? - oh, DisneyLAND - 3/16-20 - Day 2/part4- Updated 4/1
Great update Eileen [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] Sorry it rained, but sounds like it didn't stop you! I wish WDW has a Lego giraffe like that, DS would be thrilled [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img]
More please [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
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04-01-2006, 10:04 PM
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#131
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Community Rank: Legend
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Dreaming of the Future
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 24,867
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Re: DisneyWHAT?? - oh, DisneyLAND - 3/16-20 - Day 2/part4- Updated 4/1
Another Fantasmic! Update Eileen! I love this report!
Sorry about Karen's shoe!
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04-01-2006, 11:20 PM
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#132
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Community Rank: Passenger 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 49
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Re: DisneyWHAT?? - oh, DisneyLAND - 3/16-20 - Day 2/part4- Updated 4/1
Ah! This is so great! Now I'll have to read from the beginning, 14 pages? Maybe tomorrow. What a great read! I love your style and the way you put photos in. I'm taking a notebook with me next time and jot down details so I don't forget. I'm inspired by your trip report. I can't wait for the next installment!
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04-02-2006, 03:43 AM
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#133
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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: DisneyWHAT?? - oh, DisneyLAND - 3/16-20 - Day 2/part4- Updated 4/1
Another great installment - and very interesting to hear about the differences between the monorails at WDW and DL. I'll be sure to look out for those. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]
I couldn't help but smile when I read about you enjoying just sitting there in the rain - it must be Disney magic that does that to you, because I've done that a few times as well in Florida. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
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04-02-2006, 10:34 AM
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#134
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Living Seas wannabe
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 31,940
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Re: DisneyWHAT?? - oh, DisneyLAND - 3/16-20 - Day 2/part4- Updated 4/1
Great update Eileen!!! That wisker scene was too funny!!!
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04-02-2006, 03:00 PM
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#135
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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: DisneyWHAT?? - oh, DisneyLAND - 3/16-20 - Day 2/part4- Updated 4/1
Another spectacular update Eileen!! I'm defintiely like you. I would be content sitting in the rain if I was in Disney too!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Keep it coming!
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