”Really……you are ALL named Lisa???”……… - Page 9 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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.
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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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What a great breakfast! And I love the pics with Tink! I've never met her, and I can't wait to! Your pictures of all the topiaries are gorgeous! One day I'll make it down to see them! Can't wait to hear about the parade! Hurry back!
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Amanda =)
Living out a childhood dream during my summer 2015 trip to WDW. Is it time to go back yet?
“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them." –Walt Disney
After a quick stop at BWV to change shirts – grab new “matching” shirts and “freshen” up a bit……..and hey, it’s after 12:00, so had to make good use of those mugs and our nice ice cold adult beverages !!!
We started off to Animal Kingdom in plenty of time to get there, check where we needed to be, change into our matching shirts………..and be able to sit and enjoy an ice cold adult beverage!!! We stopped in at the Dawa Bar (it’s right next to Tusker House…….very nice little bar…….with plenty of shade and fans! The cast members here were very friendly ~ highly recommend stopping in for a quick drink ! I actually just told my DH that we should grab a seat there to watch the AK parade in July ~ unless of course, I am able to score getting DD in the parade !).
We each choose a drink to our liking……….myself, a margarita of course. Lisa #1 – a nice ice cold beer (I am starting to understand why so many people enjoy beer on a hot day!)…….and Lisa #3 ~ can’t remember what her drink was called – but it had a lot of rum and fruity stuff!
We then walked over to the area we were told to meet up with the rest of the folks that were lucky enough to join us in the parade that day (this was all about us, right?)! It was over next to the entrance to Kilimanjaro Safari’s.
Of course, we were told to suck down our drinks ~ as we were not allowed to bring them with us……..suck them down, we did!
Soon we were introduced to Lauren (I believe that was his name!) who had each group wait by the gate to be brought “backstage” and we were all told the rules (now………..Lisa #3 who each of you might believe was the “calm” one of the group ……..had been quite the rule breaker throughout this trip……so we were a bit nervous that she would continue her trek………..she did behave!!!) ~ such as we had to stow our belongings in a locker (we would be allowed to bring our cameras), NO pictures backstage!!!, no food or beverage on the float, and LOTS of smiles and FUN!!!!
At this point, we were still BEYOND excited and couldn’t believe we were going to be in the parade!!!!
Next we were brought backstage!!!
We were shown to the lockers, where we were able to stow our bags, cell phones, etc. Then each of us was given a safari vest (quite fashionable I must say!) and a safari hat, complete with Mickey ears (I was soooooooo hoping that they would let us keep those hats……no bueno ). We were then shown the water cooler! They really kept pushing everyone to make sure all were hydrated……….at that point I was more worried about drinking too much and having to ask our float to make a pit stop! That could have been interesting ! At this point they also shared with us that there would be photopass photographers positioned in specific areas to take our photos ~ and to make sure we SMILED! They also told us that we would receive a certificate at the end to be able to download these photos for our own personal use!!!
The one photo we were allowed to take "backstage"!
They brought each family/group to their respective floats just a few at a time………….we were realizing that we were near the end……….even more excitement as we realized that we would be near Mickey!!!
Finally it was our turn to go to our float………………..The Tiger! OMG! We were sitting on the Tiger Float of the Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade! We were like 3 GIANT kids on Christmas morning!!! Our driver was “Bird on a Tiger”! Right behind us was Timon and Terk and then Donald’s float!!!
I think every cast member who walked by knew who we were before we even started the parade (we had to make everyone happy, right?! ). I do have to say here that it was surreal being backstage, watching all the cast members prepare for the parade ~ and the excitement of each cast member when the characters would appear from where, I have no idea…..all of a sudden – they were just coming down the street, finding their respective spot for the parade! The dancers, the drivers, the characters – us – we were all ready to GO! And before we knew it, we were moving!!!!
Our photopass friends!!!
We were waving and dancing and smiling and having the time of our lives !!!! I can’t even describe the feeling we each got with waving to all those kids ~ and when they make eye contact with you and realize that you are waving to them ~ OMG! It was amazing to see those kids light up! (Even some adults!) We made sure that if we saw someone wearing a birthday/anniversary button we acknowledged them ~ it was actually quite emotional in a way – to those little kids, we were “part of the parade” and they enjoyed our silliness!
Saying that we had the most incredible time just doesn’t do it justice! We had so much FUN!!! It was truly a very magical experience – and to be able to share that with my girls………sigh…………oh, I just can’t even describe it! Sorry, rambling!!! We just still can’t even believe we were able to be part of the parade!
So after circling around Animal Kingdom on our Tiger Float, we were backstage again before we knew it…………and MANY cast members were commenting on how we were the BEST smiling, dancing, waving group they had seen! (I am sure they tell a lot of people that ~ but we will choose to believe that we were!! ) After disembarking the Tiger Float, it was time to retrieve our belongings……..and give up our beloved Safari vests and Mickey Safari hats. We sucked down some cups of water (did I mention that it was HOT???) and had to say good bye to our new cast member friends .
After our big parade debut we wandered over to It’s Tough to Be a Bug”, stopping for some photo ops along the trail.
We were in the show within 10 minutes or so. I don’t know why I torture myself with this show! And Lisa # 3 – I can’t even believe she goes in there ~ she’s afraid of a freakin' lady bug for Jiminy’s sake! I do have to say that if anyone could have taken a photo of her and I – huddled together, sitting on the edge of the bench….feet tucked under our butts…….(won’t spoil it for others who may not have seen the show!)…………I am surprised we came out of there without more bruises than we have already acquired this trip so far!
So now that our parade debut was over – and we got the “hebbie jeebies” in ITTBAB, we sadly left AK (knowing that we probably wouldn’t be back this trip) to head back to BWV ~ we have a date for Fantasmic tonight with Lisa #1’s family!
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Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
What a great start to your day at Epcot! Love all the pictures, and how great to meet up with Brent and Liz! And OMG, how cool to be in the parade at AK! What great pictures!
I absolutely love this picture! I'm sure that's exactly what I would have looked like--beyond excited! I'm so glad you had such a great time! I still can't believe you got to be in the parade. What a great memory! Can't wait for more!
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Amanda =)
Living out a childhood dream during my summer 2015 trip to WDW. Is it time to go back yet?
“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them." –Walt Disney
I absolutely love this picture! I'm sure that's exactly what I would have looked like--beyond excited! I'm so glad you had such a great time! I still can't believe you got to be in the parade. What a great memory! Can't wait for more!
Thanks! I actually just made this my profile pic on FB!!!! LOL!
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Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
Being part of the Parade HAD to be the highlight of the trip thank you so such for taking us along with you. Now I cant wait to get to AK and see it all for myself
After coming down from our “high” of being in the parade and finishing up Animal Kingdom, we sadly left there……….
Returned our car to BWV (just in case some adult beverages came into play this evening !) and we walked over to DHS! It was a beautiful walk! I had never done it before ~ and despite all the walking we had already done; it was actually very nice and relaxing, as we were about the only people walking that route!
Views from the Walkway:
Tower of Terror always has an ominous look to it!
We finally entered DHS, stopped for some photo pass photos (this is where I am wishing I would have waited to start the TR, the CD is on its way and I will add pics when it arrives!)
I have always wanted to just walk up to a CM and ask to hold all those balloons (I know - I am such a dork !!!)
We then headed straight to Animation Studios to see if any characters were still there……………….WOW! We hitthe Character jackpot!!!!
We saw…………
Mr. & Mrs. Incredible:
Jafar!
Mr. Smee~
Max & Goofy!
And Sorcerer Mickey!
After our FANTASTIC character interaction and autograph sessions, we decided to ride Great Movie Ride………..we basically walked right on! Hardly any wait at all!
By now, we were getting hungry for dinner ~ and it was almost time to meet up with Lisa #1’s family and get ready for Fantasmic! So we went down to Rosie’s & Catalina Eddie’s (right next door to each other) and Lisa #1 & I each had a burger, while Lisa # 3 had a wrap (Total for 3 CS meals was $37.46 ~ sorry didn’t really take a pic – we were hungry !!!).
While we were eating Lisa #1’s family finally caught up to us! Nicolas (Lisa #1’s nephew was excited to see all of us…..but a bit confused why none of the kids were with us!).
All the ladies!
It was getting close to Fantasmic time and we could see the mob of people going in – so we joined the mob and followed to find a seat! Lucky for us, Lisa #1’s mom was in a wheelchair – so we were able to have an escort to a seat!!! And we didn’t do too bad…….we sat pretty much in the center at the top of course (handicap section). We had a great view – and I knew it wouldn’t be too crazy getting out of there!
While waiting for Fantasmic ~ any of you who have been, you know that you have to get there at minimum one hour prior to the show ~ so there is a lot of time to kill! So how else would we kill time………..Adult beverages of course !!!
Lisa # 1 with her nephew and Lisa #3:
Show time!!!
Okay ~ so call us crazy!!! After Fantasmic – we separated from the family and decided to take advantage of EMH @ Epcot! We were on vacation without hubbies or children and had NO curfew and we were full of adrenaline – so off we went to Epcot via Boat from DHS!!!
We headed straight for Test Track (another first for Lisa #3 – it was too funny with her having no idea what to expect!!! She is such a chicken!!!).
(Again………missing the photopass photo here!)
Then we stopped in for a visit (with NO line!!!) at Epcot Character Spot to meet up with some friends!
Mickey:
Pluto:
Goofy:
Donald:
And Minnie:
We still had our FP’s for Soarin’ from earlier in the day – so we headed straight for that next! Got in right away (it was almost closing time!) and I had asked the CM if we could possibly wait for the center section, top row (as this was another first for Lisa #3) – and she (Fantastic CM!!) let us wait! I just LOVE great CM’s that understand that we would be patient and wait! That one is so worth waiting for that section!
We ended our night here……..as it was well after midnight now ~ and we have a VERY early ADR with Mickey in the am!
***Little side note here…….you have to picture it – as we didn’t not get this on camera! We were walking back to BWV from Epcot ~ and lets just say, it is not very well lit through Epcot at that hour…….and there was an encounter with a toad/frog (whatever it was!) ~
I came so close to stepping on the darn thing (with flip flops mind you!), I am talking maybe an inch or so – and the darn thing jumped and scared the you know what out of me !!!! And apparently ~ I don’t scream when these lovely creatures scare me (we have had a few of these encounters with bunnies, frogs, lizards along this trip!) BUT apparently I let out quite a “grunt” which in turn makes the other 2 laugh so hard, I am not quite sure how they were able to walk !!!!
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Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
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!).
……..had been quite the rule breaker throughout this trip……so we were a bit nervous that she would continue her trek………..she did behave!!!) ~ such as we had to stow our belongings in a locker (we would be allowed to bring our cameras), NO pictures backstage!!!, no food or beverage on the float, and LOTS of smiles and FUN!!!! 
). We were then shown the water cooler! They really kept pushing everyone to make sure all were hydrated……….at that point I was more worried about drinking too much and having to ask our float to make a pit stop! That could have been interesting 
friends!!!
look to it!
!!!)
the Character jackpot!!!!
!!!).
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