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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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01-09-2006, 03:57 PM
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#121
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Club Ichthyologist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Merrimack, NH
Concierge Level: 5
Posts: 2,566
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Re: The \"Unexpected Excuse for a Holiday Trip\" Trip - Pre-trip 12/5
[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] the report!!!!!! The picture of the Mad Hatter is kind of creepy [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]
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01-09-2006, 04:41 PM
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#122
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RED SOX NATION!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854
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Re: The \"Unexpected Excuse for a Holiday Trip\" Trip - Pre-trip 12/5
Day 2 Part 2........Here come the rains
The resort monorail was packed. We squished in for our quick trip to the MK. Finally thru the gates, it had to be close to 11:30 by now, and the clouds were looking threatening. First up was to get a FP for Buzz, and then we headed over to the raceway. This is the kids favorite ride now, and was mine when I was younger as well! Lucky for Colin that we had snagged a green car (his favorite color). The only problem was it was a very slow car. He had a good time anyway.
  
Next up was the TTA, another one of my favorites [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] By this time, our FP time had arrived at BL, so we headed over that way. I ended up with about 30,000 points. Pathetic, I know, but actually one of my better shots!
That done, as we exited it started to rain. I don’t mean drizzle rain, I mean downpour rain.
We headed to the Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station, in search of dry surroundings, and our tummies were getting hungry. It had been 3 hours since we’d eaten. Matt got a chicken noodle bowl, and I got some potstickers for the kids. That with drinks, came to $15.09. We also munched on the gingerbread shingle!
We dawned our ponches, stuck the kids back into the strollers and headed to Fantasyland. I figured since it was pouring now, the park would empty out [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] Apparently not [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] It just forced everyone to the inside attractions. We got a FP for Peter Pan, and headed inside to Mickey’s Philharmagic. Alexa always whines about seeing this, but I think she just forgets what it is, because she had a great time inside. With that done, we crossed the way and headed inside to it’s a small world. The line was quite long, probably close to 20 minutes. But hey, we were covered and not getting wet! After having the song engrained in our heads, it was time for our FP for Peter Pan. Good thing we got a FP, since the standby line was now saying 60 minutes [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] After our flight over London, we decided to call it a day. It was still raining, and it was raw outside.
We made our way out of the park and headed to the busses. It wasn’t long before a bus pulled up, and we were soon back at the Lodge. We arrived at the room, and saw that our animals had a great time while we were away [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
  
Of course, the kids wanted to go into the pool. I think by now it had stopped raining, but it certainly wasn’t warm [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] Matt had bought the kids shorty wet suits just for this trip, because last year it was cold, and poor Colin would only last 10 minutes in the pool. With wet suits donned, we headed to the pool, and can you believe it, we had it all to ourselves [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] I guess when you’re from New England, 57 degree weather is not too cold to go swimming. Of course, I made Matt go in with them, as there was no way that I was going in the water.
  
Not another sole in sight…….and steam coming from the pool
Continued in next post...........
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01-09-2006, 04:54 PM
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#123
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RED SOX NATION!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854
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Re: The \"Unexpected Excuse for a Holiday Trip\" Trip - Pre-trip 12/5
..........continued from previous post
Colin had had enough, he was frozen to the bone. I took him up to the room for a nice warm bath, while Alexa kept on going. Here’s a shot of her on top of the slide that I took from our room!
She didn’t last too much longer, and soon her and Matt were both back in the room for their warm baths. Colin needed a nap, but Matt amazingly didn’t need one today [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] . I snapped some pictures of our view, and then cozied up on the bed to read the Sunday paper. Too funny, because Matt came across in the New York Times business section, a story about a little instrument shop in Connecticut that makes ukuleles. That’s our neighbors, they live right at the end of the road. Too funny that we were reading a story about them while in Florida, because we don’t usually get the NY Times at home! Matt then headed out with Alexa to do some exploring, while I stayed back with Colin, updated my Passporter, and took some pictures of our view.
 
Matt took Alexa to the lobby, where the CMs were having an ornament decorating area. For $4, you got a Wildlife Conservation pin, and you got to make a paper ornament for your tree, and decorate it. Alexa got into this a few times, as I think we came home with 3 or 4 of them from the entire trip. That done, they headed to Zawadi Marketplace and filled up a bag with rocks. She also picked up another stuffed animal [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] and at least remembered to get Colin one as well (a giraffe [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] )! They came back, we woke up Colin, and got ready to head out.
Tonight was MGM night. We had decided to bypass the Fantasmic dining package this time, and take our chances by just walking in. Tonight was also EMH night at MGM, and they were having a second showing of Fantasmic. So we decided it would probably be better to see the second showing, as we’d have a better chance of not having to wait as long, and getting a good seat. We didn’t head down to the bus stop until just after 6, and after a big crowd at the gate at MGM, we finally got into the park by 6:45. We got our wristbands for EMH (I’m impressed how much better they are screening people for wristbands – we even had to show the kids resort IDs) and headed off in search of food. We weren’t really hungry, but just wanted something to munch on. We headed to Anaheim Produce on Sunset, and got a pretzel, a bottle of water, and some fresh fruit. Matt headed over to RnRC to see if he could get us some FPs, but they were all gone for the day. I guess we’d have to take our chances when we came back after Fantasmic.
I was a little nervous what the crowds would be like, as when we did MGM EMH night in April, it was packed [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] Since the first showing of Fantasmic would be starting in half an hour, we decided to head over to the Osborne Lights. It wasn’t too crowded, and Alexa had fun trying to catch the “snow”.
       
We wandered around, taking in all the lights. They had moved the manger to the opposite side this year, and relocated the Christmas Tree “lot”. Unfortunately, the guy wasn’t there doing his “skit” like we saw last year. It was now getting close to the next showing of Fantasmic, so we headed back to Sunset. This was our first time taking the long walk thru the main entrance, as we’ve always done the package in the past. We were able to get a seat right in the center section, about 10 rows up from the front. It was a great show as usual.
We headed out of the theater (along with everyone else) and headed to RnRC. There wasn’t a line at all [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] Matt went first, and I stayed with the kids as they played in the courtyard. Alexa’s big thing this trip was to see if she was tall enough to ride the thrill rides, and had to constantly measure herself. Well, she wasn’t for this one, but that didn’t stop her from going up to the height gage again, and again, and again (maybe I’ve grown since the last time Mom [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/foreheadslap.gif[/img] )! The crowd started to pick up a bit as well, so I started getting nervous that my wait time would start increasing. There was a CM stationed near the FP entrance, even though they weren’t giving out FPs, so I kinda played dumb and asked her if there was baby swap available at this attraction. She said yes, explained what it was, and got me a FP to use [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] Matt came out about 5 minutes later, and it was my turn. In the end, I didn’t really need the FP, as the line was still pretty short. Lucky for me that they didn’t collect it either, so I could use it later in the week. I was in and out within 10 minutes. Quite a bit different from the April crowds. While I was inside, Matt had taken the kids over to Rosie’s for some chicken nuggets and fries.
By this time, it was approaching 10, and we were all getting tired. We made our way to the bus stop, had a nice bus waiting for us, and were soon back at the Lodge and putting our heads to the pillow. Tomorrow was our shopping morning at DTD, so we could take our time in the morning. Matt headed down to the front desk, because since we hadn’t received our Welcome packet when we checked in, we didn’t have a car parking pass, and we’d need that tomorrow since we were taking the car to DTD.
Coming up next: Shopping, more shopping, and back to MGM
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01-09-2006, 05:19 PM
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#124
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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: The \"Unexpected Excuse for a Holiday Trip\" Trip - Pre-trip 12/5
Fantastic update Marnie and your pictures are really cute!!Can't wait to read more!!!!
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01-09-2006, 06:44 PM
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#125
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Community Rank: Explorer 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 9,619
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Re: The \"Unexpected Excuse for a Holiday Trip\" Trip - Pre-trip 12/5
Love your pictures esp the pool [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] waiting for some more-
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01-09-2006, 06:50 PM
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#126
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The Original BagMan
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Shalimar, FL
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 22,002
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Re: The \"Unexpected Excuse for a Holiday Trip\" Trip - Pre-trip 12/5
[b] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] the updates and photos Marnie!!
More Please???
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01-09-2006, 07:20 PM
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#127
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Community Rank: Jetsetter 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Wishing I was at WDW
Posts: 2,384
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Re: The \"Unexpected Excuse for a Holiday Trip\" Trip - Pre-trip 12/5
Wow--that pool is gorgeous! Great view from your room, too!
Cindy
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01-09-2006, 07:39 PM
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#128
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Community Rank: Trailblazer 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 5,668
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Re: The \"Unexpected Excuse for a Holiday Trip\" Trip - Pre-trip 12/5
What a wonderful update with great pics! It always amazes me when kids go swimming in 50 degree weather! Matt was the brave one since he didn't have the wet suit though. Can't wait for the next update. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
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01-09-2006, 07:41 PM
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#129
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Community Rank: Globetrotter 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Bethlehem,Ct 06751
Posts: 3,918
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Re: The \"Unexpected Excuse for a Holiday Trip\" Trip - Pre-trip 12/5
Great,as usual, Marnie! Looking forward to more!
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01-09-2006, 09:28 PM
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#130
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Community Rank: Legend 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Newtown Square, PA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 23,859
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Re: The \"Unexpected Excuse for a Holiday Trip\" Trip - Pre-trip 12/5
MArnie, I loved your updates and beautiful photos! I [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] Law and Order and would have totally recognized Vincent D'Onofrio! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] How cool! I especially love the pool pics! Kids! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
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01-09-2006, 10:04 PM
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#131
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Community Rank: Trailblazer
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Chicago Illinois
Posts: 5,421
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Re: The \"Unexpected Excuse for a Holiday Trip\" Trip - Pre-trip 12/5
Great update & pics! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
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01-09-2006, 11:39 PM
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#132
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,547
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Re: The \"Unexpected Excuse for a Holiday Trip\" Trip - Pre-trip 12/5
Great updates! The kids are adorable, and boy do they love to swim. Anyone willing to go swimming when it's 57 derees out must really, realy love to swim! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] Looking forward to more!
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01-10-2006, 12:05 AM
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#133
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Dopey's biggest fan!
Join Date: May 2004
Location: China Spring, TX
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 26,975
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Re: The \"Unexpected Excuse for a Holiday Trip\" Trip - Pre-trip 12/5
All caught up now, Marnie! Your report is great so far!!!
How cool that you saw Vincent D'Onofrio!!!! I wouldn't have freaked out and followed him around, but I definitely would have yelled something to Mike like "That was Private Pyle!!!" (Vincent's character in the movie "Full Metal Jacket"!) [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]
I can't believe how big the kids are getting . . . and they are cute as ever!
More please! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]
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01-10-2006, 02:27 AM
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#134
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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: The \"Unexpected Excuse for a Holiday Trip\" Trip - Pre-trip 12/5
More great updates Marnie. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] I love the photo of Alexa on the slide that you took from the room - that's so cool! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] And your Osborne lights photos are superb. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]
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01-10-2006, 02:05 PM
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#135
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Community Rank: Scout 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Lafayette, LA & BCV
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 4,751
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Re: The \"Unexpected Excuse for a Holiday Trip\" Trip - Pre-trip 12/5
Great update and pictures Marnie!
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