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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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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I plan to do a complete Trip Report if my Dream trip, but until I get those pictures edited, I thought I would post a dining review of our trip for now.
I was lucky enough to set Sail on the Disney Dream on March 31 and then spend a few days at Disney and Sea World. This trip was like no other I have taken. I always look forward to food on my vacations….after all I am NOT cooking. For the most part, the food did NOT disappoint.
The trip was originally supposed to include Me~Jen,
DD~Claire,
and DH~Skip.
Sadly 2 weeks before we were to leave, Skip made the decision not to come. His brother had broken his leg and they run a Dairy Farm together. One of them needed to be there at all times and with his brother laid up, Skip needed to stay home.
So a change of cast was made.
My mom took Skips place on the cruise.
My dear Dad wanted to come along too, but the ship was at capacity. So he flew down with us, and then spent a few days at his sisters while we cruised, and then joined up with us for the later portion of the trip. He is making one of his “faces” for this picture. He does that for most pictures.
These dining thoughts are mine, and may not be the same opinions as others. I am not a big food snob in any way. I usually figure if I’m not cooking, it can’t be all that bad. Of course if I have to pay a hefty price tag for it, then I might grumble a bit more.
In years past, we have done the dining plan at Disney, but this trip we did not, so it was also a new experience at paying out of pocket for everything.
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We flew down to Sanford on March 30th. We arrived at the airport around 10:45 and got checked in at 11. Once through security we were all hungry. Claire and I went to the little food station and I got her a personal pizza (which I believe was a Marcos brand) and I got a foot long tuna sandwich from subway to share with my mom. Dad also got some sort of subway sandwich.. I ended up losing a SD card from my point and shoot camera and it has pictures from the first several days. I used 3 cameras through out the trip though, so I have most everything on the other cards.
Claire eating her pizza and Doritos.
Here is dad being silly opening his subway bag.
This food was basic and decent. Except Claire’s pizza….. She basically ate the pepperoni off and ate 1 piece. I ate a piece as well, and it was pretty comparable to cardboard. We ended up throwing about half of it away.
Our flight had been delayed so we didn’t get into Sanford till much later than planned. We quickly got our luggage and rental van and headed over to the Residence Inn near the Port. Everyone was starving, so I went in quickly and checked us in and then asked for a place to eat near by. They suggested Fish Lips.
We were seated right away and ordered.
It was a nice place, right on the water. We could see a Carnival ship in port across the way. Claire and I went outside to take a look. It was warm out, but very windy.
Claire and I made a trip out to the van for my phone and when we came back the food had arrived. I didn’t get pictures of much. Mom and I had the fish and chips with slaw. Mom loved it. I found it to be a bit too greasy about half way through. Mom traded her slaw to dad and took his asparagus. Dad got a steak. (I can’t remember which one). He said it was very good.
Claire got fries and a hotdog.
The desserts we saw pass by looked amazing, but we were too full to try any…. Even to share. The prices were reasonable, but not cheap. We did get 10% for staying at Residence Inn. It was a decent meal, but a little to greasy for my taste. I would go back, but try something different next time.
I don’t sleep much on vacation, so I was up very early. The Residence Inn serves a breakfast for free to guests. It was actually very good, with lots of selections. I went down very early and got breakfast number 1. I didn’t take pictures that time around. I had a chocolate muffin, OJ, sausage patty, eggs and potatoes. They also had cereals, other muffins, make your own waffles, yogurts, bagels, toast and fruits and a few other things.
Once the rest of the gang got up and ready, we headed down for breakfast again.
I just picked up a few more things to eat then as it had been a few hours since I first ate.
Claire went with an apple and sausage.
Dads’ plate
I can’t remember what I had the second time around, but I think it was sausage and potatoes. I also don’t remember what mom had. But we all were happy with a little breakfast in our bellies to start out the day.
Dad did go up for 2nds.
After breakfast we finished packing up and loaded the car and headed over to the port where dad dropped us off. He was on his way to Kennedy Space Center for the day, then to his sisters for the next 3 nights.
Once we boarded the ship we headed up to Cabanas for lunch.
Wow! This buffet had so many options. We were seated with out much of a wait.
We were right by a window and had a rainy view of the Carnival ship.
I ran up and got Claire’s food and then came back to get mine….then mom took her turn. There was so much to choose from. I needed to bring an extra stomach.
Claire and I got some of the chocolate chip cookies I have heard so much about….these were awesome. I could go for about 6 of them right now!
Claire had fries, a roll, chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, chicken noodle soup and of course the cookie. I think the cookie is the only thing she completely finished!
Mom and I just filled our plates with whatever looked good. There was so much to chose from, it was impossible to try it all.
Claire got Cheesecake for dessert and I got chocolate mousse and a few more cookies! Mom got some hard dip ice cream that she said was to die for. It was pineapple coconut. I don’t like coconut, so I didn’t give it a try and was to full too go up and try any other flavors.
I took several different pictures of Cabanas through the cruise and will be sure to post them in my Trip report.
The food was excellent. Much better than I had expected! I heard from many people that Disney cruise line food wasn’t all that great. I think it was much better than the park food. I was pleasantly surprised with this first meal and couldn’t wait to try a few more.
I'm so surprised that you heard from people that DCL food isn't good. We have always loved the food onboard - and have some favorites that we HAVE to order every cruise. (Like the mushroom risotto at AP, or the mushroom on polenta appetizer at Palo's - yes, I guess I am a mushroom fan. Or the chocolate souffle at Palo's!!!)
Great start - and great idea to do a food report separate from the full TR!
I'm so surprised that you heard from people that DCL food isn't good. We have always loved the food onboard - and have some favorites that we HAVE to order every cruise. (Like the mushroom risotto at AP, or the mushroom on polenta appetizer at Palo's - yes, I guess I am a mushroom fan. Or the chocolate souffle at Palo's!!!)
Great start - and great idea to do a food report separate from the full TR!
On the some of the other boards I visit ,they comment on how the food isn't as good as it should be, etc. I thought it was wonderful though. But I guess you can't please everyone. I did get the mushroom risotto too. It was great.
Quote:
Originally Posted by B.M.
Great start to your food review! Looks delish to me>
Great start I can not wait to read more.....Love the soup pic. My DD is home sick today and of course is in my bed and said where can you get some of that soup...LOL!!!
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