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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
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So I honestly don't remember if I did a PTR or not, but I'm thinking I didn't. So... surprise! I had actually planned a short weekend getaway to meet up with a PP friend at WDW as part of her longer trip to the World but there were unfortunate circumstances and she had to cancel her trip. So turns out that it was suddenly solo but I wasn't letting that stop me from getting in some Disney time!
Thanks for joining along If you'd like to know more about me you can check out my blog or any of my past TRs (a handful in my sig!)
I did the silly thing and decided to work a full day and fly out after, but all bets were off when I got my room ready text at 10:30am, I just wanted to get there! I put in that I'd be arriving late so I was quite surprised it was ready so early.
Wrapped up the day at work about 20 minutes later than I had hoped and rushed home to *begin* packing. I had a mental list and some new dresses I was hoping to wear so I was able to get through it pretty quickly. As usual I had misplaced my TiW card but was able to find it after a quick phone call to mom.
Jimmy got home when I had finished sorting and was getting ready for the flight ahead with a quick change into comfy clothes. He had stopped on the way home to pick up yummier sammich bread and some snacks for me and then proceeded to load some movies on my iPad AND made me dinner to take on the plane while I shoved everything into the suitcase.
We actually ended up leaving with perfect timing, usually I'm scrambling and really pushing it. We left at 6:30 and arrived around 7 for my 8:30 flight. Said my goodbyes to Jimmy and headed on in! Precheck was unfortunately closed and there were lines, but at least I got to go through priority.
Once through security I had about 40 mins to kill so I went in search of a bar and the first two were FULL! I'm usually a Vino Volo girl or whatever that wine bar is and every table was taken so I walked a little further from my gate and found a Friday's. Thankfully there were two seats at the bar so I was able to scooch in and try one of their new drinks, the one two rum punch.
Surprised Friday's had their own Snapchat filter
Love my Mickey Vera Wallet!
I'm sat at the bar and did some catching up with Internet things and writing up my notes for this TR. I'm hoping since this is a short trip I'll be able to finish a TR in a timely manner for you all!
I wrapped up and took a bio break before heading back to my gate right at boarding time, only to find out that they were already at group 2! I hopped right in line and found space for my luggage and my seat no problem.
I had dinner while waiting for everyone else to load and then the boarding stopped and we just sat there for about 20 mins and waited… Then all of a sudden another rush of boarding. We had apparently waited for another flight to get in and make their connection.
The dinner my wonderful man made for me Yum!
We took off about 20 minutes late but made the time up in the air and landed right about midnight. I took advantage of the free entertainment and watched Big Bang reruns while I dozed off. Once I made it off the plane I couldn't believe how crowded the airport was and made my way down to DME looking for a vending machine for a bottle of water on the way… With no luck! I was so parched and dehydrated. It was not fun.
I get down to DME and everyone seems to 1) have a problem with me traveling alone and 2) think I'm an idiot. The CM asked the line I was in who was going to Kidani, I said me and she ignored me. She then went back and asked every “family” if they were going to Kidani and when she got to me and I said “still me” then she asked me where I was going!
It was 12:45am and I had finally gotten on a DME bus and was hopefully heading over to Animal Kingdom, but ended up stopping at Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, and Art of Animation first It was definitely a long night for me. We actually made two stops at Pop Century, one at the front and one awkwardly in a dark parking lot. Forgot to mention there were a bunch of cheerleaders on my flight and now on the bus as well, so wondering if this weird second stop has to do with that or just the late hour?
We finally get to AKL and I'm pretty sure it's Jambo House but I can't tell in the dark… I ask and he didn't even know he had anyone for Kidani on the bus I'm all alone now. Last stop of what turned out to be a 6 stop bus ride! Not what you want to be experiencing after midnight
Got to the resort just after 2 and finally found my room around 2:30 after going the wrong direction first. Their signs are really misleading and there were no helpful CMs to be found. I finally wound down at 3am and tried to get some sleep for my weekend ahead.
My typical "I made it!" mirror selfie!
Dark and desolate out there, but the moon was pretty!
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
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Yay!!!! Another TR!!!! I like reading your TRs - lots of good opinions, info, photos!!! Sorry for what a long day - especially that bus ride! Can't wait to read more!
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
Can't wait to read more. Sorry there was no one around when you got there, rude
It was definitely not a "welcome home" experience
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
That was a very long travel day! But you are there and the moon was beautiful!
I had some amazing sky times on this trip!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MayraLR
What a looong day! Hope you were able to rest up!
I sure tried!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Sorry for the long travel day! Can't wait to hear more!
My own fault, I need to stop thinking it's a good idea to fly AFTER a full day of work!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nemo125
Yay!!!! Another TR!!!! I like reading your TRs - lots of good opinions, info, photos!!! Sorry for what a long day - especially that bus ride! Can't wait to read more!
Aww thank you!
Quote:
Originally Posted by minniemouse1217
I'm hooked. Can't wait to hear about day 2.
Your 1st day sounded out of sorts. Crazy signage and lack of CM assistance is a miss on Disney's part. Hope the rest of your trip is seamless.
My trips always seem to have their ups and downs, I think I'm just a difficult guest sometimes...
First, I realized looking for a certain photo that I missed some in my last update - enjoy some more of a Kidani Studio and a 2am moon!
Day 2 - It’s too early!
I was woken up at 7:30am by the bright sun coming through the accidental crack I left in the curtains. I got up and checked the Savannah before closing it and going back to sleep until about 10.
When I woke up I realized I needed to get moving if I wanted breakfast food for breakfast so I got my bathing suit on under a dress and headed for the walk over to Jambo House. (Kidani has pastry-type options in their lobby gift shop, but I wanted eggs!) Everyone always says it's only 5 minutes but it took me closer to 10 and I'm a pretty fast walker.
I headed to The Mara and there was a moderate line. When I got to the front I learned they were out of croissant sandwiches which was a bummer but they had fried egg sammich on a Kaiser roll. Not as good unfortunately but it got the job done. I sat outside and ate and their pool was already significantly crowded at 10:30am. Now going through the photos and looking at the receipt, this is where the cost of breakfast was just totally not worth it
I headed back through the lobby with a stop at their Concierge desk to ask about the new Sense of Africa tour. It was quite pricey but wasn't sure how long it would be on offer so decided if it was available it was meant to be and I would do it! It was so I booked it with Sami, the only cast member who even acknowledged me at the desk out of the about 6 that were standing there. She was great
details!
Lobby water is a nice touch
Had to
I headed back over to Kidani and got a little lost looking for the pool and had to ask for directions. I did also stop at the gift shop to get sunscreen for now and a razor for later. (Remind me not to forget when I run out of disposables at home next time, the ones there are icky) I got over there just after 11 and again it was pretty crowded but the perks of going solo is there was a lone lounger in the sun available for me! The pool is somewhat in the middle of the forest, so it’s surprisingly peaceful despite the crowds. I wasn’t really used to this since we stay at the Boardwalk a lot and the Clown Pool is right in the middle of the action.
could see the construction happening at the park!
I hopped in the water to cool off since it was already HOT today and then got out and sunscreened up and ordered an adult black cherry lemonade (we make these at home sometimes for pooltime!) from the lone pool server on duty today. I just relaxed and people watched and enjoyed my adult beverages for the next two hours or so. It was an awesome pool day and a great way to beat the heat!
These are some of my favorite drinks at Disney - perfect pool drinks.
View from my lounger
I headed back to my room to cool down and change before heading back through the hotel to Sanaa for a stop in their lounge for a bite to eat.
Brian was the bartender and my server and he was very nice. He recommended the mango margarita and he was right, very delicious! It wasn't quite frozen but it had a mango purée so a nice thickness to it. I ordered the bread service with cucumber raita, mango chutney, and red pepper hummus. The NFL draft isn't overly interesting to me so I played Trivia Crack and people watched while I waited.
A very nice pair of ladies sat next to me and chatted a bit and shared kitty pics they were also just here for the weekend and were having dinner at Sanaa in a few hours so they were just having drinks.
Switched to a classic rum and diet - the margarita was delish but too filling! Wanted to eat more naan!
Seriously obsessed with their naan.
I ate until I couldn't eat anymore and boxed up the rest. I stopped at the gift shop for some DVDs just in case I got lazy this evening.
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If you'd like to know more about me you can check out my blog or any of my past TRs (a handful in my sig!) 
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It was definitely a long night for me. We actually made two stops at Pop Century, one at the front and one awkwardly in a dark parking lot. Forgot to mention there were a bunch of cheerleaders on my flight and now on the bus as well, so wondering if this weird second stop has to do with that or just the late hour? 
I'm all alone now. Last stop of what turned out to be a 6 stop bus ride! Not what you want to be experiencing after midnight 
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