A Whole New World *Pre Trip Report* About This Page:

[Shawn d]

The Party: Me: Shawn (23): 1st timer

My parents: 1st timers as well



The dates: April 27 to May 4, 2004



Lodging: Port Orleans Riverside



Why: First ever trip to Disney



First of all, I want to thank a lot of people on this site for all of their help. I apologize in advance if I miss any names. I would like to thank Marcie, Nikki, Joy, Michelle, Douglas, Ed, and Joe for all of their help. Wow, where do I begin? I guess it would be when I was walking in a mall and saw a poster for a sweetheart deal at WDW way back in January. I thought to myself that this was definitely something to consider. I am a Disney fan, but not a fanatic, so there were some things I didn’t know. I went to the library, and online to look for any and all info to research Disney, the rides, the food, and things I may have missed. Finding Passporter was a bit of a fluke as I tried my luck typing in passporter as a website, not knowing if the website existed. The website did work. When I first looked at the site, I most definitely felt a small fish in a big pond. Most of the people here are WDW vets, and I didn’t know if there were dumb questions to be asked. After a few more weeks and visits to the site, I felt more comfortable.



However, as soon as things looked like they were going to lift off, there were doubts on whether the trip would occur. Likewise, in times when things looked their bleakest, things turned around and the trip was back on again. Initially the trip would have taken place on May 17 to May 24. My parents and I will get the chance to see International Flower and Garden Festival. I would have liked to go for the Star Wars stuff as well, but I will have to see about going to that another time. When things finally came together, I thought about visiting an old friend and boss. She helped me when I was hired to teach at a camp in Korea, and kept some instant coffee nearby for those mornings when the rice, and kimchee (sp?) was getting to be too much I remembered that she lived in Florida, and thought it would be a great idea to visit her. I phoned her, and told her about vacationing down in Florida. She suggested coming down to her place in Fort Lauderdale for a few days and catch up on old times (I will try and do a TR for my Ft. Lauderdale side trip). One thing that eluded me though was finding a gift for her. I wanted to get her something that was from me and showed a connection to where I am from. In my search, I found some Saskatoon berry and syrup (there must be a Murphy’s Law which says syrup can come in plastic containers, but jam has to come in glass LOL). With customs as it is, I didn’t know whether fruit jam/syrup was acceptable to transport as a carry on. After a few weeks of research I got the green light to purchase the syrup and jam. Since then, I also found some wheat art for her as well as a souvenir of the football team up here (FYI, the team has roots, history and support similar to the Green Bay Packers). Finding information on the web is long and varied. Not only did I use the Passporter website as a reference, I used books from Birnbaum’s, Sehlinger, and websites from Deb’s site and a few others.



But, now we are in the present. I have my new passport, and I have started tanning to establish a base. I have made notes of where to go in Minneapolis’ airport as well as Orlando’s, (I am from a small town and the closest airport is nowhere near the size of the major airports down there), where to eat, what rides to ride, what’s closed, what’s under maintenance, and everything in between. I have yet to pack but to be quite honest, I will undoubtedly be overwhelmed when we arrive. This trip is close to 10 years in the making for me. This trip will undoubtedly be a whole new world.

[LilMarcieMouse]

<font color="blue">Great start Shawn I can't wait to hear the rest! </font>

[Colexis Mom]

What a great trip you're going to have Shawn Can't wait to read all about it!

[luvnwdwgal]

Well I'm hooked! Great start Shawn!!
You're going to have a wonderful time, and I can't wait to read all about it!

[Poor_Eeyore]

yay.... shawn I am so happy you get to go... I wish my trip had of stayed in effect and I would get to see you!!! I know you are going to have a wonderful time. and with your "NEW passporter" I know you are going to be spending all your free time planning your trip instead of talking to me hehehe jk. I hope you have a wonderful time and buy lots of souveniers (sp?) you can send me some if you want *hint hint, wink wink* lol jk Have a good Trip Shawn

[Mel & Richard]

Have a wonderful time! I'm looking forward to hearing all about it when you get back.

Mel

[poohsgirl]

<font color="purple"> Shawn! I'm glad you found us, even if it was a fluke! I can't wait to all about your trip! </font>