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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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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07-21-2006, 12:59 AM
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#1
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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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Two go wild and go west! - THREAD 7 - COMPLETE!
Welcome to my trip report for our Vegas and California trip! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img]
This is the seventh and final thread of this report.
The first thread of this report can be found here, the second thread can be found here, the third thread can be found here, the fourth thread can be found here, the fifth thread can be found here and the sixth thread can be found here
As this will cover a number of different places, the Vegas and Lake Havasu City parts have already been posted in this forum. The San Diego and Disneyland / Los Angeles parts of our trip were posted in the Disneyland forum. |
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Sponsored links
 | | 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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07-21-2006, 01:00 AM
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#2
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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: Two go wild and go west! - THREAD 7 - UPDATED 7/21!
Friday 28 April – part one: is there nowhere to eat here?! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]
I so did not want to get up when the wake up call when at 7.00. Fortunately, I had woken up a few minutes before, so it wasn’t a total shock to me. We had to get moving, as Maureen and Kevan were picked up the car at 7.30 and would then get us a few minutes later.
Sure enough, we got a call at 7.25 and they would be with us in 10 minutes. I was glad of those extra few minutes, as we weren’t ready to go at that point when they called us! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/blushing.gif[/img]
We were a little late getting to them, but I think it was all forgiven when I explained that the delay had been due to waiting for the CD to record. I had promised them yesterday that I would run off a copy of photos I had taken for them, as Maureen hadn’t been able to get any photos while she was clinging on to the cable car. Of course, in hindsight, knowing what’s since happened to her photos from San Francisco, I am so glad I did that. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]
Maureeen was driving and we were quickly out of San Francisco and on to the freeway. She kept saying that someone should take a photo of her driving on the freeways of California, but do you know, I never got one! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] I really didn’t want to distract her – I dread to think how distracting it is to have someone snapping photos of you while you’re driving! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/whistling2.gif[/img] Anyway, I made up for it with plenty of scenery shots as we left San Francisco and headed into the green countryside surrounding the city.
        
Before long, we were on to the I-1, which I know a lot of people on the boards told me was one of the most spectacular drives in California and possibly further afield. While it was a nice enough drive, I wouldn’t say it was as spectacular as I was hoping for. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/pout.gif[/img] I guess the weather didn’t help. Perhaps when it’s brilliant sunshine, it’s better.
    
       
We initially thought because it was a scenic route and presumably thousands of people drove this route every day during the summer months in particular, that there would be plenty of places to eat, but not a bit of it. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] By now, we were really hungry, but we couldn’t find anything and we were all eagerly keeping an eye out for something.
Eventually we got to Santa Cruz and we saw a McDonald’s. Well, that was something. We kept looking, but couldn’t see anything else further into the town, so we turned around and went back there. When we got there, boy were we all hungry! I ended up having pancakes, a hash brown and most of a sundae. That was the only way I could fill up! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]
Then we were back on the road again and heading for Monterey. The countryside when we got there was lovely.
 
Next: performing penguins and tame birds! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
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07-21-2006, 08:10 AM
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#3
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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: Two go wild and go west! - THREAD 7 - UPDATED 7/21!
Great update Cheryl!!! Love the photos!! Can't wait to hear all about Monterey!!
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07-21-2006, 08:53 AM
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#4
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Facebook Addict
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Philadelphia
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 39,682
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Re: Two go wild and go west! - THREAD 7 - UPDATED 7/21!
Nice shots, even though the weather looked miserable.
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07-21-2006, 09:06 AM
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#5
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Community Rank: Explorer 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Manchester NH
Concierge Level: 4
Posts: 12,514
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Re: Two go wild and go west! - THREAD 7 - UPDATED 7/21!
The same thing happened to me when driving from San Francisco to Monterey, the only place we saw to eat was a small cafe and I swear there were about 100 motorcycles parked in front so we just kept going!
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07-21-2006, 09:32 AM
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#6
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Illinois
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 9,564
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Re: Two go wild and go west! - THREAD 7 - UPDATED 7/21!
DH and I took Hwy 1 north to Mendocino one year and it was beautiful. It was in the fall however, and they tell me that the weather is better (less fog, etc.) during that time of year. We had already scoped out where to eat along the way and actually ate breakfast in the restaurant that was used in the movie "The Birds". It was in Bodaga Bay. We stopped and looked at the building that was used for the schoolhouse in the movie also. It was really cool.
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07-21-2006, 10:53 AM
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#7
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Tinkerbell's Aunt
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: McHenry IL
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 13,254
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Re: Two go wild and go west! - THREAD 7 - UPDATED 7/21!
Many years ago my ex and I drove Highway 1 from Monterey down to Santa Barbara. I don't think I've ever driven it from SF to Monterey (we usually stayed with friends in the south bay area). I [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] the drive! We took 2 days and the sky was blue and there was a gentle breeze. I swear I made my ex stop every 2 miles because one view was more breathtaking than the next. I'm sorry your drive wasn't as spectacular. I hope you enjoy your day in Monterey. We've been there several times and always had a good time.
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07-21-2006, 10:56 AM
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#8
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Community Rank: Globetrotter 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Manchester, England
Posts: 3,595
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Re: Two go wild and go west! - THREAD 7 - UPDATED 7/21!
Great update Cheryl. Can't wait for the next installment.
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07-21-2006, 11:05 AM
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#9
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RED SOX NATION!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854
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Re: Two go wild and go west! - THREAD 7 - UPDATED 7/21!
Great update Cheryl! Sorry the weather wasn't cooperating and it was foggy [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]
Looking forward to more [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
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07-21-2006, 01:52 PM
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#10
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Community Rank: Globetrotter
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: California
Posts: 3,878
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Re: Two go wild and go west! - THREAD 7 - UPDATED 7/21!
Great pictures, I love PCH, its a great drive. I've done it all the way from San Deigo to the Washington/Canada boarder.
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07-22-2006, 04:41 AM
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#11
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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: Two go wild and go west! - THREAD 7 - UPDATED 7/21!
Friday 28 April – part two: performing penguins and tame birds! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
We followed the signs for the Aquarium, which was to be our first stop and quickly found parking and not too badly priced either. Why on earth parking charges in San Francisco are so high, I have no idea. Everywhere else in California is reasonable, so what’s the deal in San Francisco? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/questionicon.gif[/img]
We walked through the Cannery area and it was a bit like a ghost town. I’m sure it’s like Lake Havasu City in that it’s probably thriving in the summer months, but it certainly wasn’t today. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img]
   
We quickly found the Aquarium and got our tickets. My goodness, they were steep - $21.95, that’s about $6 more than we paid in Boston for their Aquarium. I really hoped that this place would live up to the high ticket price.. and for a while, it did. We went through the left hand section of the Aquarium first, which includes a kelp forest and details about the tropics and the different fish that live in them.
         
Then we went outside into an aviary area, where birds were just wandering around, literally within touching distance. I don’t think I’ve ever seen birds as tame as these in my life. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img]
 
This section was all about life in clear water and you go outside for some superb views across Monterey Bay.
   
By now, we had been in here for about three quarters of an hour and we only had one and a half hours before we had to be at the whale watching. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] I was getting a bit worried, as we hadn’t done half of the place yet, so we needed to speed up our pace.
We did that and headed upstairs, so that Maureen could see her beloved penguins. Boy, do these guys love to perform for the public! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] They were swimming away in front of us all lined up, as if they were doing a dance. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before and it was clear that these animals really enjoyed their lives here.
       
I think from here on in is where the disappointment started. There was only the one tank of penguins and the rest of the area was devoted to children and information on activities for them. That’s fine for families, but we were looking forward to some more for adults as well and to be honest, they made a big deal of the penguins. They were signposted all over the place and yet there was only one tank in a huge area.
Still no matter, there was still plenty to do here on the other side of the Aquarium, including the sharks. The theming here was wonderful.
     
Next: where are the sharks? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/ukid.gif[/img]
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07-22-2006, 06:32 AM
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#12
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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: Two go wild and go west! - THREAD 7 - UPDATED 7/21!
[b]Fantastic report and superb photos!!!
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07-22-2006, 07:05 AM
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#13
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Community Rank: Trailblazer 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Carolina
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 5,666
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Re: Two go wild and go west! - THREAD 7 - UPDATED 7/21!
Cheryl, those photos are amazing!!! The look like pictures straight out of a photography book! Great job!
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07-22-2006, 09:03 AM
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#14
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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: Two go wild and go west! - THREAD 7 - UPDATED 7/21!
Great photos of the aquarium Cheryl!!!! We visited there and found it very nice. Can't wait to read and see more!!!
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07-22-2006, 11:35 AM
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#15
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Tinkerbell's Aunt
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: McHenry IL
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 13,254
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Re: Two go wild and go west! - THREAD 7 - UPDATED 7/21!
Cheryl - I think your pictures are the aquarium are some of your best yet. The colors are beautiful. I love penquins, too. They are so playful and fun to watch. Sorry there wasn't more for adults there.
Waiting for more........
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Sponsored links
| | 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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