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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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I'm new here to the PP Boards. But in the short time I've been here, I have so enjoyed all the wonderful PTR's and TR's. I decided to share my experience as well because I know it will be truly magical (and I'm hoping for loads of advice lol).
The Family: Me, Valerie (38) and my wonderful husband have been together for 5 years and married for almost 3. My DH is from England so we tend to split our time between his home near Chester, UK and my home near Mesquite, TX. We have two wonderful boys (mine from previous marriage) Jonathan (Jon), who is 18 and currently in the Army doing his advanced training for Signals Intelligence Analysis. And Scottie, who is 11 and spoiled by everyone who meets him lol.
The Backstory: When the economy went downhill I lost my job, so we came to the UK for a bit because DH had a job waiting. We were in the middle of his immigration to the US and because of a misplaced paper we may have to do it all over again! However, because I no longer have a job, I cannot sponsor his immigration now. Also, since we (DS11 and I) cannot stay in the UK for more than 6 months, we have to return to Texas. Since, the job market is still not looking too good, DH has decided to file for our visa's to come back to the UK to stay! Yay! However (don't ya hate those howevers?), it will take at least 4 months or more before we can return. In the meantime, we are going to miss DH so very much!! DS is heartbroken to leave the only daddy he knows.
My other son, Jon, being in the army now and getting a decent pay, decided to surprise us though!! He is sending me and Scottie to WDW for Scottie's BD!! Jon knows that me and Scottie are both Disney crazy and it has always been a dream of mine to go to WDW. I never thought I'd get to go much less take my own little Pooh bear (DS11)!! Jon says that maybe that will make the time away from DH a little more bearable. My boys are my pride and joy!!! I've attached photos and I hope I did it right, please forgive any mistakes as I've never done anything like this before lol!
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The Dates: Scottie's BD is December 1st, so I was thinking how wonderful to see WDW at the Holidays!! I figured the crowds would be bad for the entire holidays, so imagine my surprise when I find that the first week of Dec is usually LOW crowds!! I actually did a happy dance when I saw that lol. Since I homeschool, I can pretty much pick whatever dates I wanted. I finally settled on Tuesday, Nov. 30th - Monday, Dec. 6th.
I also decided to let Scottie in on the plans, because I wanted him to help decide what and where to go. We have been poring over posts here and other disney sites. (Although I have to say, we like this one the best!) I realized pretty quick that I would have to order a passporter book lol. I never knew there was so much information to absorb just to plan the trip!
My poor DH, who is staying behind, is so happy that we are going (probably even more happy that he doesn't have to go lol). But I think we have him on Disney overload!! Scottie keeps playing every Disney cd and dvd he owns. And now he's added to that the Christmas music as well!!
I should probably say, I have called my DS Pooh bear (or as he got older "Boo Bear") since birth lol. He has every pooh stuffy you could imagine! Although now he's more into pirates lol and hates me telling people he used to adore Pooh. That being said, he has promised me to get a picture with Pooh to add to my collection lol. I'm so pleased that even though he's almost 12 he's still my pooh bear!!
What a great start and I must admit I saw straight away that you were dividing your time between Texas and England and was curious about that. I'm so sorry you guys can't be together right now.
Out of interest, whereabouts is your DH from? You said near Chester and my parents live about 30 miles from Chester, so that's why I was curious about that...
First of all, Yay!! You're going to Disney!! I'm sorry about you and your family having to be split for the next few months You've got great dates, it sounds like you're going to have a lot of fun!
What a great start and I must admit I saw straight away that you were dividing your time between Texas and England and was curious about that. I'm so sorry you guys can't be together right now.
Out of interest, whereabouts is your DH from? You said near Chester and my parents live about 30 miles from Chester, so that's why I was curious about that...
My husband is actually from Burton in the Wirral. We've loved being here right near the marsh, it's beautiful. His dad owns a nursery that specializes in Dahlias, so there's always lovely flowers everywhere lol. We've also gone to the Ness Gardens which is right down the road. I have loved my time in the UK and can't wait to get back!
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.
WDW - August 1997 Off Property
WDW - January 2005 AKL
WDW - May 2006 Pop Century
WDW- november-dec 2007 pop century
WDW- dec/jan 2009/2010 pop century
WDW- oct/nov 2012 art of animation
WDW- sept 2013 port Orleans riverside
WDW- july 2015 beach club
Great start, Valerie, and what a wonderful way to help you two not miss your DH so much! Jon!
I am truly blessed to have two wonderful sons! Jon is always willing to do anything to make me or his DB happy lol.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PamelaK
Wonderful start! I know you will love being at WDW during that time.
I am so excited to see the Decor!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by xrosario
First of all, Yay!! You're going to Disney!! I'm sorry about you and your family having to be split for the next few months You've got great dates, it sounds like you're going to have a lot of fun!
We are really struggling with the idea of being separated that long, but we know that in the end we'll be back together. I am sure that we are going to have a wonderful time!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MGW
I am going to love reading all about your trip! Yay first-timers! And I can't wait to see that picture of your little boy with Pooh!
I will be there with some of my family that weekend, so maybe we will spot you!
Can't wait for more!
I am so excited it seems lately everything is Disneyfied! I think he secretly wants that photo too, he still has his baby Pooh blanket that he snuggles with when no one is looking lol! He actually asked me if we might see anyone of these forums there and I said probably lol. Seems like alot of us are going those dates. The more the merrier!! Will keep an eye out for you!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great start Valerie!
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
Great Start Valerie!!! Can't wait to read more!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by nalexander
Great start.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bsblady01
more please
Thank you all so much for sharing in our excitement!! I have so much I want to plan and do, there will definitely be more!!
The first thing I needed to do was to pick a resort. Of course there was only one appropriate choice for my son, did I mention he loves pirates??
So, Caribbean Beach Resort it was! Unfortunately, the pirate rooms were all booked up by the time I was able to book it. But after telling DS that it still had a pirate themed pool and fortifications around the resort lol, he said he still wanted it!
Next, Dining Plan or not?
Well, Jon said he wanted me to do it right, no matter the cost....so he picked the Deluxe Dining Plan. He didn't want us to have to worry about food at all lol. He is so thoughtful!! Did I mention how wonderful my son is? lol
So, now we're looking at where we want to eat. Thanks to all the information here and other websites, I realized that I needed to know where we would eat so I could make ADR's. I am so grateful to everyone here for putting their thoughts and opinions on the food out there for those of us who don't know!
In getting the ADR's lined up, it helped me to map out a plan for the parks as well. Since we have the PH option, we are free to move around as well. We decided not to do the Water Parks as DS is not into those at all. I have my doubts as to whether or not he'll even get in the pool at the resort....
I get everything all lined up and.......uh oh.....the snag....
In my excitement of planning our trip, I forgot something VERY important!
DS is a HUGE, and I mean huge lol, fan of Harry Potter!! With the WWoHP open, he naturally assumed we'd be going there as well. We are flying in from Dallas and will be using Disney transportation, so now the dilemma of not only fitting in WWoHP, but in getting there and back!!
Ok, so I checked out the Universal website and see that WWoHP is in the Islands of Adventure park. But, on showing it to DS he's only interested in the WWoHP and Jurassic Park area!! Seems such a waste of money to just go for what will be probably half a day...and tickets are around $80 each...not to mention the cost of getting there and back! Price for a cab RT was looking at around the same as a ticket!!
Then, one of those wonderful things I learned from fellow PP posts....Mears can do it for half the cost!!
Ok, so we might be spending alot for maybe half a day, but to see the look on DS face when I said we were going to WWoHP....that was priceless!
So, now to rearrange the plans a bit to fit in a half day at Universal...
We'll start like this:
Nov. 30th - arrive at 10am, check-in and check out the resort a bit (room probably won't be ready). Then head to DTD for a bit of shopping
Maybe head to DHS after that
8:00 pm - Spirit of Aloha dinner show!!!
Dec. 1st - DS 12th BD!! - 7:30 - Captain's Grille then off to AK for opening and a Safari maybe, but really leaving most of this day open
Scottie's choice was maybe to do a bit at AK and then head over to DHS about midday.
8:45 - Shutter's @CBR - I chose this for his dinner because I'm having a cake done and thought it would be easier at the resort.
Dec. 2nd - Head to Universal by 8:00 - for WWoHP, figure to leave at latest by 4:30pm it all depends on him.
5:30pm - DHS to find a spot for the 6:30 show of Fantasmic!, after check out the Osborne Lights.
8:15pm - Dinner at Garden Grill
Dec. 3rd - 8:40am - Kona Cafe Breakfast - then head to MK!
7:00pm - Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party!
Dec. 4th - 9:55am - Breakfast @ Boma and rest of the day at AK
5:00pm - might head on over to MK since it's open till 10pm
Dec. 5th - Epcot day! will stay at this park all day most likely
1:40pm - Les Chefs de France
8:15pm - Akershus, yes he agreed to a princess dinner lol (for my benefit he says)
Dec. 6th - 8:40am - Cape May Cafe character breakfast and then on to MK
around midday we'll head to DTD for 2:15 ADR @ Planet Hollywood
3:00pm - Back to CBR for DME shuttle to airport, then flight home at 7pm
I didn't load up too many TS, because I wanted to have a bit of freedom as to when and where we eat. The only TS that Scottie was upset we couldn't get was Crystal Palace (he read about the sundae bar, I expect lol). I will keep checking and trying right up until we leave lol.
Another thing that may change is the 1st, I really think I might change it and go to MK for opening. I think he'd enjoy seeing that. He wanted to do the safari early because we read that is when the animals are most active, but we might could do it on the 4th before our ADR at Boma. This is sooo much work!! lol but soooo much fun!!!
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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In the meantime, we are going to miss DH so very much!! DS is heartbroken to leave the only daddy he knows.
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