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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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Hello everyone :]
So the time has now come to book a hotel for my family as well as my cousin's family's trip to Disney World for next year. We will be going to celebrate two Sweet 16's [myself and my cousin], and we are now up to the deciding stage of which hotel we will choose.
My mom set me up with a Passporter and a travel agent and told me to research whatever I wanted to, but to keep in mind that we can not stay in a Deluxe Hotel [like the Grand Floridian, our favorite!], because my cousin's family is on a strict budget.
We now have the option of staying at a Moderate Hotel, or a Value Hotel.
We have basically narrowed it down to either the Royal Guest rooms at the Port Orleans Riverside, or one of the Family Suites at the AoA.
We loved the possibility of having a larger room at the AoA, for a good price for my cousin's family, but we were afraid that the decorations may be a bit too "childish" and "cheezy" for myself [16], my cousin [16], her sister [19], and my sister [12], as well as our parents.
So basically, everyone's opinions would be appreciated much, even if you haven't been to both hotels!
We would just love to know which hotel you think would suit us more
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2 rooms at any of the other values should be cheaper, if truth be told. AoA is so new that the prices are actually a bit higher, especially for the suites. Although I haven't stayed there, AS Music (which also has suites) could be a good choice if you want a suite. Lots of people like Pop Century but me and my family prefer AS Sports (and we're not sports people).
Your mom definitely set you on the right path with the Passporter and here we'll answer any questions you have. Good luck on deciding and researching. Hopefully you find it fun and enjoy it like many of us do
I absolutely love POR. If your family is used to the GF, then I think the atmosphere may be a bit over the top for you at AoA. POR is more laid back and relaxing. I love the boat ride to DD and the pool area is nice. I think teens would be happier at the POR pool than the pool at AoA.
Look at photos of both. There is a thread in this forum right now with links of AoA photos. Check out info on AllEarsNet, as well. They often have menus and photos, as well.
I haven't stayed at a Value resort, I enjoy having the extra ammenities of a moderate resort (or deluxe - but I understand that is not an issue this trip). Consider how much time you'll be spending at the resort and what you expect to get out of it. Lets face it, you're at Disney - you'll have a great time at either place.
That's awesome you'll get to celebrate two special birthdays this way.
I don't think the rooms will be "cheesy" since they're Disney rooms (I mean even adults would like a Disney themed room) but I also agree to go to POR. It'll be closer to GF and more celebratory for special birthdays.
I would go with Riverside, it really is a beautiful resort As far as AoA I can only compare it to the resort decor at Pop Century and I will say it didn't come off cheesy to me like I thought it may. I actually liked the decor at Pop, but Riverside is our favorite resort.
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Offsite May 2005, POR September 2006, POR August 2007, POFQ December 2008, POR February 2010,
Pop Century April 2011,
I know many people say the Values are great since they only sleep there. My two adult daughters and I along with my then 9 year old grandson tried ASM for three nights while waiting to move to WL with a pin code. We found we were stepping all over each other and also the double beds didn't work very well for us. With parents and 2 older kids, I think you will be happier at a moderate. I could be wrong but I think all the moderates have queen beds now. Have a happy Disney birthday!
We have been to POR but have not been to the new AoA. In my opinion I would pick POR (or any of the mods) over any of the value resorts. To me they are much nicer and worth the extra money it may cost. POR is a very nice resort.
I would go with POR or POFQ, but would skip the Royal Rooms at POR and suggest the regular rooms in the Magnolia Bend (mansions) section. Both resorts have very lovely and understated decor in the regular rooms. We have stayed at both, and while it is quite difficult to choose a favorite between the two, we just love the compact size and quaintness of POFQ. That being said, Riverside Mill food court and the pool at POR is the better of the two resorts. Since the path between the two is a nice stroll, you honestly cannot go wrong at either!
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Happy planning your 16th birthday trip.
I love POFQ. We stayed once at RS it was a little walk to the food court. Nice place though. We were right near the quiet pool.
Considering the constellation of your party, I'd definitely go with Port Orleans Riverside. We've stayed at POR in 2008 and really enjoyed how laid-back the resort feels. The "in your face" theming of the values might not be the best for you guys. DH and I have stayed at the All Stars and while I love the bright colors, my DH isn't a big fan of the theming. He prefers moderates as they are quieter and feel more upscale. So if you like the GF, I'm sure the POR would be a better choice
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As far as AoA I can only compare it to the resort decor at Pop Century and I will say it didn't come off cheesy to me like I thought it may. I actually liked the decor at Pop, but Riverside is our favorite resort.
[SIGPIC]Ricky, Sharon R, Richard
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