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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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Epcot eatery question or not...?
Ok, here is my dilemma: We just found out that we will be going to Epcot on December 20th. My sister Kelly turns 48 on Dec. 20 and her daughter will be performing in the Candlelight Processional. My sister Kelly ran for state senate this past election and she lost (she's been in politics for 16 years). So we wanted to do something special for her birthday to get her mind off her loss. My 2 other sisters, my Mother and I will be going to Epcot to surprise Kelly (5 in total). It is WAAAYYYY too late to make an ADR, I know that.
So what should we do for late lunch/dinner? What could you recommend we do? We are not opposed to leaving Epcot for a meal and then returning. We will only have single day passes so entering another park is out. Italian food would be nice but not necessary, and possibly not too expensive.
Any help would be appreciated. I am really at a loss here. I can't figure out what we should do....
Actually, if you look online for ADRs, there is (surprisingly) a lot available for that day! Quite a few Epcot restaurants have availability (like Chefs de France, Biergarten, Tokyo Dining and even Tutto Italia). Several of the Swan/Dolphin restaurants also had availability, and that would be an easy walk or boat ride from Epcot.
If you are trying to keep the cost down, I would definitely do a late lunch.
I would still try to make reservations. You can either check online, or give a call to WDW to see what they have available. You would be surprised at what might be available to you, especially if you're willing to eat at an odd time.
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Sounds like there are some things available onsite, but if you need alternatives you could trying checking Il Mulino at the Swan. If you are not tied to Italian you could check the restaurants at the Boardwalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Swan and Dolphin as well. Be persistent and you may find that something opens up, too. You can always book something just in case and then if a better option opens up, cancel and book another ADR. Good luck!
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15 total family trips with stays at the Poly, AKL, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, Swan, Dolphin, POFQ, Pop Century, All Star Music, Movies & Sports, and Coronado Springs.
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I was totally surprised by what was available. I usually make my adr's so early that I think they're all gone weeks in advance! Boy was I wrong. There were a few things open. I was able to book something. Thanks for the suggestions!!
I was totally surprised by what was available. I usually make my adr's so early that I think they're all gone weeks in advance! Boy was I wrong. There were a few things open. I was able to book something. Thanks for the suggestions!!
Glad you found something that works for you! I will be there next week, and I was VERY surprised that I was able to change around my ADRs within the last few weeks. I wonder if not as many people are booking TS due to the economy, because I am sure the parks will be very busy.
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You never can tell what may have opened up because someone canceled.
We were astonished to get lunch at Le Cellier only two days from when we checked. The concierge told us that ADR's are canceled all the time, and you never know when you may find a slot available at a time you like.
Glad you got something workable!
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Getting so excited you guys! We are surprising my sister for her birthday. She's all bummed out that me and my Mom can't make it. When we show up she is gonna lose it!! Keep me in your thoughts on Dec. 20th!
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Epcot eatery question or not...?
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m at the Nine Dragons. Never eaten there but happy I reserved something.
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