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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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Hi all! On my august trip, im interested in going to Universal.I havent been there in many years. I'll have my 13 and 15 year old kids with me.They have never been there.To be honest none of us are interested in the Harry Potter thing. I know there is the other section I cant remember the name? Thats where i would like to go. Ok, so how long do you think is enough time to spend there? Do you know of any discounts because it seems the prices on top of an almost 2 week stay at WDW is steep..I even looked into on site hotels.Wow,very pricey.But i dont think its to be missed.
Universal Studios is actually 2 separate parks - Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Harry Potter is in Islands of Adventure. Each park requires a separate admission. Both parks have a lot of great rides - much more intense than any at WDW. Staying on site gives you front of the line priviliges. I'd give each park a day
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Hi.Thanks for the input.It is the Universal theme Park that im interested in.Not the Harry Potter side.But if i do decide to go at all, i would upgrade from a one day to two i think.
By any chance, does anyone remember a ride with KingKong?Not sure if it was in Universal or the old MGM?Whichever the case its gone. That was a cool ride.Just curious.
Kongfrontation is long gone. It was replaced by the Revenge of the Mummy coaster, which was a definite step up!!
Keep in mind that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is just one section of Islands of Adventure. Don't mark Islands of Adventure (IOA) off your list just because you're not into Harry Potter!! It's a beautifully themed park with some top thrill rides. Each section of the park is a themed "island" with attractions and shows: Marvel Super Hero Island, Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park, Suess Landing, the Lost Continent, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
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Michelle - with my step sisters!
Last edited by Shell_of_the_South; 03-30-2011 at 06:03 PM..
Oooh, is that what it was called?Thanks. I just remember the ride itself and i think taking place in NY.The Universal part is more appealing to me. I remember the characters roaming around.I noticed the have a lucy tribute. Oh i love her. I know this August marks her 100th bday. I wonder if they will be promoting her exhibit more.
Not to beat a dead horse, but I think you are missing what everyone is saying about the HP just being a section of the park, not the entire park. The Islands of Adventure is kind of like the MGM/Hollywood Studios or Epcot part of the Walt Disney World. Just because you don't like to ride Rockin Roller Coaster, you wouldn't skip the chance to ride Tower of Terror! Or if you decide you are not going to ride the Three Caballeros ride, you would definitely not skip Soarin', right? The US and IOA are 2 totally different parks. I would think the teen boys would love them both, even the HP part if they aren't fans, unless there are lines.
I have not been to either one yet (going in June), but from what I understand, the Mummy is better than the Kong ride was. They left in certain things from the Kong ride though as hidden "mickey's" from what I was able to squeeze from a guide book I bought over the weekend. Also, DH LOATHES HP, but was willing to take a shot due to the rides in HP. He isn't going to do any of the shops and whatnots, but the Duelling Dragons ride (was another dragon ride prior to their converting it to a HP themed coaster) and also the tour of the castle and the simulator ride that follows that is supposed to be one of the best in the IOA park. They are two separate parks just like Epcot and Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios are so try not to pass them up just because you and the guys don't like HP! There are still other rides to be ridden in that IOA park and you must ride them! Mostly so you can come back and report to me how good they were or weren't.
Keep in mind they also sell something similar to Disney's park Hopper. I think they call it a Park to Park Pass. And even if you don't want to go the the Harry Potter part there are lots of other areas that are awesome.
Keep in mind they also sell something similar to Disney's park Hopper. I think they call it a Park to Park Pass. And even if you don't want to go the the Harry Potter part there are lots of other areas that are awesome.
Yep! Bwheat is right! that is what it is called! a Park-to-Park Pass! Depending on the number of days you go (I think you said one or two?) you pay as little as $15 extra per day, but that can add up when it is $15 x 4 peeps!
Good luck, Tink!
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Thanks everyone. I would love to get to go there. Im hoping i could figure it in my budget and schedule. Would anyone know off hand, i have mobility issues. I had gone to that area 2 years ago, just to Hard Rock Cafe. Anyway,i remember we had to park in a garage, then getting over to HRC seemed like such a long hike. Is it the same when you are going to the parks?I hope im explaining this right.
I just came back from USO/IOA. I was there for a cheer comp & had an injured cheerleader with me who needed a wheelchair to get through the parks. We rented one right where you enter from the parking garages. We had my DH drop all of us off at the drop-off area, and just went up the escalator or elevator. Right there was wheelchair rental, and it wasn't too far to get to CityWalk & the park entrances. There is also valet parking, VIP parking & handicapped parking, all close to the entrances. I have to say, the park was very doable with the wheelchair, and many times, the girls were able to get on the front of the lines because of it. I found the team members to be very helpful, as well.
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First trip DW--Nov. 1975; Senior Class Trip DW--Oct. 1979; First trip w/kids--Oct. 1995; Halloween at DW--Oct. 2002; Spring Break at DW--April 2004; Christmas/Pop Warner Nationals-POR--Dec. 2005;Cruisin'--April 2008; Mom/Son trip-POP--March 2010;Taggin' along w/DD on DH's conference-BWI--Oct. 2011; 50th birthday with the Gartner Geeks--Adults only!--BWI--Oct. 2012; The Trip That Almost Wasn't--BWI--Oct. 2013; We climbed The Summit (National Cheer Competition)--ASMovies--May 2014
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Michelle - with my step sisters!
Mostly so you can come back and report to me how good they were or weren't. 
Depending on the number of days you go (I think you said one or two?) you pay as little as $15 extra per day, but that can add up when it is $15 x 4 peeps!
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