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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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We are heading down to Gatlinburg for our first time, finally! We have put this off for so many years and I am looking forward to it.
We have rented a fantastic cabin for the few nights we are there and are making tentative plans. I'm working on searching PP for info but meanwhile, got any suggestions?
Best part is even though it's a short 7 hour drive, we are stopping at my aunts house and staying for the night. I am sure we will be stuffed to the gills while we are there. And spoiled rotten.
I'm sure the Smokey Mountains in the spring will be awesome! Dollywood is in Pigeon Forge as well as other family entertainment. The crowds shouldn't be too bad since it's in April, not summer. Remember to check out the Indian Reservations and the Ober Gatlinburg gondola ride. The scenery is terrific!!!
have a great time. i loved that gondola ride as well. there used to be an ice rink at the top. there was a great bbq place there...i think it was called calhoun's or something like that. delish...there are so many little shops and places. i was surprised how crowded gatlinburg really is...esp. on the weekends. renting a cabin and having some family time is gonna be mahvelous for you!
We are going at the beginning of May for the first time as well. We are staying at the Double Tree. It's a round hotel and looks awesome.
I have been researching a bit and there is so much to do there. We will be doing a zip line tour which looks like so much fun. We will also be checking out Dollywood and Ober Gatlinburg. We love amusement parks and then just doing some shopping in the downtown. There are so many hiking trails, horseback riding through the smokies, atv tours, etc.
We will only be there for two days as we are on our way to Disney. We are driving.
there was a place there that advertised 'live bunny golf'. we never got to stop and see what the place was really golf with live bunnies or bunnies running around the course.....let me know if its still there.
there was a place there that advertised 'live bunny golf'. we never got to stop and see what the place was really golf with live bunnies or bunnies running around the course.....let me know if its still there.
Oh dear God, Bunny Golf!!! I never went there, but yes, it was live rabbits all over the course. It's closed now.
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My boys LOVE the Aquarium. They kept begging us to go back for years! We also did "hillbilly golf" where you ride up the mountain and play mini golf as you walk down. My DH did that as a child so we had to relive the experience. So much to do in Gatlinburg!
We love Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge! So many attractions to choose from! Our favorites are the Titanic Museum, Dollywood, Country Tonight, The Aquarium, and we always have to stop to ride Wild Woody in Pigeon Forge and play putt-putt. Our fave putt putts courses are Ripley's Old Mcdonald's Farm (just a short drive in Sevierville), Walden's Landing Firehouse golf (my DH is a vol. fireman, he loves this one) and Hillbilly golf in G'burg. And I can't forget Cades Cove. It's a scenic drive with old cabins, churches, hiking trails, just a beautiful scenic drive! If you get a chance eat at Bennett's BBQ in Pigeon Forge (not the Bennett's in G'burg) they have the best bbq in town!! Also, if you love love pancakes, The Pancake Pantry in G'burg is very good! But you have to get there early, the line sometimes is out the door!! We live 4 hours away so we visit there often, spent Thanksgiving (2011) up there Hope you have a great time!!
OH, I almost forgot there is a Disney Store in the outlets in Sevierville! This of course is a must-do for us every trip up there! The Old Mcdonald's farm putt-putt course is at the entrance of the outlets
have a great time. i loved that gondola ride as well. there used to be an ice rink at the top. there was a great bbq place there...i think it was called calhoun's or something like that. delish...there are so many little shops and places. i was surprised how crowded gatlinburg really is...esp. on the weekends. renting a cabin and having some family time is gonna be mahvelous for you!
Oh Sheri.......we have room in our cabin for you and Dave. I would do the gondola if you hold my hand. Otherwise this gal ain't gettin' on something that hangs from a tiny wire and goes waaaaaaaay above tree tops.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cdnmickeyfan
We are going at the beginning of May for the first time as well. We are staying at the Double Tree. It's a round hotel and looks awesome.
I have been researching a bit and there is so much to do there. We will be doing a zip line tour which looks like so much fun. We will also be checking out Dollywood and Ober Gatlinburg. We love amusement parks and then just doing some shopping in the downtown. There are so many hiking trails, horseback riding through the smokies, atv tours, etc.
We will only be there for two days as we are on our way to Disney. We are driving.
Have alot of fun on your trip!!!
Very cool! Dollywood and Ober do not do anything for me, so they are off my list. I saw those zipline tours but quickly scratched that off the list.
I really like the sound of your hotel! Maybe I will see it and take pictures.
Quote:
Originally Posted by oldmom
there was a place there that advertised 'live bunny golf'. we never got to stop and see what the place was really golf with live bunnies or bunnies running around the course.....let me know if its still there.
okay now I have a very funny mental picture. You know E, I have room for you.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by my2girls
We enjoyed the aquarium when we went. My kids liked the Ripley's museum and the glow in the dark mini golf.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jjjmranch
My boys LOVE the Aquarium. They kept begging us to go back for years! We also did "hillbilly golf" where you ride up the mountain and play mini golf as you walk down. My DH did that as a child so we had to relive the experience. So much to do in Gatlinburg!
The aquarium is definitely on our list!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoJayMom
We love Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge! So many attractions to choose from! Our favorites are the Titanic Museum, Dollywood, Country Tonight, The Aquarium, and we always have to stop to ride Wild Woody in Pigeon Forge and play putt-putt. Our fave putt putts courses are Ripley's Old Mcdonald's Farm (just a short drive in Sevierville), Walden's Landing Firehouse golf (my DH is a vol. fireman, he loves this one) and Hillbilly golf in G'burg. And I can't forget Cades Cove. It's a scenic drive with old cabins, churches, hiking trails, just a beautiful scenic drive! If you get a chance eat at Bennett's BBQ in Pigeon Forge (not the Bennett's in G'burg) they have the best bbq in town!! Also, if you love love pancakes, The Pancake Pantry in G'burg is very good! But you have to get there early, the line sometimes is out the door!! We live 4 hours away so we visit there often, spent Thanksgiving (2011) up there Hope you have a great time!!
OH, I almost forgot there is a Disney Store in the outlets in Sevierville! This of course is a must-do for us every trip up there! The Old Mcdonald's farm putt-putt course is at the entrance of the outlets
Disney Outlet? We're so there!! Cades Cove certainly has an appeal to me.
We are really looking forward to spring time and hopefully flowers in bloom!
I lived in East TN for the first 23 years of life, so I'm pretty familiar with that area. You've got some great suggestions already!
Cades Cove is a must-do, of course. Do you hike? Visit Laurel Falls if so.
If you want something a little off the beaten path, try Parrot Mountain, a very neat exotic bird sanctuary with beautiful gardens.
Great shopping is available all over of course. I like the Tanger Outlets in Sevierville, and The Village in Gatlinburg best. Would the Bass Pro Shop interest you? There's a huge one in Kodak, it's pretty awesome!
The Titanic Museum is probably worth a visit, though I thought it was kind of lame for the price.
Maybe a Hummer or Jeep tour through the mountains?
Do y'all like baseball? The Tennessee Smokies should start their season in April, could be a nice evening activity.
For mini-golf, my family's favs are the Ripley's Old McDonald Golf, and Davy Crockett Golf in Gatlinburg (which smells like Disney for some reason-I think it must be the chemicals they use in the water, lol).
You might be interested in the Great Smoky Mountain Arts and Crafts Community, the largest collection of independent artisans in the country.
You might take a day-trip to Asheville and go to the Biltmore Estate, it's gorgeous.
You probably will be cooking some if you are renting a cabin, so just a tip: Food City in Gatlinburg is the easiest supermarket to get in and out of quickly, and it also has a gas station for a one-stop-shop.
Best restaurants in the area:
In Pigeon Forge/Sevierville- The Partridge and Pear, Little Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse/Sushi, The Chop House, and Alamo Steakhouse. I've heard great things about Tony Gore's BBQ and Taste of India, but have never been to either.
In Gatlinburg - Mellow Mushroom Pizza, Bubba Gump Shrimp, Cherokee Grill, The Greenbrier, and the Pancake Pantry (my fav in the whole area).
Also, if you are looking for a back road into G-burg from Sevierville in case of terrible traffic, I can help with that, lol.
I lived in East TN for the first 23 years of life, so I'm pretty familiar with that area. You've got some great suggestions already!
Cades Cove is a must-do, of course. Do you hike? Visit Laurel Falls if so.
If you want something a little off the beaten path, try Parrot Mountain, a very neat exotic bird sanctuary with beautiful gardens.
Great shopping is available all over of course. I like the Tanger Outlets in Sevierville, and The Village in Gatlinburg best. Would the Bass Pro Shop interest you? There's a huge one in Kodak, it's pretty awesome!
The Titanic Museum is probably worth a visit, though I thought it was kind of lame for the price.
Maybe a Hummer or Jeep tour through the mountains?
Do y'all like baseball? The Tennessee Smokies should start their season in April, could be a nice evening activity.
For mini-golf, my family's favs are the Ripley's Old McDonald Golf, and Davy Crockett Golf in Gatlinburg (which smells like Disney for some reason-I think it must be the chemicals they use in the water, lol).
You might be interested in the Great Smoky Mountain Arts and Crafts Community, the largest collection of independent artisans in the country.
You might take a day-trip to Asheville and go to the Biltmore Estate, it's gorgeous.
You probably will be cooking some if you are renting a cabin, so just a tip: Food City in Gatlinburg is the easiest supermarket to get in and out of quickly, and it also has a gas station for a one-stop-shop.
Best restaurants in the area:
In Pigeon Forge/Sevierville- The Partridge and Pear, Little Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse/Sushi, The Chop House, and Alamo Steakhouse. I've heard great things about Tony Gore's BBQ and Taste of India, but have never been to either.
In Gatlinburg - Mellow Mushroom Pizza, Bubba Gump Shrimp, Cherokee Grill, The Greenbrier, and the Pancake Pantry (my fav in the whole area).
Also, if you are looking for a back road into G-burg from Sevierville in case of terrible traffic, I can help with that, lol.
Happy planning!
Thanks Alissa.....that was so much amazing information. I know this isn't my thread but like I said earlier in my post we are going as well and your suggestions are great for us too, so again thanks very much.
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okay now I have a very funny mental picture. You know E, I have room for you.....
I lived in East TN for the first 23 years of life, so I'm pretty familiar with that area. You've got some great suggestions already!
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