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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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the girls will do the Pirate Adventure cruise one morning while DH is in conference. They'll do the one that leaves from GF, since we're staying at the Contemporary. so we'll monorail it over to the GF, but do you have any secrets for how I can make the most of those 2 peaceful hours? can't see leaving GF, since even on the monorail I'd waste too much time in transit to go anywhere. I was thinking I'd try to find a good flavoured coffee (can't stand the taste of coffee unless it's like a Starbucks caramel macchiato) and bring a book to enjoy. Not going to pay for the spa, I know that's a nice thought....
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When my daughter was at Tea with Alice several years ago, I walked down to the Polynesian, looked around, bought myself a Dole Whip at Captain Cook's, then walked back. That took at least an hour.
If you really want to treat yourself, you could get breakfast at Kona Cafe at the Polynesian. (Tonga Toast -- yum!)
The Polynesian used to have an area next to Kona Cafe that sold coffee in the morning -- I don't know if it still does, and if so how late it's open (it wasn't open when I was there, but that was in the afternoon).
Of course, reading a book at the Grand Floridian would be a fine idea too. The shops are worth a quick browse, but I'm not sure where else there is to go.
Depending on the time, take a tea? It really is a very nice relaxing time, and you could easily take up a couple of hours.
Otherwise, take your book out to the beach and just relax. Or stay in the lobby and people-watch.
I'd look at booking a treatment at the spa. I don't know if they're still doing it since their refurb, but I've done the soothing legs treatment before and that is wonderful!
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I'm a big reader, so I'd probably be with you and bring a book. You could wander the shops, and head out to the beach to relax and enjoy some quiet time. Unless you buy something at the shops, it's free!
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Looking forward to another Christmas with The Mouse!!
I would just enjoy the lobby and hopefully the piano player or the jazz band would be playing (though it might be too early in the day?)
I love the shops at the GF. Especially Basin White on the second floor (highly recommended!) and Summer Lace on the first floor where I've seen and bought items I had not seen anywhere else on property (including WoD).
2 hours can drag, so bringing a book and finding a place to just sit and relax is a great idea.
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Lori
“I’m in a Disney state of mind……”
Authorized Disney Vacation Planner w/Fairy Godmother Travel For a Pixie Dust Sprinkled Trip!
No, the pianist doesn't arrive until late afternoon, and the swing band in the evening. No luck there, unfortunately.
I can easily waste a couple hours wandering about the shops at the GF, repeatedly, in fact. There's Basin White with all those lovely soaps, the Mickey Mercantile for jewelry, toys, pins and souvenirs, some kids' costumes and other clothing, all-purpose Disney stuff, in short. Even the men's and women's clothing boutiques are fun to "wish-shop" in. Don't skip the resort gift shop which has the GF souvenir things as well as a smaller selection of postcards and toys than the Mercantile. I found a marvelous child-sized tea set there that came in a hatbox-type case. Our niece was thrilled with it. Didn't see one anywhere else at WDW. Every resort gift shop sells a few things exclusive to that shop, I was told, so do look there for some unique items if only for the fun of seeing what's available.
Also, take some time to check the lobby floor for some beautiful Disney character inlaid silhouettes. And the bouquets set here and there are gorgeous.
Oh, yeah. You can easily amuse yourself for a couple of hours in the GF's main building. Only club level guests can go above the 2nd floor, but the glass-enclosed elevator is the best way to go up and down anyway. Or try out that enormous staircase to the 2nd floor at least once. You'll be imagining yourself Cinderella at the ball even if you're wearing shorts and flipflops!
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“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” —Winnie-the-Pooh
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.
When my kids had their last pirate adventure at the GF, DH and I went to Kona Cafe for breakfast. We had plenty of time, but we also arrived a little bit early to check our kids in. Enjoy your time there.
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Disney Trips: BLT & Poly Bungalow 2016, VGF 2015, Fantasy 2015, Saratoga Springs Resort 2014, Grand Villa at VGF 2013, Fantasy 2013, BWV and Kidani Village 2011, BWV and Kidani Village 2010, BWV and Saratoga Springs Resort 2008,Beach Club Villas 2008,Villas at Wilderness Lodge 2006, BWV 2006, BCV 2005, HHI 2004,Polynesian 2003,Grand Floridian 2000/concierge, Honeymoon at Polynesian 1994,Polynesian 1980,Polynesian 1978
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Sue
When my DS did the pirate adventure several years ago; unfortunately I had been sick with a stomach bug the whole night before. I walked over and got myself a drink then found a shady, comfy place to seat and just enjoyed the scenery. Had I been feeling better, I would have either took the resort loop on the monorail; shopped Main St in MK or toured the GF and Poly.
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You can definitely do that!! The walk to the Poly isn't bad!!
Mary - not enough trips!
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