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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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
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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.
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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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This is the year we finally are going to SeaWorld . I have a few questions since we've never been there.
In looking at the SeaWorld site, there appear to be 6 hotels that are directly affiliated with SeaWorld and give the front of the line pass and the all day dine with the package plus early entry if its an option. My question is: since we are not going until after the 15th of August is the front of the line pass really necessary? I can save money on the hotel and of course food if we don't stay "on property". My family does want to experience the rollercoasters at SeaWorld and we are only planning to spend one day there before heading into Disney.
I have looked several places and haven't been able to find the prices of food at SeaWorld only the menu. Does anyone know if there is one posted somewhere.
How far out does SeaWorld post the early entry days. Can't seem to find that out either.
Thanks in advance for any and all information you may have.
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We were there at spring break last year, which was a busy time. We didn't realize there was any king of "express" pass to buy, but it would have been a waste of money. The longest line we waited in was for about 30 min. and that was the Manta, which was their main ride. No long lines for Krakken or other rides either. Be prepared to have to put backsacks, etc in lockers. Unlike Disney, you can't take that stuff on with you. We stayed on International Drive, which has an abundance of affordable hotels. The ride was an easy drive and about 10 minutes to Sea World. We got there around 10 in the morning and saw the shows, fed the sea lions, sharks, AND rode the rides we wanted. We did eat at a buffet there and weren't all that impressed.
Early entry days (if I remember correctly) are Monday's and Tuesday's but I don't remember where I read that but wherever I read it, I was left with the impression it was for anyone with a valid ticket. I could be wrong but if I find it again, I'll post info on it.
Food prices: they're close to Disney prices from what I remember, although if you do the Pizza/Pasts buffet, it's really reasonable. When we ate there in 2011, it was something like $35 for the three of us (all adults). It was all you could eat/free refills except on the alcoholic drinks. Those were a completely separate cost. Ice creams/drinks were all within the ballpark of Disney too.
Rides: we never did them so I can't answer as to the length of the line
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Thanks for the info. I hate to pay the high price to stay on property if I don't have to. The all day dine could save money maybe but my DS only eats pizza and hot dogs so we're limited as to where we can eat. I'm thinking I'll go the cheaper route. When we went to Universal we stayed at one of their partner hotels and it really didn't save me any money then either.
We are going in Aug too. My dd who is 7 and our friend is coming with us. I just hope she likes SeaWorld. Do you think she will? We were at the one in San Diego but she was only 13 mths old at the time. I really wanted to take her to Universal studios but I think it is too old for her. Ds is going with dh and he is looking forward to it because he thinks the rides at WDW are too young for him now-he is 12.
Oh, I read the food is very limited at SeaWorld for the meal deals. We are steering clear of them.
A friend of ours that lives there went on the new ride, and didn't like it much.
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A friend of ours that lives there went on the new ride, and didn't like it much
Which one is that - the penguin one? If it is, I'm not surprised. Sea World really built it up and when I saw some YouTube videos of it, I was like "you've got to be kidding me, that looks so lame." I like that they rebuilt the penguin exhibit but I for one could do without the ride (and the temperature in there - I've heard it's only 30 degrees - BRRRRR).
Which one is that - the penguin one? If it is, I'm not surprised. Sea World really built it up and when I saw some YouTube videos of it, I was like "you've got to be kidding me, that looks so lame." I like that they rebuilt the penguin exhibit but I for one could do without the ride (and the temperature in there - I've heard it's only 30 degrees - BRRRRR).
Yes, the penguin ride. She said the lines were long and it was such a disappointment. I hope we can see the penguins without going on the ride. I agree the temp change will be harsh even with being used to growing up with it for all my life except this past winter when we moved, the body still can't handle it in summer (did that make sense)
Do you think dd would like Sea World better than Universal????
Yes, the penguin ride. She said the lines were long and it was such a disappointment. I hope we can see the penguins without going on the ride. I agree the temp change will be harsh even with being used to growing up with it for all my life except this past winter when we moved, the body still can't handle it in summer (did that make sense)
Do you think dd would like Sea World better than Universal????
We haven't done Universal yet but we did do IOA and it was almost all coasters. I didn't ride but one ride in the whole park since I don't like coasters. My children however, love coasters so they had a blast. They are really looking forward to SW this year and they are interested in the coasters there which is why I was wondering about the front of the line pass.
The packages they offer say the early entry is included if its offered that day and doesn't mention anything about having to have the combo ticket. We would actually be going on a Friday anyway so I suppose that is a moot point.
Personally, if I'm gonna spend this kind of money for two nights I'd just as soon stay a couple days at a value resort on Disney ya know. I'd love to experience the new Art of Animation Resort and if I could get an AP or military discount I may come out ahead. Guess its time to make a new spreadsheet!!!
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Do you think dd would like Sea World better than Universal????
You know your daughter better than I do. I know Abby likes it better because she'd rather see the marine animals and shows than ride roller coasters (we don't even do the rides at SW - just the shows and "exhibits") and to us Universal is nothing but roller coasters and "characters" she doesn't even recognize. She would recognize some of them (Harry Potter, the Mummy, ET) but not enough to go there.
We spent 3 nights at the Renaissance SeaWorld over Memorial Day weekend, and they had early entry for onsite guests that Saturday. The attractions open during early entry were very limited. Neither of my boys are tall enough for the roller coasters there, but we were able to do Antarctica with about a 15 minute wait during early entry. Had we waited any longer we would have been very disappointed. Later in the day, the waits were up to 4 hours. Granted, that was its opening weekend, but it's definitely not worth that kind of wait.
I thought we got a great deal at the Renaissance. We chose the kids free package (free SeaWorld tickets for the kids with adult ticket purchase) instead of the all day dining package, and our entire package (3 nights plus SW tickets) was just over $500. The Renaissance was very nice and the location was great - we just crossed the street and we were in SeaWorld's parking lot.
SeaWorld is more animal shows than rides, so it's not worth it imho. The shows are great and so are the coasters. They're real coasters, not like BTMRR or EE
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Personally, if I'm gonna spend this kind of money for two nights I'd just as soon stay a couple days at a value resort on Disney ya know
And that's not to mention that SW really isn't all that far from Disney - maybe 10 to 15 minutes away. It can take 10 to 15 minutes to get from your resort just to a Disney theme park by driving.
It's been a long time since we went to SeaWorld. We enjoyed it. Some of the shows are amazing, like Blue Horizons. Don't even know if they still have it. Mantra wasn't built yet when we were there last. Loved the Sealion show, hilarious. The After Dark show was great too. There were only 2 rides when we were there, Kraken & Atlantis. We liked both. But I love thrill rides.
We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn next to Renissance. It was a short walk over, across parking lot. We could see the fireworks from our room. I don't recall early entry, so maybe that hadn't started. Looks like things have changed.
I don't know that you'd need early entry or Front of line. If you follow the same principals as rides at wdw. Go at opening and hit the coasters first, then walk around and see the shows. You will need to prioritize what shows you want to see, because of show times and locations you won't hit them all in one day.
I pretty much figured we could do it all in one day so I booked us into POFQ!!! We've never stayed there before so I'm super excited about that. With the military discount it was just as cheap as staying closer to SW and I myself would much rather be at Disney.
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. I have a few questions since we've never been there.
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ya know. I'd love to experience the new Art of Animation Resort and if I could get an AP or military discount I may come out ahead. Guess its time to make a new spreadsheet!!!
ya know
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