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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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
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.
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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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After 26 years I'm returning to Disney Land! I can't imagine how much has changed and looking forward to seeing what hasn't! My son chose Disneyland and mommy for his special 16th birthday trip! I'm so excited but completely lost as how to start planning. His birthday is Nov 15 so we want to go after Thanksgiving. So is that a good time? I know it's perfect for WDW. Is four days enough or should we do five? We are DVC members but also Hilton Honors members so is better to stay on site or or just as good at the "neighbor" hotels? What things are a must for a 16 year old boy that loves traditional and sorcerer Mickey but not huge into roller-coasters? Any special tours that are a must do? Restaurants? Loved the fast pass+ and Disney experience for our recent trip to WDW do they have anything similar at DL?
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What fun, and how sweet a teenager wants to go to DLR with his mom! You must be doing a good job rearing him.
My first thought for a must-do is the Indiana Jones ride. It's a bumpy ride in a jeep-type vehicle, similar to the one you ride in Dinosaur at AK. Also, don't miss Toon Town...it's totally different from the former ToonTown Fair at MK--even Mickey's and Minnie's houses are quite different in every respect.
You'll love Cars Land in DCA--Radiator Springs Racers takes you through scenes from Cars, then you have a race with another car outside through Ornament Valley. Very fun....and there's a single rider line when it gets busy.
There's a new stage show at DLR, Mickey's Magical Map, which is nice. Mickey's in it, so if he's a big fan, be sure to see that. Oh, and there's a Monsters, Inc. dark ride at DCA that's fun and unique.
Four days would be ample, ample time to do everything several times. If you like going to things more than once, you could stay five days. However, if I were in your place, I'd use a day or two to see more of Southern California, particularly if your son hasn't been there before.
I can't advise you about the hotels, sorry--we've been going to a symposium with my DH's work, so we've stayed at the Grand Californian...tough, I know, but he's retiring this year and we probably won't be back any time soon.
When we went in 2012, we stayed at one of the good neighbor hotels and found it was just as close to the parks as on site would have been. We did the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour and enjoyed it a lot. Four days should be plenty. That will give you a day in each of the two parks, one day in Downtown Disney and a day to relax or redo the rides you like best. Make sure to save a morning for Carsland, it has really great theming, but the Racers ride lines can get really long quickly. As far as I know, at this point they are still on the old fastpass system. Hope this helps!
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Waiting for our next adventure after enjoying our Alaska cruise. Jenn
If you can get into the Grand Californian and you have the points to do it, I say go for it. The issue will be whether you can get in at the seven month mark, but we've managed it a couple of times before. We absolutely love the rooms there and having your own "private" entrance into the California Adventure.
I'd say four days is enough for Disneyland, but it does depend whether or not you want to visit anything else in Los Angeles. If you do, then a fifth day may work for you.
I agree, if you can, stay at the Grand Californian!
That is the only place we stay because the accommodations are great, but the location is wonderful, with your private entrance into California Adventure. By also staying here or on Disney property, you get the early magic morning hours, which is a GREAT for Cars Land. For restaurants your son might enjoy the Blue Bayou located in New Orleans Square. The food is above average, but the atmosphere is excellent because it is inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Reservations should be made in advance, and try to get a table near the water. For an upscale restaurant, I recommend Carthay Circle (either lunch or dinner) in California Adventure or Napa Rose at the Grand Californian. Food is excellent at both places, and again reservations are highly suggested. In downtown Disney, again a private entrance from the Grand Californian, is the Napoli Italian Restaurant and it is very good. I think your son will love Soarin" in California Adventure and it is very close to the entrance of the GC Hotel. Have fun!!
Carsland blew us away! It was our whole reason for going and it didn't disappoint in the least!!!
We stayed at a hotel near the entrance...though it wasn't a Good Neighbor hotel. It was extremely close and any of the good neighbor hotels are right there and it's very nice.
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Stephanie- Mom to Jaden and Emerson, Wife to Keith, Novelist
I'm an independent agent with Fairytale Journeys, specializing in Disney vacations!
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We did a 5 day pass and it was MORE than enough. 4 will be plenty. Do you have time to stay longer and tour So Cal at all? We did a ton of fun things in Hollywood.
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Stephanie- Mom to Jaden and Emerson, Wife to Keith, Novelist
I'm an independent agent with Fairytale Journeys, specializing in Disney vacations!
Visit my Facebook page!
You'll do just fine with four days at Disneyland. Though if you plan to go to Knott's as well or do any sightseeing in the area you will probably want to add another day or two. I second having your son ride both Indiana Jones and the Radiator Springs racers. I've never stayed in any of the resort hotels but I know many of the good neighborhood hotels are in fact closer to the park than the the Disney Hotel or Paradise Pier.
Thank you all. Unfortunately, we won't be touring anything else.I spent my teen years living in San Diego so I wish I could take all four of my kids to see where I grew up. They have never even been to the west coast. That makes this trip extra special. My oldest daughter picked WDW with a backstage tour of AK and my second daughter picked Daddy and massive roller coaster fun at Cedar point for their trips. My oldest does want to go out to SD and see the zoo so maybe college graduation in a couple of years. Keep the awesome advice coming!
No fast pass + or magic bands yet. The good neighbor hotels are close, but I would always suggest staying on property. Its more fun, you get the magic morning hours, and you can use the private entrance for California Adventure if you stay at any of the 3 resort properties. You can take the monorail to DL if you don't want to walk through DTD. Plus, all the resorts have so many cool features like movie rooms, arcade rooms, awesome pools, etc. Cars Land and World of Color are not to be missed at CA. There is so much fun to be had at DL I don't even know where to begin, but Splash Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean are pretty awesome. Have a great time!
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My 15 year old godson loves steakhouse 55 and pizza port in tomorrowland. Rainforest cafe is also fun.
Last summer we went for 5 days. We did two park days, then a sleep-in-then-lay-by-the-pool-and-fancy-dinner day, then two more park days. I have nephews nearby so they come meet us and we all go swimming.
My best advice is to get up early and go to the early magic hours, you can get in so many rides before the locals arrive, even in the summer. Then go rest at the pool during the afternoon heat and hit the park in the evening again.
As for where to stay, I think you can only use dvc points at the grand Californian. It is a really awesome hotel and the pool is great (try the nachos). My friends and I usually stay at Paradise pier as it is cheaper and we like the waterslide and the laid back atmosphere.
If you can afford it, the Blue Bayou has so much atmosphere, it's amazing. I opted out on our last trip, there was nothing on the menu I wanted to pay that much for and the reviews weren't too great re: the price to quality...BUT, you cannot beat that atmosphere. It's worth it to pretend you are looking for your friend and go in to ust have a quick peek. It's a small restaurant, less than 30 tables for sure.
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I can't imagine how much has changed and looking forward to seeing what hasn't! My son chose Disneyland and mommy for his special 16th birthday trip!
I'm so excited but completely lost as how to start planning. His birthday is Nov 15 so we want to go after Thanksgiving. So is that a good time? I know it's perfect for WDW. Is four days enough or should we do five? We are DVC members but also Hilton Honors members so is better to stay on site or or just as good at the "neighbor" hotels? What things are a must for a 16 year old boy that loves traditional and sorcerer Mickey but not huge into roller-coasters? Any special tours that are a must do? Restaurants? Loved the fast pass+ and Disney experience for our recent trip to WDW do they have anything similar at DL?
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Waiting for our next adventure after enjoying our Alaska cruise. 
Jenn
The issue will be whether you can get in at the seven month mark, but we've managed it a couple of times before. We absolutely love the rooms there and having your own "private" entrance into the California Adventure. 
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