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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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On Tuesday DS and I are flying to Fla to our new home for the first time since closing. DD is staying home alone - for the first time - because of field hockey practice. My neighbors have offered to take her in and have dinner with her while I'm gone but she wants to try it solo. I wanted to leave DS with my parents but dads plate is full taking care of mom so I won't add to it. We're going for less than 48 hours but I have a 1,000 hours of work! Trying to keep it together and not stress but it hit me last night. Crap I have a lot to do, lol. The place is unfurnished so I am literally staring at square one. Biggest annoyance is having to get a home inspection done while there. Had one already but insurance co wants another by their inspector. Easier said than done when you live out of state. Its scheduled for the day I arrive. Oy. Stressed to about leaving DD. I know she'll do fine solo, it's the actual flying without her that I don't like. Keep telling myself that DH is looking out for all of us and to try and relax. Again, easier said than done Pixies I don't implode from stress before I even get there, lol. Is it too early for a cocktail?? JK. Wish me well on this crazy new adventure, Imma gonna need it...!!!...
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You'll be fine! Like bluejn says, Breathe!
How old is your DD?
(Assuming you're staying at the house Tuesday night) I would start with a couple of inflatable mattresses from Target (or similar discount store), with linens you bring with you. In fact, you can pre-order on the website for most stores and just pick it up when you get there (also, pick up some wine and glasses while you're there).
We'll have a similar situation with our FL house, but were able to buy the furniture from a condo that had just sold, so we won't be in as much of a rush. We will need two more beds as soon as we first get there, though.
Anyway, I know that's a lot of work to furnish a house from the ground up, but I'm trying to just do necessities first and take my time to find just what I want...I'd say try to do the same if you can.
Cheers on your first visit to the now that you own it!
Oh, dear! Try to relax. You'll accomplish as much as you can, but maybe not all of it. Time will let it all occur when it can. I'm sure your DD will be fine with the neighbors keeping an eye on her, but I do understand how you feel. for calm for you.
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
Are your parents close enough that your DD could stay with them? She can probably give your father a hand with your mother so earn her keep rather then be an imposition.
Is your DD OK alone at night? That would be the only thing I would worry about. If she is, it will be a good experience for her. Kids need to learn independence and as they do, they also increase their sense of competence.
The summer after high school, my middle guy got a job doing wildlife surverys for the first part of the summer. It paid really well, provided shared housing but we had a vacation to Florida planned. He was home alone (although in a group setting during the week) and did fine.
I'm with Ginger regarding square one. And I must say we have used the Target & Walmart store pickups and both are quick (Target is faster though) and time saving especially if you are unfamiliar with the store set up.
As for DD - the fact that your neighbors could check-in with her to make sure all is well and she wants to try it I would let her. Don't quash the desire to try independence. Pixies [emoji14] it all goes smoothly. Face it - you have dealt with far worse & greater stress so you can & will handle this! Hugs!
I wish I lived closer to your new home! I would help you out if needed! But, I am across the state from your new place! Is there anyone you know and trust close to your new home that could help you out with the inspection and any other items??
I do hope that everything goes smoothly for all of you as you navigate through this new adventure!