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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.
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!
Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!
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02-21-2006, 04:41 PM
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#1
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Community Rank: Globetrotter 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: California
Posts: 3,878
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Disneyland NEW UPDATE the \"Happiest Place on Earth\" Part 1,2, & 3
All girls trip well, sort of [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]
Cast of Characters
Myself
DD
DDBGF (DD best girlfriend)
MBGF (my best girlfriend)
DS (my sister)
DBIL#1 (sister's hubby)
DN#1 (nephew)
DN#2 (nephew)
DBIL#2 (DH's brother)
DBILF (DBIL#2 fiance)
So this was suppose to be an all girls trip and for the most part it was, with a little mixed company in there at the beginning. Also a bit of background on our hotels. I had decided to stay at the Howard Johnson's for the first three nights to save a bit of money. The last five nights we stayed at the Grand Californian Hotel on the DLR property. Now we always stay on property so, this was our first time staying at an off property site. Also we had a complimentary upgrade to a suite [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/applause.gif[/img] for any of the DLR hotels so, we chose the GCH.
Day 1 Fri
We drove to Reno to spend the night at the La Quinta Inn. Our Southwest flight was leaving at 7am the next morning. We live two hours from Reno so, it is easier to just spend the night before we leave. It has been along time since I have been to Reno and forgot about all the work they are doing on the freeway [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] We got checked in and then went to Claim Jumpers for diner [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] then it was back to the room for a good night sleep well, sort of, we tried.
Day 2 Sat
We were at the Reno/Tahoe airport at 5am and it was very crowded. It was the beginning of our many waits in line. I have not flown on SW since 2001, they have open seating. Who came up with this bright idea [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] I much perfer assigned seating. The flight took off on time and we made it to Las Vegas. We went to get in line and were repremanded by a this guy [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] who was sitting down, accusing us of cutting in line. What line? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] I told him that we were not in the habit of being rude and we did not know he was in line due to him sitting down. He then apologized to us and said it wasn't a full flight so it really didn't matter [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] I don't know how you are suppose to know there is a line when people are sitting down.
Anywho, we got to John Wayne airport on time. We navigated our way through the airport to claim our baggage. I am so happy we chose this airport. It is so much nicer then LAX.
While the others waited for our bags I went to get our rental car taken care of. We then loaded everything up and headed up to Anaheim. We checked into the Howard Johnson. Our room was ok, its your basic room, no frills. We had a theme park view but, the trees block your view. At this point I was trying to be positive about our stay off property.
We headed to Downtown Disney for a very early dinner at the Rainforest Cafe'. My sister was to meet us there. She brought my DN#2 with her. We had a great dinner. I was a bit bent out of shape with my DN#2 [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] He ordered a pizza and only ate the end of each piece that had most of the cheese on it. RF is not a cheap place to eat, he is also old enough (13) not to be doing such things [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shameonyou.gif[/img] Of course his mother thought it was funny well, I guess it was because I was paying for it. We parted company after dinner and the rest of us girls went to DTD for some window shopping and then it was off to Disneyland.
We rode Pirates, Indy, BTMRR, we were a bit [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] that the Haunted Mansion was down for rehab. We did a bit more window shopping on Main Street. We headed back to our rooms around 9pm. We got to see the fireworks show through the trees out our balcony at around 9:30ish. After that we tried to go to [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/snore.gif[/img]
Day 3 Sun
After a bit of a restless night we went to Mimi's for breakfast, great food. Today MBGF was moving to the GCH and we were a bit [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/envy.gif[/img] ous. After she checked in we met her at the Monorail Station and headed over to DL.
Now, before I start, I [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] my sister and her clan very much. But, they can be very annoying. First of all they are never where they say they are going to be and they are never on time, they are always late. The last thing I hate doing is waiting on other people to get their act together when it is my vacation [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shameonyou.gif[/img] DS and clan live 30 minutes south of DL and never go so, when they do go they are always in a rush to do everything. There are also only a few rides that they will go on and they are a bit uptight on the rides. No [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] for them.
We met up with DS, DBIL#1, DN#1&2 around 11am at the Hub. I was fine with seeing the boys and DBIL#1 until DBIL#1 wanted to be in control of everything. We did what he wanted to do [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] and only what he wanted to do [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] We broke for lunch at the Rancho del Zacola. The food is tasty there. After lunch DS and clan wanted to go on the Matterhorn, the line was an hour long and we had already been on it early while waiting for them to show up so, we parted company for the day at that time. Me, DD, and DDBGF went back to the HoJo for an afternoon rest because the evening was going to be a long one. We had balcony seating for Fantasmic [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
It was a very hot day, in the lower 80's. We got back to the room and there was no air conditioning [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] I called the front desk to inquire on why we had no air conditioning. They told us it was down for repairs [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] he also told us that he could move us to another room. That sounded more of a hassel to us then to just stick it out. I knew we could open the balcony door in the evening for some cool air. Doing that was also very noisy because of the I-5. At this point I am still trying to be positive on staying off property.
Back to DL to meet up with DBIL#2 and DBILF. They are much different then DS and clan. They are not as uptight. And they love to [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] on the rides like we do.
We met up with them and went on some rides and then it was time for myself, DD, DDBGF & MBGF to go to the Gallery for our balcony seating for Fantasmic. This is a very [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] show. We had never seen it before. Why, you say. Well, just bad timing on our part. Every other time we have been at the parks it was either down or it was on a day it wasn't showing. Anyways, it was nice to see it for the first time on the balcony. But, I have to tell you, I won't pay to see it again. It is way to pricy. But, I think if you can swing it at least once do it once.
After that it was back to hoofing it out of the park for our looooonnnnngggg walk back to the HoJo. The girls went straight for bed and I soaked in a hot bath.
Day 4 Mon
Our last night at the HoJo [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thewave.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thewave.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thewave.gif[/img] We are so excited about moving to the GCH tomarrow. We went on to Disney's California Adventure. I finally tried Tower of Terror. Now, real elevators give me a fright but, I had told my DD that I would try TT this time because I did not do it the last time we were there. Now, I know why I didn't do it the last time [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] it was my fear of elevators come true. I did not like it. Give me a rollercoaster any day, that I can handle, laughing all the way. But, TT really got to me so, I tried it and that was enough for me thank you very much.
We then headed to Muppets, then on Soarin, Screamin, and Mulholland Madness. Then it was off to the Pacific Wharf for a late lunch. We then went for our long walk back to the HoJo for a rest.
At around 6pm we went back to DL to meet up with everyone for the Parade of Dreams. This parade isn't very long but, the floats are beautiful, a lot of artistic work went into making them. After that it was up to the front of the castle to find a spot for the fireworks. DBIL#2 & DBILF went to find a spot for Fantasmic. The fireworks were of couse spectacular. After that we did some more rides before it was time to leave the park.
It was at this time my positivity about staying off property hit an all time low [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] I know a lot of you stay off property. But, I would much rather fork out the extra cash to stay on property for the amenities and convienence of staying on site. I will never again stay off site. I will save the money to be able stay on site any day.
All in all our first weekend was very good. We had lots of laughs and fun and for a weekend the crowds weren't to bad. More on the crowds later.
Coming up in Part 2, [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] Valentines Day [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] moving to the Grand Californian Hotel [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]
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02-21-2006, 06:35 PM
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#2
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Community Rank: Legend Extraordinaire 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Ohio Football Hall Of Fame
Posts: 42,304
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Re: Disneyland the \"Happiest Place on Earth\" Part 1
Sounds like you are really having a great time Susan!!! Can't wait to hear more about your trip!!
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02-21-2006, 07:50 PM
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#3
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RED SOX NATION!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854
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Re: Disneyland the \"Happiest Place on Earth\" Part 1
Great start [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] Can't wait to hear about the GCH [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img]
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02-21-2006, 09:08 PM
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#4
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Batman's Gal/Mickey's Pal
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Owensboro, KY USA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 95,254
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Re: Disneyland the \"Happiest Place on Earth\" Part 1
Good start! Can't wait to her about the Grand Califorian.
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02-21-2006, 09:16 PM
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#5
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Northern NV
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 12,516
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Re: Disneyland the \"Happiest Place on Earth\" Part 1
I know you're going to LOVE the GCH--my kids even agreed not to go to DL as often if we could always stay there! Waiting impatiently for the next installment! Yeah, I know I'm not even done with my November report yet [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]
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02-21-2006, 09:20 PM
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#6
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Community Rank: Explorer 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Illinois
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 9,564
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Re: Disneyland the \"Happiest Place on Earth\" Part 1
Great start, I hope to get to DL one day. Thanks for sharing.
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02-22-2006, 01:53 AM
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#7
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PassPorter Message Board Manager
 PassPorter Guide Author
Community Rank: Legend VIP 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285
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Re: Disneyland the \"Happiest Place on Earth\" Part 1
Great start - I can't wait to hear all about GCH! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]
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03-28-2006, 07:35 PM
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#8
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 7,386
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Re: Disneyland NEW UPDATE the \"Happiest Place on Earth\" Part 1,2, & 3
i thoroughly enjoyed your trip report and reading it made me very glad that we decided to stay on site, even though it's not at the Grand Californian. I'm hoping that the Disneyland Hotel will also be a great place to stay.
Joy
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03-29-2006, 03:54 PM
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#9
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New York
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 7,960
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Re: Disneyland NEW UPDATE the \"Happiest Place on Earth\" Part 1,2, & 3
Excellent report! Thanks for sharing it with us!
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