Forums Closed
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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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!
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Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.
To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.
If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.
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09-26-2006, 03:10 PM
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#181
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Go Red Sox!! :D
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Rhode Island - Red Sox Nation
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 27,451
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - THREAD 2 Day 3 Done Updated 9/15
Sounds like you had a great meal at Wolfgang Puck Cafe! (We were quite impressed with them in August...was surprised at how few people were actually in there....the service & food is terrific) Cirque sounds so intriguing! Someday!
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09-26-2006, 03:39 PM
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#182
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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: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - THREAD 2 Day 3 Done Updated 9/15
Fantastic pictures of Illuminations Marnie!!! Sounds like you had a great dinner and a wonderful time at Cirque!!
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09-26-2006, 05:07 PM
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#183
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Community Rank: Trekker 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: a Buckeye living in Connecticut
Posts: 1,818
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - THREAD 2 Day 3 Done Updated 9/15
Great pictures of Illuminations! and the food looks [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/yuma.gif[/img]
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09-26-2006, 07:39 PM
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#184
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Community Rank: Trailblazer 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 5,325
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - THREAD 2 Day 3 Done Updated 9/15
What a wonderful evening! You sure got alot done in one evening! The tiramisu looks wonderful. That is my favorite dessert but have never seen it in a cup! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
Can't wait for more!!
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09-27-2006, 12:01 PM
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#185
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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: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - THREAD 2 Day 3 Done Updated 9/15
Cirque du Soleil is on my list of things to try. I'm glad to hear Alexa enjoyed it! And your dinner looked fabulous! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] Looking forward to more.
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09-27-2006, 12:14 PM
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#186
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RED SOX NATION!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - THREAD 2 Day 3 Done Updated 9/15
<font color="blue"> Day 8 – Friday August 18th – We Venture back to the Dark Side, and EMH night at Epcot
It was an early morning again today, and we were up by 7 (or at least I was). I wanted to get to the dark side (this time Islands of Adventure) as soon as it opened so that we’d have time to do everything (and not have to leave late afternoon). I decided to walk over to the Boardwalk Bakery this morning to see if their use of CS credits at breakfast was more accommodating that the BC Marketplace. Nope [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] One item and a drink, that was it. I ended up with a bagel for Colin, chocolate chip muffin for Alexa, an egg sandwich for Matt, and I had a cinnamon roll [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] And I got 4 bottled waters. It was nice to be out walking on the boardwalk, as the Friendship boats hadn’t started running yet, and the water was very still (and it was quiet).
We ate our breakfast, got changed, and headed out to Universal Studios. We parked the car, and took the long, LONG walk to IoA. They seemed to be having issues this morning, mainly with the CM not knowing how to work the entrance machines, but finally we made it in. Just in time, because we had to make an emergency potty stop for Colin. I grabbed a map, and we tried to figure out what to do and where to go. My detail planning did not carry over to the Universal side [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] Matt decided he wanted to ride the Hulk (which I did not), so I took the kids to Suess Landing. First up for us was the Carousel, or I should say, the Caro-Suess-el. There wasn’t a sole on it. There was hardly a sole in Suess Landing for that matter.
Next up was the High in the Sky Suess Trolley Train Ride. I wasn’t sure if this was a roller coaster (the seats were curved and you were strapped in good) but it was just an elevated trolley ride thru Suess Landing. Quite good, I must say, after we finally reached the top of the long queue. When we got off, we jumped over to the other side, as there are two different trolleys and they travel two different routes. Very cute. By this time, Matt had finished and came to join us. I was snapping pictures hap-hazardly thru Suess Landing.
     
Next up was One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. I couldn’t find the entrance, and we ended up going in the front of the line way, but it didn’t matter as there was no one in line anyway. I got a little wet, but it could have been much worse.
     
Next up was the Cat in the Hat. I too didn’t know what to expect with this one either. I thought for some reason it was a movie, but I was wrong. It was a bit of a rough ride as well, especially if you were in the back of the car. I think we rode this one twice, because again, there was no line.
As we were leaving Suess Landing and heading toward the Lost Continent, we encountered the Grinch. Again, no one would take their picture with him, so it was just me. How can you not take your picture with the Grinch [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]
On our way thru the Lost Continent, we passed Mythos (the huge restaurant). Boy, it looked amazing from the outside. I can only imagine what it looks like from the inside. We decided to skip Poseidon’s Fury, since it was a walking tour. Matt wanted to ride Dueling Dragons, so he went for that, and I took the kids to the Flying Unicorn. The Flying Unicorn is a roller coaster. It’s a bit longer than Goofy’s Barnstormer though [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] The crowds came and went here, but it wasn’t that bad (maybe a 10 minute wait if that). We rode it at least 3 times, if not more. I’m not sure which of the Dueling Dragons Matt was on, but he said it was good (not as good as the Hulk).
We headed toward Jurassic Park. First stop was the Discovery Center. Boy, the kids had a blast in here with all the exhibits and hands on stuff.
   
The view outside of the center was also nice, and we snapped a few pictures there.
  
They had an extensive Dinosaur gift shop in here, as well as what looked to be a good counter service restaurant (we weren’t hungry yet). No one was up for getting soaked, so we skipped all the water rides (the River Adventure was here). It was more cloudy today, probably low to mid 80s, so we weren’t screaming to be cooled off. We headed for the Pteranodon Flyers. And encountered our longest wait in the park. It was close to 45 minutes, and when we got to the ride boarding area, we found out why. There were only about 4 or 5 of them going around, and it was a slow loading and unloading process.
 
It was a great ride around though, and a great idea (very original). It just isn’t made for quick turnarounds. On the way back to civilization, the kids played for a bit in Camp Jurassic, which is much like the Boneyard at Animal Kingdom.
Coming Up Next.....Lunch, EMH night, and let the packing begin
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09-27-2006, 12:40 PM
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#187
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Eileeeeeeen!™
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 28,861
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - THREAD 2 Day 3 Done Updated 9/15
Oh, I just love how Alexa looks so teeny tiny next to that huge T-rex!!
Great update - you made me actually want to go over to the "dark side" just to see all the Seuss stuff!
Eileen
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09-27-2006, 01:32 PM
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#188
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Community Rank: Trekker
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 1,904
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - THREAD 2 Day 3 Done Updated 9/15
[ QUOTE ]
We headed for the Pteranodon Flyers. And encountered our longest wait in the park. It was close to 45 minutes, and when we got to the ride boarding area, we found out why. There were only about 4 or 5 of them going around, and it was a slow loading and unloading process.
[/ QUOTE ]
The boys and our friends' children wanted desperately to ride this attraction, but Rob had mentioned that he read that is was slow and the waits were long. The wait time was 60 minutes. Fortunately for us, a storm was approaching and the ride closed due to the lightening. Maybe next time.
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09-27-2006, 01:33 PM
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#189
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Tinkerbell's Aunt
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: McHenry IL
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 13,254
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - THREAD 2 Day 3 Done Updated 9/15
Marnie - You've almost got me thinking of leaving WDW property sometime to venture to "the dark side". Not this trip of course [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shameonyou.gif[/img], but maybe some day. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]
More please...........
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09-27-2006, 01:52 PM
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#190
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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: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - THREAD 2 Day 3 Done Updated 9/15
I'm glad you seem to be enjoying your visit to the Dark Side, but I'm looking forward to your return to the magic!
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09-27-2006, 03:43 PM
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#191
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Community Rank: Adventurer 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 726
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - THREAD 2 Day 3 Done Updated 9/15
I just got all caught up, great report! I love your IOA pictures. Islands of Adventure has been ranked the number one theme park in the world for the past four years, and for good reason. It just can't be beat. And it sounds like you had a great time without many lines!
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09-27-2006, 03:51 PM
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#192
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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: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - THREAD 2 Day 3 Done Updated 9/15
Very interesting to hear about Islands of Adventure, as we're making our first visit there this time around. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
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09-27-2006, 04:21 PM
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#193
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Community Rank: Scout 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Grand Blanc, MI
Concierge Level: 4
Posts: 4,238
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - THREAD 2 Day 3 Done Updated 9/15
Another great update! You're tempting me to plan a day at IOA, I think my DD's would love those big coasters. I on the other hand prefer to stay where the magic is!
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09-27-2006, 05:41 PM
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#194
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Northern New England
Posts: 12,249
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - THREAD 2 Day 3 Done Updated 9/15
I love catching up with your report.
My kids are older and thrill riders so they love the Universal Parks. My DD is also a huge fan of the Universal hotels, which are really lovely and I highly recommend.
I am not a thrill rider but I love Suessland where I feel I am transported into another world. I could just sit and relax for hours.
Diane
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09-27-2006, 05:44 PM
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#195
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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: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip Report - THREAD 2 Day 3 Done Updated 9/15
Sounds like you had a great day!! Can't wait for more!!!
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