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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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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That's a tough question, as there is a LOT to see here. We've lived here for the last 17 years.
How long is the trip?
You need to see everything at and around the National Mall: Lincoln, Jefferson, FDR, Washington monuments, Capitol building, WWII memorial, Vietnam memorial, and as many of the museums as you can at least pop through.
White House (although you need to plan ahead if you want to go INSIDE).
Arlington National Cemetery.
The tour mobiles are a great option if you are pressed on time.
- Capitol
- White House
- Washington Monument
- Lincoln Memorial
- Second World War Memorial (between the above two)
- Roosevelt Memorial
- Vietnam Memorial
- Korean Memorial (these two are either side in front of the Lincoln Memorial)
- Roosevelt Memorial
- Arlington Cemetery
- National Air and Space Museum
That's a huge list, I know, but as has been said, there is so much to see in DC. With the memorials, apart from the Washington Monument, which of course you can go up, all of them are really "see from the outside". If you were to walk down from the Washington to the Lincoln Memorial, you'd cover off everything in that list, except the Roosevelt Memorial, which is stunning.
If you're short of time, I'd definitely get a tour. We did our own walking tour during the day of a lot of the memorials, then caught a night-time tour to see them all lit up - and that was well worth doing, as they all looked so different and so beautiful at night.
I think it really depends on how long you have and whether you will be traveling with children and how old they are. There is an awful lot to do and see and something for everyone.
I think you have a start. With young children the Zoo would be a not to be missed and I might skip some of the monuments. With older children and teens, the Holocaust museum is really worth wwhile.
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Definitely the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Wall, and my favorite the Korean War Memorial. The National Archives is very cool. Arlington is a must. If you get a chance see the changing of the guards it's fascinating. Mt. Vernon is beautiful. Washington built his house on a hill overlooking the Potomac. Any of the museums are great and they are massive!!!
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Last edited by karadisney; 01-02-2011 at 06:24 PM..
I agree with all of the museums, monuments, etc listed by everyone, particularly the Washington monument (be sure to get tickets in advance) and FDR Memorial. The American History Museum has a great hands-on childrens' section.
It really depends on your time here. Mt. Vernon is definitely a day long experience. If you do not have a lot of time, I would not recommend the zoo at this time. A good portion of it is under construction so it is not as appealing as it normally is. (I have even removed it from my field trip list at school this year. )
There is just so much to see in DC. My favorite was the WWII memorial because my dad fought in that war, but all of the monuments are just so impressive. We did visit Mt. Vernon which we also liked.
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How much time do you have?
I think the monuments are beautiful at night -- if you do a night tour, you'll knock out several monuments that way (they drop you off to visit, it's not just a drive by) so I'd suggest doing that before you do any daytime visits so you don't duplicate.
Personally, I think the zoo is underwhelming.
Mt. Vernon is nice, but it's a ways out of DC and if you are really constrained for time, I'd skip it.
We love the Archives, Museum of American History and Air and Space. Natural History is nice, but it's one I'd skip if I were short on time.
My DD is a huge Lincoln fan, so Ford's Theater is a must see for us. Not for most folks though.
Contact your Congressperson or Senator about tours -- they can get you into the White House. Ours also got us Bureau of Engraving and Printing tickets without waiting in line that morning. If you're going at a peak time, ask about doing your Capitol tour through the office, too, instead of the public line.
You can order tickets to go up the Washington Monument in advance online through the park service.
Thanks for all your input -- there will be 5 of us traveling -- 3 adults and 2 teens -- this is a 'birthday' trip over spring break and we're planning 2 full days and 2 half days (arrival and departure days) -- looks like monuments are a must, air and space museum, spy museum (although no one's mentioned that one), White House (already in touch with my senator)
KEEP THE SUGGESTIONS COMING ... especially if teens makes a difference
Thanks for all your input -- there will be 5 of us traveling -- 3 adults and 2 teens -- this is a 'birthday' trip over spring break and we're planning 2 full days and 2 half days (arrival and departure days) -- looks like monuments are a must, air and space museum, spy museum (although no one's mentioned that one), White House (already in touch with my senator)
KEEP THE SUGGESTIONS COMING ... especially if teens makes a difference
Spy Museum is good, but a bit pricey. Many other museums are free.
That's a VERY busy time of the year here - so be prepared for crowds. Where are you staying? I'd plan a day on the Tour Mobile, as that will get you around town pretty well, and then you could go back and do some of the museums you really enjoyed the next day. If you start at the Washington Monument, from there you can circle to WWII, Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean, Jefferson & FDR fairly easily (if you're walkers). So you may be able to do that your first day. The FDR is beautiful at night (actually many of the memorials are something to see at night - but I especially enjoy the FDR lit up).
Spy Museum is really interesting, but spendy. I don't know that it's a "must see" for a first trip to DC IMHO. Teens would love it, but my DH and 10 year old DD spent a solid day there this summer. If you are tight for time, you might want to consider whether its worth the money for only a couple of hours.
Are you driving or flying? How tired will you be the day you arrive? If you can do it, I'd do the monuments the first evening. Then I would give the teens a link to the Smithsonian website and ask them each to pick a museum that would be the focus of one of your full days-you could add others if you have time. Most are located right on the mall and pretty easy walking distance from one another. My kids as teens often enjoyed museums we wouldn't have otherwise gone in to but we were walking by. The less popular museums will be less crowded and like Disney, getting there early means less crowds.
I love the Natural History Museum, but it can get very crowded on breaks. Do you have one of the more popular ones?
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With the memorials, apart from the Washington Monument, which of course you can go up, all of them are really "see from the outside". If you were to walk down from the Washington to the Lincoln Memorial, you'd cover off everything in that list, except the Roosevelt Memorial, which is stunning. 
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