A Disney Trip 10 Years in the Making. PTR 10/14 - 23/2011 - Page 20 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
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.
I like the Peter Pan Theme idea. You could go real simple even just with older clothes to cut up a bit for the lost boys. I can't remember if you have a neice going but someone could juat wear a blue bow in their hair to be Wendy and someone could even make a barrel or a kerchief to be Nana. Great idea on selling the stroller. You will not regret bringing it. Our DS, 4, actually fell asleep in his umbrella stroller a couple of times. We also brought a cooler bag with snacks and drinks and left it in the stroller most times when we were in lines. It was nice not to have to lug everything. Eeek on the mouse. Great stories, keep 'em coming.
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
Have been enjoying your TR, great solution to your stroller question. We are taking our grandsons in December and are trying to figure out what to do regarding strollers ourselves, do we rent when we get there or bring one along. Have a great trip.
I found your report yesterday and just finished reading all that you have so far. Your plans look great and I'm sure you and Evan will have a great time! I enjoyed all of your stories and look forward to more.
Registered Message Board Members Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
Glad you got the stroller figured out! I think doing a Peter Pan theme for your family would be pretty easy--there are tons of options (Peter, Wendy, Michael, John, Capt Hook, Smee, Tinkerbell, Tigerlily, Lost Boys, Indians, and Pirates!) and most of them would be pretty easy to do--Capt Hook would probably be the only difficult one. Definitely Dress up!
LOL!! Your story reminds me of our last trip in 2009 when we saw Chubby Checker. I've never seen so many senior citizens lose their minds in my life. I WIIIISHHH I had a camera on me at the time because it was hilarious watching 75 year old women swing their wig and scream at Chubby Checker. The whole thing was hilarious and I loved it. My then 5 year olds looked at me like what do you have us watching?
As for a stroller, I got a lot of flack about bringing a double stroller to Disney when my twins were almost 6 years old. I didn't care and it was the best decision I made on that trip. The boys walked most of the time, however there is no way I would've been able to carry them if they got exhausted. Plus, it held their bookbags and was a great seat while waiting for parades and fireworks. My kids at that age, NEVER used a stroller however your talking Disney and it's better to have it than NOT. You should tell your sister to bring one just in case. They do not count it as baggage on most airlines although it's always a good idea to check and they had it open and ready for them at the door when I walked out. It was GREAT. I am really enjoying your trip plans. Great stories. My kids have watched Snow White, Pinnochio, Lion King and last night they watched Finding Nemo and I have It's a Bug's life DVR'd.
Thanks for following along. My mom would have been right there with the other ladies and Chubby Checker. I'm glad I decided on bringing the stroller as I think it will help Evan conserve his energy at times and hopefully avoid the melt downs. Last night Evan watched Lion King 1 1/2.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ecmiller
When we went in 2004, DD was almost 6. We did not take a stroller and she made out OK in most of the parks. But when we were at Epcot, I rented one. I explained to her that we could go faster and see more things than if she walked and she was OK with that. The other parks-we went at her pace, but there was a lot I wanted to see at Epcot and knew that a stroller would be helpful.
Epcot is huge and AK is so hot so I'm happy I'm bringing my stroller.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
What a great solution to the stroller issue! Very smart of you to have contacted stroller rentals. I love the Bjorn Again story. Have you checked the "Eat to the Beat" band schedule for this year? Maybe you can re-live the moment!
Both Sugar Ray and Howard Jones are there when we go so maybe I can catch one of the shows.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jennie622
Score on selling the stroller while on vacation!!
I will admit there are days that I would like to crawl in a stroller and have someone push me around the parks!
Thanks - I would love for someone to push me in a stroller at Disney
Quote:
Originally Posted by OCEANGRLLG
Very cool deal...sellin the stroller after you are done with it!
- I know - Yay for me
Quote:
Originally Posted by goofysdtr
Great solution to the stroller question! Our first trip, the boys were 5 (& a half ) & 9. We rented a double stroller & they both used it some of the time. That's just a whole lot of walking, & even if they can keep up for awhile, going day after day catches up eventually. I think your plan is perfect!
Thanks - I agree I think my 10 year old will need a stroller move than my 5 year old son.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rhinohunter
Great idea on teh stroller.
Thanks - I'm happy about it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ttnmama
I like the Peter Pan Theme idea. You could go real simple even just with older clothes to cut up a bit for the lost boys. I can't remember if you have a neice going but someone could juat wear a blue bow in their hair to be Wendy and someone could even make a barrel or a kerchief to be Nana. Great idea on selling the stroller. You will not regret bringing it. Our DS, 4, actually fell asleep in his umbrella stroller a couple of times. We also brought a cooler bag with snacks and drinks and left it in the stroller most times when we were in lines. It was nice not to have to lug everything. Eeek on the mouse. Great stories, keep 'em coming.
I do have a niece going but she would want to be TinkerBell.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shari2137
Have been enjoying your TR, great solution to your stroller question. We are taking our grandsons in December and are trying to figure out what to do regarding strollers ourselves, do we rent when we get there or bring one along. Have a great trip.
Thanks. I know the stroller debate is a big one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Love the stroller solution!
Thanks, me too!
Quote:
Originally Posted by debrabrown
Very sweet solution lady!
I'm so creative so times it scares me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ESL teacher
I found your report yesterday and just finished reading all that you have so far. Your plans look great and I'm sure you and Evan will have a great time! I enjoyed all of your stories and look forward to more.
Thanks for joing in and glad you are enjoying the report so far.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles!
Score on selling the stroller at the end of your trip! That's awesome Holly! Put that $ in the Disney fund for next time.
I think It will end up going toward Christmas but who knows.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lazanya
Glad you got the stroller debate figured out!
Me too
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilovedisney247
Glad you got the stroller figured out! I think doing a Peter Pan theme for your family would be pretty easy--there are tons of options (Peter, Wendy, Michael, John, Capt Hook, Smee, Tinkerbell, Tigerlily, Lost Boys, Indians, and Pirates!) and most of them would be pretty easy to do--Capt Hook would probably be the only difficult one. Definitely Dress up!
I think at this point we are leaning toward a PP theme. My nephew LOVED Peter Pan when he was about 4 and my sister made him a costume and my brother was Capt. Hook. I know he still has that costume somewhere so we might need to borrow it. I think the kids would love it.
Registered Message Board Members Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
Thanks everyone for following along. Evan and I are heading away for a few days - starting tomorrow so I won't be posting until late next week.
Not too much Disney news going on. I bought myself a new watch for the trip and we got Wall-E from the library and I hope to see it this weekend while we are away. We have selected a date to go see Cars 2 (July 3rd) but still trying to get out to see POTC-4. Evan watched Lion King 1 1/2 last night and was singing "quick before the hyena comes" the rest of the night.
Evan got a new swing set last weekend but they were going to charge $300.00 to put it together. My brother said he would do it for him this weekend and all it will cost me is dinner that night.