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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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Your parents are adorable. I meant their picture, but their personalities sound adorable too! I loved the phone story. I have a similar one for my dad. It was back when we went from an answering machine (that's broadcast out to the room) to voicemail (that you only hear on the phone receiver). He was leaving messages saying, "Amy....are you there?...pick up...." And I explained to him that I couldn't hear him until I played the message. Then I noticed he wasn't leaving messages at all. I asked him why not and he said, "You told me you couldn't hear them!" Who knew phones were so complicated lol.
I love all your plans and planning - that's one of my favorite parts, the planning! It's great that they trust your planning and let you take care of it.
One day I hope we're there at the same time. This trip, you'll be there on my birthday! (9/2). Since you'll be in MK at least part of the day, have a dole whip for me! (Like you need a reason lol). I prefer the regular whip over the float, but since you're the one eating it, I'll let you decide
Registered Message Board Members save 30% off PassPorter guidebooks! When you register you'll have access to a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of PassPorter books in our online store.
I'm here! Well, technically I'm on DME, but close enough. My flight was fine and I am happy to say everyone at home got checked in for their flight just fine. I'll be the first stop then I'm going straight to Epcot. I'm hungry.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wolfy6688
Ok, all caught up!
Your parents are adorable. I meant their picture, but their personalities sound adorable too! I loved the phone story. I have a similar one for my dad. It was back when we went from an answering machine (that's broadcast out to the room) to voicemail (that you only hear on the phone receiver). He was leaving messages saying, "Amy....are you there?...pick up...." And I explained to him that I couldn't hear him until I played the message. Then I noticed he wasn't leaving messages at all. I asked him why not and he said, "You told me you couldn't hear them!" Who knew phones were so complicated lol.
I love all your plans and planning - that's one of my favorite parts, the planning! It's great that they trust your planning and let you take care of it.
One day I hope we're there at the same time. This trip, you'll be there on my birthday! (9/2). Since you'll be in MK at least part of the day, have a dole whip for me! (Like you need a reason lol). I prefer the regular whip over the float, but since you're the one eating it, I'll let you decide
I LOVE that story! And DM still leaves voicemail messages like she's expecting me to pick up! But at least she leaves a message!
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
I have a similar one for my dad. It was back when we went from an answering machine (that's broadcast out to the room) to voicemail (that you only hear on the phone receiver). He was leaving messages saying, "Amy....are you there?...pick up...." And I explained to him that I couldn't hear him until I played the message. Then I noticed he wasn't leaving messages at all. I asked him why not and he said, "You told me you couldn't hear them!" Who knew phones were so complicated lol.
I love all your plans and planning - that's one of my favorite parts, the planning! It's great that they trust your planning and let you take care of it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
I LOVE that story! And DM still leaves voicemail messages like she's expecting me to pick up! But at least she leaves a message!
My DH does this! I have to tell him all the time, "they can't hear you!". It's especially fun when he complains that he hates when people just sit there and listen to you instead of picking up the phone when they hear him!
Registered Message Board Members save 30% off PassPorter guidebooks! When you register you'll have access to a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of PassPorter books in our online store.
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.
Thanks for all the great comments! By the way, I've passed on your best wishes to my parents!
Quote:
Originally Posted by shazza
Have a great trip - bless you for all the planning work you do, even down to arranging how to check in for the flights. I bet your family thinks it's great, and they probably tell all their friends how you are the Disney expert. Congrats to your parents on reaching 50 years of marriage!
I was more worried about checking them in for their flight than they were! Everybody did as they should have, so everyone's checked in and all with A or B boarding passes. Now I'm less worried about them making it here tomorrow!
Quote:
Originally Posted by disneydani
Seriously hoping Isaac stays far, far away...nobody likes an uninvited guest!
You sound super organized; I hope check in for SWA and AKV all go without a hitch,
Glad you are taking the laptop and we can count on some live reports...I will need something to cheer me up as my kiddos head back to school next week!
As always, safe travels.
Danielle
Isaac is not welcome! I hate lugging my laptop along, but I have to admit it is a pleasure posting. It's so much easier to upload and post the photos, and having a real keyboard - you never know how much you miss it until you don't have it! It takes literally half the time when I use my laptop!
Quote:
Originally Posted by honeybee723
Have a great trip, and I hope Isaac stays far far away from Florida. I've already been doing my rain dance for Kelly (OhToodles), but I have no problem stepping it up a notch for you.
Thanks for that!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lfredsbo
that Isacc stays FAR FAR away..........didn't see his name on that itinerary!!!
Have a magical trip and can't wait to hear all about it!!! make sure to get plenty of photos of everyone - including your pretty self!!!
Thanks for the pixies! And I think there will be plenty of pictures of me, because we have the Photopass+. However, I picked it up today and haven't taken a single PP pic. I'll do much better tomorrow!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Principessa_di_Fata
I'm so excited for your trip! I can't believe it's TOMORROW!!! I can't wait til my countdown is on hours instead of days... though 20 days is definitely not too shabby in the scheme of things!
Super excited for the Princess Room update! Just excited for all of it, really!
I adore the Royal Rooms. So many fabulous little details! I took like 40 pictures. Meri is going to love it as much as I do. I'm excited for her to see it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey
Awesome, I can't wait to see your pictures of the resort! I'm staying in the non-suite section (Little Mermaid?).
That won't be open yet, but I'll try to sneak in and get some pictures! Without ending up in Disney jail.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sc507
Phew! I'm tired from reading about all that planning! Can't wait to meet you on Monday,hopefully my shy little munchkins play along! LOL!
I think my nephews will get them talking!
Quote:
Originally Posted by LLaffinPlace
Wow, great plans! My heartfelt congratulations to Mable and Ed. They are lovely people and that's a great picture. I agree that they must have married as children, because they don't look old enough to be celebrating their 50th anniversary. I wish I could be there to congratulate them in person.
I am interested to hear what you think of AoA--and I have been thinking about going over there to see the resort and eat at the Food Court.
You just had to make the point about bathroom breaks, didn't you?
I will tell the royal parents you wished them a happy anniversary! And I am beyond excited to check out AOA, including the food court!
Quote:
Originally Posted by sheldoal
on your planning. I feel accomplished when I plan out trips for just my husband and me. I couldn't imagine juggling that many people.
Hope you all have a blast--especially the nephew who keeps remindng you that you "can wait." The wait is over!
I have to face the music with him tomorrow! Maybe I should have a gift ready for him!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MayraLR
Glad you arrived safely! Hope you have a great vacation! And I hope the JWTBRM (jerk with the bad ride mojo ) doesn't make an appearance.
So far, so good! No bad anything today.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OneLittleSpark
My DH does this! I have to tell him all the time, "they can't hear you!". It's especially fun when he complains that he hates when people just sit there and listen to you instead of picking up the phone when they hear him!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Principessa_di_Fata
I got a text not long ago from Sharon! She said "Royal room is too cute! Meri is going to love it!"
And it had this pic:
Man!! Wish I were there!!!
I can't wait for both of you to see it in person!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MosyBliss
Have a wonderful time and hopefully I'll see you around.
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
So here's the short version of today's events. I had a pleasant flight down, if a bit bumpy. My room was ready when I checked in. It is beautiful! So full of awesome little royal details. I took a bunch of pictures and even a little video, but for now, I'll just post one.
I can tell you, they know how to treat a Princess right!
I went to Epcot because today is my snacks only day. My first snack was giant, but very tasty. The rustic ham and cheese tartine from Boulangerie Patisserie.
Otherwise known as French bread pizza. Actually, it's not on French bread, more like a rustic ciabatta bread. That pretty much filled me up, but I did manage to save a bit of room for something sweet.
Milk chocolate caramel with sea salt! No FABs today, it was too hot! (I may have to turn in my Epcot Lush Club membership for saying that ). I did some shopping. Here's a sneak peek at one of my purchases.
Hint: that's my name in Chinese. I called it an early night and am sitting in my royal room, watching fireworks.
Sort of! Tomorrow I move to AKV and the rest of the family gets here, but I think I'll spend a little time in AK before that! TTFN!
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
Sounds like a fabulous arrival day! The Royal Room looks awesome...I love the color combos.
Okay, you posted a pic of my all time favorite snack....nothing beats the yummy deliciousness of chocolate, caramel, and sea salt. Thoses babies are huge and chewy and totally awesome, in my humble opinion.
Have a good morn at AK and hoping the move to AKV is smooth and that the rest of the fam arrive without issue and on time!
Danielle
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~Shoot for the moon, if you miss, you will land among the stars~
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.