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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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Great dinner at Yachtsman! I need to stay away from reviews and just try places. I always read the same thing about Marrakesh- empty, blah food. But I've heard much better reviews about Tangierine Cafe... But like I said. I need to stay away from reviews
Well it has taken me awhile but I'm finally all caught up. I was out of commission for a bit and then Sandy hit so I'm playing catch up everywhere.
So happy you had such a nice time. I know what you mean about the "alone" time on the ride home and missing that. On my last trip one of my favorite things was the quiet walks my son and I took each night from the Poly to Shades of Green.
I don't think it is too early for your PTR - hint hint!
I fell in love with Figment when I was 10 and Gram brought me for my first WDW trip. She bought be a big Figment stuffy that I still love, though DD is loving him right now in her room.
The only character that is slightly above him is Mickey. But I consider them seperate character groups bc Figment only exsists for the attraction.
"One little spark of inspiration, is in the heart of all creation. Right at the start of everything that's new, one little spark lights up for you!"
I think my favorite characters are Duffy and Eeyore. Naturally, I like the main mouse but the others just have special places for me. My BFF bought me an Eeyore on our first trip and Chuck bought me a Duffy (huge Duffy bear) on our honeymoon trip.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Great attitude for dealing with the rain! Your dinner at the Yachtsman's looks so delicious!
Thanks Cam! It was fun, even with the rain. And the dinner was great!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
So weird and hysterical about the car key! A ponchos-on-ponchos-off kind of day. I hate having to store and then put back on a wet poncho! Can't believe it's the last day.
That was strange. The ponchos off/on day is hard. Don't like storing them, and when you wear them - it gets too hot!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Love all that food porn! I must admit that when I heard your description of the dessert at Marrakesh, I did think it was a bit weird...
Yeah - really strange. I should have stuck with the baklava but I had to try it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lfredsbo
Sounds like a great day ~ despite the rain! Can't believe you found the key!
I know! It was freaky!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great time at Epcot, despite the rain! Another great dinner at YSH ! too funny about the key!
That key story is hysterical! Didn't think so at the time we "lost" it though. But now - bwahahahahaha!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChukkerB
My apologies to the mouse keepers at BLT for last years total search of the room(not telling you the room number) Coop and I looked EVERYWHERE for that $&@%# key. No wonder we never found it!
As I read these last few posts I'm a little sad that it has to end. Again. Quite a different trip this time,yet very similar in so many great ways. Things I missed this time: Driving, Waffle House, Zaxbys, Chik-fil-A, Jelico,Atlanta(passing by the Varsity is the ONLY good thing) Hilton Garden Inn, seeing all the roadside signs along the way. New things that I learned: getting there in two plus hours is almost too quick for me, Nathan's at the Orlando airport,DME ride almost gets you pumped up for the World as the stretch driving from the Florida state line to WDW.Getting home in 2 1/2 hours is AWESOME.
If you get the impression that I feel driving is better than flying,it is, especially for the reason that I get Coop alone, all to myself for a total of close to 40 hours on the road. I missed that more than I thought I would now that its a month after the trip. We have had some post-vacation depression this time,and I attribute that to not having that alone time. We have conquered that by now as we are starting to plan next years trip. Maybe we'll end this TR with a PTR for our Nov'13 trip. It's funny how much our lives have changed since Coop's first trip to this magical,wonderful place.
I know! We can blame Dawn for creating such a monster! LOL. I missed driving too - starting out early with a stop at Starbuck's, Waffle House, Chik-fil-A, Zaxby's, Jellico, singing and talking with my best friend. I did like coming home in 2 1/2 hours though. If only we could drive down and fly back for cheaper than either driving or flying alone- that would be the way to go! And hey - we did put the room at BLT back together, sort of.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lazanya
Great updates! Sorry your trip is coming to an end.
Thanks - almost done makes it so sad all over again.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lfredsbo
Very much looking forward to the new PTR!!
I think we need to figure out what days we are going first and maybe get a ressie before we can do our offical PTR.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
I can't believe after all that time you find the missing key!! Looks like you had 2 great meals today. All that food made me hungry!
I know - it was funny that we found it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by dutchdisneyfamily
Sad about your trip coming to an end. I love how you two were having such fun in th rain. You truly made the best of it!
Thanks. It was fun - hey - we were in Disney!
Quote:
Originally Posted by shazza
The key story is priceless - you will always remember that one. Sad to see the trip coming to the end.
Oh boy yes! That will always be in our Disney story arsenal!
Two hours on a plane is nothing big guy but going is a lot longer than coming home, We'll keep driving as Lucille is not ready to try flying again.
Sorry to break this to you but post vacay depression is going to make a comeback. As I told Coop only she is allowed to make next years trip You have to stay home and look after Meg. Lucille and I are going to be there at same time and If YOU are there you will use up all the fun and not leave any for us. I'm just saying
Hahaha. He will share, Mike, don't worry! I have a feeling that you make your own fun anyhow! We liked getting home in 2.5 hours but I really like driving too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kurtholley
The food atYachtsman's looked great. Might have to think about there while I decide on our ADR's for the May trip to OKW.
We are like you wont stay at BLT anymore. We want to try other resorts but OKW always pulls us back in when we book
And yes you are correct,I think we get better arab/middle eastern food here
It's kind of sad because BLT is our home resort. We may give it another go but not for a while. We will probably be trying other resorts first. Yes - the arabic food here is great! I've even got some spices and have learned to make it myself. Hummus, falafel and deboned chicken anyone?
Quote:
Originally Posted by goofyboysmama
Great dinner at Yachtsman! I need to stay away from reviews and just try places. I always read the same thing about Marrakesh- empty, blah food. But I've heard much better reviews about Tangierine Cafe... But like I said. I need to stay away from reviews
Tangerine Cafe was hopping when we were there. That should have been an indicator. But like I said, we get better middle eastern food here so that may just be off our list. We haven't gone back to Via Napoli for the same kind of reason. We get similar, if not better, pizzas at the little Italian place down the road from us.
Quote:
Originally Posted by disneydreamer33
Sounded like a fun day even with the rain! How funny to find the lost car key and while you were getting ready for YS again.
It was really strange that it happened that way.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mommapants
Well it has taken me awhile but I'm finally all caught up. I was out of commission for a bit and then Sandy hit so I'm playing catch up everywhere.
So happy you had such a nice time. I know what you mean about the "alone" time on the ride and missing that. One my last trip one of my favorite things was the quite walks my son and I took each night from the Poly to Shades of Green.
I don't think it is too early for your PTR - hint hint!
Glad you are ok in the Sandy aftermath. I think we need to get our plans a little more solid before we start our PTR. Otherwise there will be a LOT of changes!
We got up had coffee/tea while finishing packing. We called and had Bell Services come get our bags and our OL. Then left the room and checked out at 11 am. We couldn’t do Resort Check In because Delta didn’t assign our seats. They wouldn’t even let me get our seats (on the computer) at 24 hours either. So it was all to be determined at the gate. I was worried about the flight because I didn’t want to be separated from Chuck. We didn’t have to be back to catch DME until about 3 pm so we went to DTD for lunch. We didn’t want to go to a park and lose track of time, or get stuck in the bus black hole. We went to EOS for lunch and just barely got a table. They were so busy! Chuck had the club, and got a bag of chips and a carrot cake. I had the full montague and a bag of chips and a brownie.
It was all very good. After lunch, we walked a bit and then sat and people watched. In retrospect, we probably should have made an earlier reservation, because to us this waiting around is just torture.
We found out that we had about 7 meals left which we weren’t going to use and we had 17 snacks left! So on to Goofy’s Candy Co, we went. We got 16 snacks and a water. I told the CM that we needed these packed so that we could put them in our carry on. She told me that food products are not considered a carry on and everything would be ok. I was taking her word for it! After paying, we then took the boat back to OKW.
The warning sign on the boat (and almost everywhere else)
No dancing!
It was very laid back type of day. We still had some time so Chuck asked if I wanted a cocktail before we left for the airport - ummmm - yeah. So we went to the Gurgling Suitcase (the poolside bar) and I had a bourbon. Afterward, it was almost time so we went back to the bus stop. We didn’t realize that the Disney Cruise Line bus was for us. But bell services set us straight. We got our bags on the bus and got a seat. They still had to go to Saratoga Springs and pick up people. Then off to MCO. Chuck napped and I watched the movie - sort of.
We got our bags checked and through security without any problems. Then we stopped in on of the gift shops and got a water and some mints. Lo and behold - there was the Disney shirt we were looking for! One of our friends wanted a small/2T Mickey shirt where the Mickey head is missing (it's just Mickey's body on the tee and then your head out of the top of the tee) and there it was. I told Chuck - get it! Then we went over to Nathan’s and had a hot dog for dinner. After a potty stop, we went down to the gate just as they were calling our name overhead. We got to the gate and they gave us our assigned seating - together! Thank God! She said “I kept you two together. I thought you’d like that” We thanked her profusely. Then it was another hurry up and wait. Apparently the crew for our flight hadn’t landed yet. So when they finally got there and got ready, we were allowed to board. Chuck and I were 3 seats from the last (like row W) but it was all ok. We didn’t get asked about our food/snacks that we were carrying on. But there was a guy who was trying to carry on a large flat package (Think waist high square and thin - like a white board or something) as well as full sized luggage. Naturally he was stopped and we scooted on by. The flight was late getting going and the captain said “we have some weather to work around”. Uh oh. It was a bumpy flight. At one point, the captain said “we are having our flight attendants stay seated for about 10 mins here. We suggest that you do the same and make sure your seatbelts are securely fastened” Oh boy. I was getting scared! We had a few large bumps that made me grab Chuck’s arm and Duffy! We couldn’t have peanuts either because someone on board was allergic. A cookie and a Sprite it is! But we made it home in one piece. Alex (Chuck’s daughter) picked us up and we made it home in time to share snacks from Goofy’s and presents. The fur babies were happy to see us and we were glad to be sleeping in our own bed tonight!
We do exactly what you did when we have left over snack credits. Hit Goofy Candy Co.
Glad you got your seats together. That always worried me too when it was just me and my girls. We actually had one attendant at Delta separate me and one of my girls even when the plane wasn't full. The nice flight attendant fixed it quick when we got on the plane.
I absolutely love Earl of Sandwich.
Glad you made it home safe and sound!
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