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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
AoA looks great! We stopped there to have dinner at the food court and it wasn't a great experience so we just left before we had a chance to look around. Now I'm sorry.
That bag was great!!
What a fun update! Didn't even know you could have dinner with Shamu - you got some great photos, and I like your family photo before dinner - you all look a little damp, but happy.
Your nighttime AoA photos came out nice - they show a different view of the resort, and it was definitely a good idea for you crazy kids to stop there (I was worn out just reading about your day).
Dinner with Shamu looked really cool. Glad you got to do so much at SW. And loved seeing the pics of AOA. Especially the LM wing, because that wasn't yet open when I stayed there.
__________________
Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
You kids are the energizer bunnies! Still going at 10 pm and ready for more! AoA does look really cool lit up at night, especially the Cars section. That part of DCA looks amazing at night as well.
We certainly find it at times!!! And then other days, the energy is just zapped! it was really pretty at night - hoping to stay there sometime!
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
AoA looks great! We stopped there to have dinner at the food court and it wasn't a great experience so we just left before we had a chance to look around. Now I'm sorry.
That bag was great!!
It is a neat resort! That's a shame you didn't have a good experience - Emily and I ate there is august and she loved it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MayraLR
Love the nighttime shots of AoA!
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Wonderful photos from Art of Animation - I've never thought of visiting at night.
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by shazza
What a fun update! Didn't even know you could have dinner with Shamu - you got some great photos, and I like your family photo before dinner - you all look a little damp, but happy.
Your nighttime AoA photos came out nice - they show a different view of the resort, and it was definitely a good idea for you crazy kids to stop there (I was worn out just reading about your day).
Thanks! That photo cracks me up - you can see how wet we got! Especially my lovely Florida curl up wet mop!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great pics from AoA! And love the surprise! The bag is awesome!
Thanks! I love the bag, the bottom is a cooler!
Quote:
Originally Posted by xwewhisper
Love the second wind trip over to AoA to explore! Great nighttime shots!
Thanks! It was fun!
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
Dinner with Shamu looked really cool. Glad you got to do so much at SW. And loved seeing the pics of AOA. Especially the LM wing, because that wasn't yet open when I stayed there.
It was really fun to have dinner there! Hope to stay there someday!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
AoA does look beautiful lit up at night! The surprise bag and goodies looks perfect!
Thanks! the bag was perfect!
__________________
Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
We did have to get up somewhat early this morning (although we tend to do so in WDW anyway) as we had a breakfast ADR to get to! But of course, not before taking a peek outside for another gorgeous view!
We were all soon up and ready and heading out the door to get to Epcot. We got to Norway and checked in at Akershus, and were soon led in to meet Belle in her ball gown.
Then we were led to our table…..pretty close to the cold buffet. Soon we were filling our bellies with deliciousness and being visited by:
Cinderella:
Aurora:
Snow White:
And Ariel:
Em's phone case from breakfast!
Before heading out to the park, Emily and I made a quick pit stop for a bio break and as we were starting to head out, a little squirrel ran into Akershus and right towards the kitchen!!! He just as quickly ran back out of the kitchen area and back out the front door! It was the funniest little event……..he must have been scolded by Snow White, because he was moving so fast I couldn’t even get a picture of him!!
We then headed over to Universe of Energy ~ as Emily had really been interested in riding this again (it had been quite a few trips since we last rode it). This ride is looonnnnggggg. And very dark…………making it quite easy for one to take a nap if they really wanted to.
After learning all about energy, it was time to wake us all up with some speed, so we headed over to Test Track. We “built” our car and were soon heading out on the track!
Of course, when we got off Test Track, Emily was starving…………not quite sure where she puts it all, but we got a pretzel that we all sort of nibbled off of! We browsed through the Pin Station in the center of Future World, but purchased nothing yet.
Then we headed over to Soarin’ to fly over California. I absolutely LOVE this ride!!! It is so relaxing and yet fun at the same time! And the smell of oranges……….ah! Actually my favorite part is going over the river rapids and seeing if I can touch any heads with my toes!
Of course, we stopped for some Photopass photos…………..
It was around noon at this point, so we decided to head out as we wanted to get to Walmart to get some grocery items (rather than continue to pay resort gift shop prices……….not to mention that Scott and I needed some adult beverages for the room), so off we went for I believe was our record shopping time ever in Walmart!!!
We were back to AKL fairly quickly so that we could relax on our balcony for a bit and take in the gorgeous view!
This is the day we discovered the Red River Hogs! They were so funny and apparently love the rain! They were playing and having a good time!
Scott and I shared some wine and Mickey cheese and crackers out on the balcony!
Up Next: Dinner in a castle!
__________________
Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
What a great start to the day - I love Em's phone cover after breakfast.
I love your photos from Test Track. I'd definitely upload some of those into the PassPorter photo archive, as I think some of those could be candidates for the next PassPorter. I personally love the one taken at high speed - very impressive. Oh by the way, while we're on the subject, any photos you want to upload to the photo archive from SeaWorld would be great - I'm always on the lookout for my Brits guide that covers the other parks of Orlando and my upcoming book focusing solely on the other parks Orlando has to offer.
Love reading all about your trip. As I am going in June this year with my family I have a couple of questions about Sea World. 1. What were the crowds like? Do you feel that quick que was worth the money? Trying to debate about purchasing it for our trip. also how long did it take you to get from Disney to Sea World?
__________________
DisneyDeva
1989+1993 Carribbean Beach,1996 ASS+Dixie Landings,1998 DL,2000 CB Hurricaine Floyd!!,2001 DL,2003 CS,2004 WL,2005 POR,2006 seven night eastern carb. disney cruise!!!,2006 Halloween Liki Tiki,May 2007 off site Orange Lake,May 2007 AKL,Sept 2007 CS,Oct 2008 Halloween ASM,May 2009 PC+ a seven night eastern carb. cruise,Feb 2010 GCV,BCV + BLT Sept 2011; OKW 8/12;Kindani 9/13: POR 3/13; Jambo Club Level & SS 6/14; Poly studio 8/15, GF villa July 2016;Blt + AKK June 2018
What a great start to the day - I love Em's phone cover after breakfast.
I love your photos from Test Track. I'd definitely upload some of those into the PassPorter photo archive, as I think some of those could be candidates for the next PassPorter. I personally love the one taken at high speed - very impressive. Oh by the way, while we're on the subject, any photos you want to upload to the photo archive from SeaWorld would be great - I'm always on the lookout for my Brits guide that covers the other parks of Orlando and my upcoming book focusing solely on the other parks Orlando has to offer.
I would be happy to share! How do I do that?
__________________
Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
About This Page: 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
PassPorter Guide Author
And love the surprise! The bag is awesome! 
The surprise bag and goodies looks perfect! 
Linear Mode
