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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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.
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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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I just got caught up with your TR and it sounds like everything went smoothly on your flights and getting settled in AKL That pasta did sure did look good and filling! I know the feeling of dragging your first day at Disney. We tend to take the 6:30 AM or earlier flights, and by the time we get there and if we're lucky enough to get our room right away, we just want to take a nap for 30 minutes! I'm usually so excited to be there that I can't sleep, but my DH gets cranky when he gets tired, so I agree to a nap most of the time.
Sounds like a great first day. I thought we squeezed a lot into our first day, but you beat us for sure. I would've collapsed if I was awake for 24 hours. I forget, are you DVC members? Also, are you going back next year? If so, when?
Congrats to all your boys on making their basketball teams. Good luck to you with the upcoming busy schedule!!
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
Congrats to all your basketball players and good luck getting all three to and from practices and games!
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by shazza
Congrats to your players. It will keep you all busy, but it's a good kind of busy for the boys.
Thank you!
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperDave
Sounds good with the graduations this upcoming year with your boys! Don't go too crazy on the graduation parties as you'll have two! Must leave some expenses, always for a Disney trip! Since, both of your sons seem quite into basketball, do they both have quite a bit of height between the two of them? Can be, when it's not just recreational and making the team as your sons have!
Yeah, I probably do just a small get together for both boys. Nothing too crazy or expensive, I mean after 2 graduations I don't think I'll have much funds left.
My three boys are tall. My oldest is about 5'11", he's 14. My 11 year old is the smallest for his age at 4'11". My youngest is 4'10" at 9 years old.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcc0313
Congratulations to all your future "NBA" stars Sounds like a crazy schedule but I am sure fun for all the boys.
Totally understand the craziness, sometimes I just wish for just a few more hours a day....LOL
We are here when you are ready with your updates.
Thanks for understanding! I'm already going crazy with practices. I can't imagine when they actually start to play.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Congrats to your 3 basketball loving boys! and for great seasons.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JKnott17
Congratulations to the boys for making the teams! We've got craziness over here with both girls making the soccer teams, but I totally agree with you all the running around is worth it to see how much they love it.
Congrats to your girls! My boys played soccer for a while before becoming obsessed with basketball.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kingfamily1129
Congrats to all of your boys!! Good luck with the hectic schedules to come!! for you!! And don't worry about your TR. We'll be here when you get a chance to come back
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mojjo
Congrats to the boys!
We'll be here when you get back to it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mfirst
I'm so glad I found this! What a long day - I'm impressed you all handled it so well. Funny thing about T-Rex, we were given that same table when we ate there We thought the food was really good - especially considering the prices they charged.
Your room at AK looks amazing! I can't wait to read more!
I hear you about the boys and sports - all three of mine will be playing basketball this winter though our season starts a bit later (mid October). They decided not to play soccer this summer in favor of basketball - I'm still having trouble wrapping my brain around the logistics of three, on three different teams with three schedules
Me too. I have no idea how I'm going to work out the three schedules. Good thing is that AJ starts one month earlier and the other two will have somewhat of a same schedule. But still, it will be exhausting.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lindawdw
I just got caught up with your TR and it sounds like everything went smoothly on your flights and getting settled in AKL That pasta did sure did look good and filling! I know the feeling of dragging your first day at Disney. We tend to take the 6:30 AM or earlier flights, and by the time we get there and if we're lucky enough to get our room right away, we just want to take a nap for 30 minutes! I'm usually so excited to be there that I can't sleep, but my DH gets cranky when he gets tired, so I agree to a nap most of the time.
It was the first time we had ever taken such an early flight. I agree with the nap thing. I wish we hadn't done so much that day and relaxed a little more.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mommapants
sounds like you had a very good but long and exhausting first day.
Take you time with the updates - we will be here ready when you are.
It was a super exhausting day.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lfredsbo
Congrats to the boys!!!
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheAyers
I am amazed that you were able to stay awake! I would have taken a nap for sure! I'm signing on so I don't miss anything!
I'm tired and sleepy just thinking about that day.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lissybri
Sounds like a great first day. I thought we squeezed a lot into our first day, but you beat us for sure. I would've collapsed if I was awake for 24 hours. I forget, are you DVC members? Also, are you going back next year? If so, when?
No, we aren't DVC members, we rented points. Can't convince my husband to invest in DVC. Maybe if we win the lottery...
I'm pretty sure we won't be back next year. I am planning a land and sea package for 2016.
Thanks for your patience and understanding! Update coming up.
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The alarm went off at 6:00 am. I painfully got out of bed and jumped in the shower. After getting ready, I woke up the rest of the gang. We were out the door at 7:00.
But first... let us take a selfie.
We waited about 15 minutes for a DHS bus to arrive. Got to the park at 7:30ish and joined the long line of early adrs. There was a CM going through the line and checking people off.
We were finally let into the park and we trekked over to H&V. I checked us in and waited to be called.
About 10-15 minutes we were shown to our table, which was right by the front windows. Let me say something here, those tables are close. I mean REALLY close. I had to push myself almost underneath the table so that the people from the next table could get in and out of theirs.
Anyways, our server took our drink orders and then the boys hit the buffet. Princess Sofia came by but I just waved her off because the boys (Adriel) weren't back yet.
It was my turn to get some food and boy did I get food. (Sorry no pictures, my brain doesn't work that early ). I tried a little of everything and it was all very good. But then again, you can't go wrong with breakfast.
The characters kept coming, and we got to meet Handy Manny, Doc McStuffins, Jake and Sofia.
I have to say that although the food was good, the service wasn't nothing outstanding. Our server would disappear for long periods of time. Wasn't very friendly either. I know this will be the last time I visit here because by the time I go back to Disney, Adriel will have outgrown these characters.
We were done, so we headed out through a side door and towards our first FP+, TSMM. I took the scenic route, a.k.a. the long way. Ok, I admit I didn't get a map because I "knew" where things were, but I got us a little lost. No biggie.
I rode with Adriel; AJ and Abniel rode together; and Arben went solo. Arben won this one with 100,000+ points. My score was kind of pathetic as you can see below.
My score is on the left. Adriel had better accuracy than me. Go figure...
Since I was new to the whole Memory Maker, I went to the front of the park to see if I was all set to use it. Everything was ok, so I went back towards where I had left the gang.
Our next stop was One Man's Dream. In all the times I've been to DHS, I've never done this. I knew the kids wouldn't be interested, that's why I included this in the Bingo cards. Sneaky momma.
I took lots of pictures here. I'll include a couple.
After that we just wandered around, waiting for our next FP+ We decided to take our first series of photos.
The time for our fastpass was approaching so we headed over to Star Tours. When we got there, the standby was only 10 minutes. We joined the line and while in line I changed my FP+ for Muppets Vision 3D.
We headed to MV 3D and there was no line. There goes our first wasted fastpass. Anyways, we were let in and we quickly took our seats. Of course, there's always this family who decides to sit in the middle of the row instead of going to the end as instructed. Annoying.
The show started and... I almost fell asleep. My eyelids felt so heavy. AJ admitted he was also dozing off.
I'll probably get a little flame here but, I find MV 3D boring. I think they need a new movie as the one they have is showing its age. I know it's a classic and many people love it, but it's not my thing.
After our impromptu nap, we made our way towards Sunset Blvd., tackling some Bingo items along the way.
Oh, my kids have such a wild personality.
While waiting for our TOT fastpasses to ripe, Arben and Adriel a.k.a. the chickens, decided to have a little snack.
Our time had finally arrived and Abniel was going to give TOT a second chance. On our last trip, it had been his first thrill ride and it kind of traumatized him to the point where he refused to try any of the other rides.
Throughout the queue, I kept asking him if he was ok and if he was sure he wanted to ride. He seemed ok at the moment.
There was this little girl, with her mom and dad, who was riding for the first time. She was a little nervous. I talked to her and said it was ok to be a little scared and if she wanted to scream she should scream. I told her I was way older than her and I always screamed. She was so sweet!
We were loaded into our elevator and we were on the second row. The little girl and her family were in the row in front of us.
We got a different sequence this time, a little scarier and thrilling. Abniel did pretty well, I did have to hold his hand throughout the whole ride. Of course, I screamed my heart out as I always do.
Here's our ride photo
A close up so you can really see our expressions.
One cool thing I discovered after getting off the ride. Now you don't have to go to the counter to get your ride photo added to your Magic Band. The system recognizes that you're there and adds it automatically. I think this is AWESOME!
After our ride, AJ, Abniel and I got our snacks. Then I took a little survey about our experience buying our ice cream.
There was one more fastpass for LMA Extreme Stunt Show for Arben and Adriel. Adriel was kind of tired and decided to skip LMA. Arben was all for that so we headed to the bus stop.
I love all the photos, especially the first selfie and the MM one of you having a "Hollywood Moment"-- wonderful! Is the little girl in front of you in the ToT ride photo the one you were talking to in line? It's so sweet the way her parents are watching her.
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I love all the photos, especially the first selfie and the MM one of you having a "Hollywood Moment"-- wonderful! Is the little girl in front of you in the ToT ride photo the one you were talking to in line? It's so sweet the way her parents are watching her.
Thanks! I loved feeling like a diva!
Yes, the little girl in front of us is the same one I was talking to. I must not be a sweet parent because I can't open my eyes, much less look to the side to check on someone.
Quote:
Originally Posted by nursemom
I am really enjoying your TR. You have a beautiful and fun loving family. I love ToT. It looks like the little girl in front of you did ok too
Thanks! As a matter of fact, I think the little girl did better than me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by shazza
Fun update with your MM photos and riding ToT. It is much. Ore convenient not to have to go get your ride photos put on your card.
Yes, I love the fact that you didn't have to line up to get your ride photo added. One less thing to worry about.
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Sounds like a great morning at DHS!! I have to agree with you about Muppet Vision. I love the queue area, but the movie could use a bit of an update. Great pictures!!
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That pasta did sure did look good and filling! I know the feeling of dragging your first day at Disney. We tend to take the 6:30 AM or earlier flights, and by the time we get there and if we're lucky enough to get our room right away, we just want to take a nap for 30 minutes! I'm usually so excited to be there that I can't sleep, but my DH gets cranky when he gets tired, so I agree to a nap most of the time.
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Holly: 
![[SIGPIC]](signaturepics/sigpic27594_7.gif)
Must leave some expenses, always for a Disney trip! 
Since, both of your sons seem quite into basketball, do they both have quite a bit of height between the two of them? Can be, when it's not just recreational and making the team as your sons have!
Sounds like a crazy schedule but I am sure fun for all the boys.
and 
for great seasons.
Maybe if we win the lottery...
I painfully got out of bed 
and jumped in the shower. After getting ready, I woke up the rest of the gang. We were out the door at 7:00.
I mean REALLY close. I had to push myself almost underneath the table so that the people from the next table could get in and out of theirs.
). I tried a little of everything and it was all very good. But then again, you can't go wrong with breakfast. 
Sneaky momma. 
There goes our first wasted fastpass. Anyways, we were let in and we quickly took our seats. Of course, there's always this family who decides to sit in the middle of the row instead of going to the end as instructed. 
Annoying.
My eyelids felt so heavy. AJ admitted he was also dozing off.
Dana
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