Forums Closed
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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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!
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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.
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07-13-2006, 05:11 PM
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#46
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Community Rank: Globetrotter 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,651
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip - Pre-trip Update 7/9
This sounds great, Marnie. I wish I could stay that long, although like you, I don't know how I'd manage to get over to Universal. Isn't that like treason or something? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] The ticket deals do make it tempting, though. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]
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Sponsored links
 | | 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. |
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07-13-2006, 07:04 PM
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#47
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Community Rank: Explorer 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: a mere few minutes from the Mouse! <3
Concierge Level: 2
Posts: 9,777
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip - Pre-trip Update 7/9
Wow [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img], you are going to have such a magical trip!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] that the hurricanes stay away! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Amy
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07-13-2006, 10:59 PM
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#48
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Community Rank: Jetsetter 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Berwick, PA
Posts: 2,931
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip - Pre-trip Update 7/9
Sounds like you've got a great trip planned!
Enjoy
Paula
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Sponsored links
Check out the many e-books by PassPorter. The e-books are free to download if you have a PassPorter's Club pass.
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07-13-2006, 11:12 PM
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#49
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Batman's Gal/Mickey's Pal
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Owensboro, KY USA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 95,254
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip - Pre-trip Update 7/9
Your plans look fabulous! I'm excited now for you all to go and let us know how everything went! Not too much longer!
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07-14-2006, 11:45 AM
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#50
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Community Rank: Jetsetter
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Arlington Heights, IL
Posts: 2,739
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip - Pre-trip Update 7/9
What a fantastic trip you have planned Marnie!! You are going to love the cruise, especially with the verandah. That's the only way to go.
I can't wait to hear more about it!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
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07-15-2006, 01:58 AM
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#51
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Community Rank: Adventurer 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: loveland, colorado =)
Posts: 689
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip - Pre-trip Update 7/9
Wow Marnie...you have some great plans [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] I'm so excited to read all about your trip soon!!
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07-15-2006, 11:20 PM
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#52
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Community Rank: Adventurer
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Wentzville, MO
Posts: 818
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip - Pre-trip Update 7/9
Sounds like a wonderful trip. I can't wait to hear all about it when you return.
Have a great trip!
Steph A
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07-16-2006, 02:22 AM
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#53
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Community Rank: Globetrotter
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,451
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip - Pre-trip Update 7/9
[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img] Great pre-trip update...everything sounds perfect!
I can't believe your time is so close either. I remember seeing 500, 400, 300 days to go! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] DH is really into this trip (excellent training Marnie) [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img]
The deal at Universal is great, I saw it & they still have a nice one. The front line excess is worthwhile, the lines get pretty long (like Disney) We stayed at Portofino (GF) and HardRock (your kids would like this one) both are beautiful Deluxe Hotels if you change your mind.
Great planner & financial wizard, can't believe how much you've already paid off. It's going to be Fantastic trip![img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img]
Well, like everyone else said, keep the details coming![img]/ubb/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]
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07-16-2006, 09:15 AM
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#54
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RED SOX NATION!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip - Pre-trip Update 7/9
<font color="blue">Pre-trip: Update #3
Par for the course, Disney thru a wrinkle into our plans! All of a sudden they are announcing FREE DINING [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/hungry.gif[/img] And it would be available when we were traveling [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] That never happens to us [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] I got all flustered and started crunching numbers all weekend long. Should we? Shouldn’t we? What to do? The stress was killing me! We have 3 separate reservations which is not conducive to any package plan [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img] I crunched and crunched (fitting since it was tax season), talked it over with Maureen and decided to give the dining plan a try. This meant we’d have to do some re-arranging on our hotel plans. We’d get the most out of the dining plan when we were at the BC since I had most of the ADRs booked for then. Four nights wasn’t going to be enough though to really break even, since I now had to buy one day passes and lost my AAA discount on the room. I chopped a night off at AKL (shhh! Don’t tell Colin) and changed it to 3 nights, and added a night onto BC to make that one 5 nights. That should give us enough time to make the most use of our dining credits. I would have rather extended the AKL stay, but since free dining didn’t’ kick in until our 3rd day there, it wouldn’t have worked. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] Maureen was able to make all our changes [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thanx.gif[/img] This also meant I’d have to rearrange some meals I had already reserved. I moved PSB from Sunday to Tuesday so that it would be covered under the plan. I added Concourse Steakhouse to our list for dinner. I’m trying to get the biggest bang for my buck out of the plan, and we’ve never eaten there before. I’m hoping the monorail will help to entertain the kids, just like it did for Kiara in Nala’s report! I also had to move our Garden Grill back a day or two, but that was fine as I might cancel it altogether.
Well, the whole trip is planned, right? Not so fast [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shameonyou.gif[/img] Where oh where is the airfare?? Was Southwest ever going to release dates into August? Apparently they were considering not to, as they waited until April 19th to do so [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] The airfare costs us $285 per person, round trip. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/ouch.gif[/img] Never have we paid so much. I guess that’s what you get with high oil prices. Hopefully there is a Ding in my future. We take the last flight out at night, and the first flight out in the morning, so I figure if anything is going to be discounted, it should be those. Keep your fingers crossed! I guess I should consider myself lucky, as Delta wanted $320 and USAir wanted $500 [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]
Finally everything seems to be set. I booked a rental car thru Alamo (first time using them) 6 months in advance to get a cheap rate ($288 for a mid-size SUV for 17 days – not too shabby). I’m having second thoughts that we can fit all our stuff into this car, and of course second thoughts because it is Alamo after all! We normally get a fullsize Impala, which has a huge trunk. So I’ve been on the prowl for a new rental car ressie, but everything right now is going to cost $500. We’ll make it fit into the SUV if we have too! Hopefully as we get closer, Alamo and preferably National will put out better deals. I added dinner at ‘Ohana, as the food is so good there, and hopefully we can get a stop in at the Kona Café as well. I want to try the Tonga Toast.
As it was getting closer to the 90 day mark, I was getting nervous. I wanted to try and get an IllumiNations cruise! Would I be successful?
Coming Up next………….I was supposed to call when???</font>
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07-16-2006, 12:09 PM
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#55
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PassPorter Message Board Manager
 PassPorter Guide Author
Community Rank: Legend VIP 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip - Pre-trip Update 7/9
How [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] that you'll be able to take advantage of the free dining, but my goodness those airfares! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/jawdrop.gif[/img] Honestly, it doesn't cost much more to fly from here to Orlando than US Air wanted! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]
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07-16-2006, 12:10 PM
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#56
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Community Rank: Scout 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,685
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip - Pre-trip Update 7/9
Love the TR. Sounds like you are going to have alot of fun. More please!!!
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07-16-2006, 12:33 PM
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#57
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Community Rank: Jetsetter
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Arlington Heights, IL
Posts: 2,739
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip - Pre-trip Update 7/9
That's great Marnie that you will get to try the dining plan. It sounds like you were able to rearrange your plans nicely. I know what you mean about Southwest. They are normally the cheapest airline out of Columbus and lately the fares have been going up.
Good luck and can't wait to hear more!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
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07-16-2006, 12:56 PM
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#58
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Maryland
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 14,723
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip - Pre-trip Update 7/9
Thanks for the update....
[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img]
....for a Ding!
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07-16-2006, 12:58 PM
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#59
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Community Rank: Legend 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Newtown Square, PA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 23,859
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip - Pre-trip Update 7/9
Marnie, I can't wait to see if the dining plan works out for you guys! Thanks for the update! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img]
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07-16-2006, 02:32 PM
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#60
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Living Seas wannabe
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 31,940
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Re: The Grand Fiesta 10th Anniversary Trip - Pre-trip Update 7/9
Wow Marnie - how great you get to take advantage of free dining!!
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Sponsored links
| | 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. |
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