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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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Happy almost Thanksgiving! My family and I are going to visit my DMIL in Dandridge, TN, over the Thanksgiving holiday. She is planning to take us to Dollywood next Friday. We've never been and haven't read too much about it. Anybody have any info? We have 3 children (8, 5, and 1)...anything that is a must-do? I know almost everything you need to know about Disney World, but close to nothing about other amusement parks. The planner in me is having a hard time just going with the flow on this one! Thanks!
Just go with the flow on this one. I have been ahandful of times throught out my life. My DH used to go all the time, but he's at work right now. I know Dolly has been spending a lot of money to add new thrill rides. I don't like thrill rides. I do know the shows are wonderful and if the Christmas lights are up, they are not to miss. Years ago they had a fun train ride, like WDW ,but with actors. I don't know if it is till there.There are some cute shops and a beautiful little church. I don't think it's as exciting as WDW, of course , but I think it will be an enjoyable day for you and your kids. Feel free to PM me and I can ask DH some questions for you. Or I'll try to add more when he gets home. Sorry, I am not more help.
i went there four and a half years ago on my high school senior trip. we didn't really have that much time there, so i think i only got to ride the train and eat pizza before it was time to leave. seriously, i was only there for maybe four hours. i remember an area where you could watch them blow glass, and the bald eagles. and the souvenir store. it was a neat place, and i wish i would have had more time there. i really didn't do any rides, just the train. i think they've updated it some since i've been there. have fun!
It's really cool, very family friendly. There are crafts demonstrations, rides for both kids and grown-ups and several shows. I haven't looked at Dollywood's info, but we've been to Silver Dollar City in Branson (Dollywood's sister park) the past two Thanksgivings (going again next week!) and it is awesome. The lights are amazing and they have special holiday snacks and drinks available. I think you will have a great time.
OMG, when I read your thread's title, I thought you were going to Bollywood! So never mind me, I'd never heard of Dollywood before so for whatever weird reason I thought you were planning a trip to India. Ups
I've never been, but ever since I saw the Travel Channel special, it's on my list of places I'd love to visit. It looks really cool! They have an amusement park, a "historic" town and shows. Apparently, if Dolly happens to be there, she will play a show that you can see for free (with admission to the park of course).
We go to Dollywood atleast once a year since it is only about 3 hours away. We even had season passes one year. It is not Disney but it is fun. They have a nice area for kids some of it is Veggie Tale theme. Lots of demonstrations and shows. The Christmas lights are great. You really don't need much planning it is a small park. If you like coasters don't miss Thunderhead. Have fun.
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My DW and I went there during our honeymoon last year in December. We both had a great time and would love to go back sometime soon. The park has something for everyone, esp during Christmas time. Lots of shows, demonstrations, and the lights are beautiful. Excellent food. Even a couple rollercoasters and a brand new thrill ride that just opened this year!
You can learn almost anything you need to know about Dollywood at Dolly Parton's Great Smoky Mountain family Amusement Park. Also, they have an 800 number -- 1-800-DOLLYWOOD (this is answered by actual live people, so you can ask anything you want!). Personally, I always have a wonderful time at Dollywood. Your 8 yr. old may get bored fast (depends on interests), but the other 2 should have a great time. Check out Dreamland Forest and the new section... oh... it's something with logging, go a little left and then straight up from the front gate. Hope you have a fantastic time!
Thanks for all of the info, guys! I think I'll take your advice and just go with the flow! It should be a fun day and will help get everyone in the Christmas spirit!
Quote:
I thought you were planning a trip to India. Ups
Wow! I definitely wouldn't have been able to do that without planning! My personality just wouldn't allow it!
Anyway, thanks to everyone. Hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!
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I have been ahandful of times throught out my life. My DH used to go all the time, but he's at work right now. I know Dolly has been spending a lot of money to add new thrill rides. I don't like thrill rides. I do know the shows are wonderful and if the Christmas lights are up, they are not to miss. Years ago they had a fun train ride, like WDW ,but with actors. I don't know if it is till there.There are some cute shops and a beautiful little church. I don't think it's as exciting as WDW, of course
So never mind me, I'd never heard of Dollywood before so for whatever weird reason I thought you were planning a trip to India. Ups 
Wow! I definitely wouldn't have been able to do that without planning! My personality just wouldn't allow it! 
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