Make your choice Adventurous Stranger...A Goin Solo PTR - Page 13 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
I've been away for a few days and finally getting a chance to catch up with everyone's reports.
Your trip to Edison is a bit northern for me, but I hope you have a safe trip. Congrats on the lower trailer rental and the reduces airfare costs. Your family drama sounds like they should be on the Real Housewives show.
Funny you should mention the Real Housewives, they live next town over from my Grandfather. I've been to the restaurant/catering facility Caroline owns - it's very nice. However, I stopped watching during the first season because they remind me of all the catty, fake, pompous people I left behind. Yes, there really are families like that up there (just like Jersey Shore). It's just a demographic (as you are well aware) that makes for funny TV. Oh, and I used to work across the street from The Gatsby Salon (Jerseylicious) and it was a dump that I wouldn't frequent.
It's nice to see your sig pic from Dutch Wonderland, I still remember this little house you sat in and the house revolved upside down around you while you sat still - great optical illusion!
Caution there must be, of course, along with venturesome courage. - Walt Disney
Today I hit the milestone known as 100 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So close yet so far.
Only thing I have succeeded in accomplishing this week is pouring over menus from the awesome restaurants at the Swan & Dolphin. Probably won't have much more than a glass of wine and perhaps an appetizer due to my dinners planned over at the F&WF kiosks.
I did get a wee bit excited for no reason when I saw www.restaurant.com was having $25 certificates for $2 for select Disney restaurants. Unfortunately, minimum of 2 entrees for a solo traveler is a wee bit extreme. Anyone like to meet me for dinner???
On the "moving saga", I visited Kmart on Saturday to place every possible item in the store on layaway. Well, almost everything. Since my moving in weekend consists of driving to and from New Jersey (1500 miles round trip) to empty my storage unit & moving my stuff from current home to new apt all within three days, I don't have time to shop for essentials (tp, sheets, towels, etc). I figured if I shop now, leave it in layaway for a month, I'll be able to pay it off slowly and it will already be boxed up and ready to load in my truck. Less packing to do!
I also had a FB chat yesterday with my BFF's boyfriend. Her Bday is next Wednesday and he wants me to fly down to attend her party on the 9th. I DO have that SWA credit and he offered to pay the balance. Sounds great but I would have to take days off (no pay since vakay days return in Sept) and try to get my restaurants shifts covered (good luck). I don't think it's gonna happen.
Funny you should mention the Real Housewives, they live next town over from my Grandfather. I've been to the restaurant/catering facility Caroline owns - it's very nice. However, I stopped watching during the first season because they remind me of all the catty, fake, pompous people I left behind. Yes, there really are families like that up there (just like Jersey Shore). It's just a demographic (as you are well aware) that makes for funny TV. Oh, and I used to work across the street from The Gatsby Salon (Jerseylicious) and it was a dump that I wouldn't frequent.
It's nice to see your sig pic from Dutch Wonderland, I still remember this little house you sat in and the house revolved upside down around you while you sat still - great optical illusion!
I hated that ride It made me nauseous. Evan loved it though. I can't stand any of those Jersey shows because I LIVE in New Jersey and don't know anyone like that. Just gives us all a bad name.
sounds like your trip is going to be AWSOME. don't think my DH would let me go without him, he enjoys it as much as me!
Same here. Although I'm working on going to meet some girls from here next spring. Fingers crossed & pixies.
You're in double digits now!!!
Congrats on the credit! We got one too and will be using it next year - had to move dates, but that's ok. Or maybe I can use part for the trip in the spring. I'll already have that AP.
Bummer on your friends party.
Good Luck with the move!
I am interested in entertaining people, in bringing pleasure, particularly laughter -Walt Disney
Here I sit, 86 days out with all these plans spinning in my head yet I cannot do a thing about them. Frustrating? You bet. Once the move is over (two more weeks!) I can return to my vacation planning.
Some things spinning in my head are first and foremost, how in the world will I be paid in full prior to leaving?? I don't think PIF will happen this trip and I am a wee bit peeved. What can I do? I've got to pay for my moving expenses first and then start attacking the vacation bills. At least I talked my credit card company into cutting my interest rate in half so if I must charge the vakay, I won't be paying too much interest.
I am also rethinking my costume for MNSSHP. I was set on dressing up as Jack Sparrow. I was going to do the "cannibal" face paint from Dead Man's Chest and perhaps go as far as making the crazy headdress he sported in the film. But then I realized, I'm flying (ick!) and my costume will have to fit in my suitcase. Ok, headdress gone! I also thought about the possibility of my room not being ready early - what if I couldn't check in until 4pm?!?!? That would mean getting that makeup done, costume on and at MK gate in less than 3 hours. Not to mention enjoy a few ABs in the mean time.
So, backup plan. My other costume choice is Flo from the Progressive Commercials. I was Flo a few years ago (when she first burst onto the scene) and had a blast! It would be a very easy costume to transport and put on in a flash. However, this is not a Disney costume. I would feel all sorts of weird not being a Disney character.
Which costume do I choose?
I am also mourning the loss of Flynn Ryder and Prince Naveen at the Rapunzel/Tiana meet and greets. We had a great time with both gentleman on our last trip. It just makes for a much more enjoyable experience when both characters are present and listen to them interact. Same goes with Aladdin/Jasmine and Ariel/Eric. Sources say Flynn will be back for MNSSHP but what about the other gents??
I'm going to try to find pics of both costumes and post for your opinions.
Hi, me again. Just one more thing. i ran across some cool new items over at Epcot courtesy of wdwnewstoday.com. Looks like I'll be bringing back some new earhats for some folks and some beads from the new kiosk at the outpost. I'm dying to know what's behind the wall in Japan (as stated over at allears - an outdoor sake bar??) do tell!!
I really like your JAck Sparrow costume! The Flo one is very cute, too. If you have to travel light, I would do that, but maybe add some Mickey ears and have her selling trip insurance?
I really like your JAck Sparrow costume! The Flo one is very cute, too. If you have to travel light, I would do that, but maybe add some Mickey ears and have her selling trip insurance?
That's a cute idea! But if you have room, I like Jack best.
Tough tough call there Jennie. Flo is easier to put on and less in luggage but Capt Jack is one of the better ones Ive seen Either way you still win You are waering it at WDW
Side note sorry to see you took down byline from weekend under your screen name. Had me in stitches when I noticed it
Tough decision! I went to Party City recently and they had a kit to do the Cannibal Jack costume - came with temporary tattoo eyes - so no make-up!
I saw that kit online but I'm "one of those" Halloween fans that must go all out and do my own makeup. I actually had a mustache and goatee that I used when I originally wore the costume for Halloween. I decided against wearing it at Disney because we had a ressie at CRT before the Pirate & Princess Party and didn't want to mess with facial hair! I used theatrical makeup instead. If I go as Jack this year, I'll wear the hair.
I really like your JAck Sparrow costume! The Flo one is very cute, too. If you have to travel light, I would do that, but maybe add some Mickey ears and have her selling trip insurance?
Love that idea! The ears would help keep my wig on should I decide to ride SM. Not to mention, I would be allowed to smile in the pictures. All the pics from the Pirate & Princess Party (with the exception of those with Jack) I'm beaming like an idiot - totally out of character!
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
That's a cute idea! But if you have room, I like Jack best.
I do love the Jack costume. I'm just concerned there will be hundreds of Jacks walking around. Don't think I'll be seeing too many Flos.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeL
Tough tough call there Jennie. Flo is easier to put on and less in luggage but Capt Jack is one of the better ones Ive seen Either way you still win You are waering it at WDW
Side note sorry to see you took down byline from weekend under your screen name. Had me in stitches when I noticed it
Oh! I didn't know that disappeared, must remedy that! Yep, I will be in WDW no matter which costume I decide to wear. I also have a Snow White costume (never worn) but I am SO NOT Princess material. Unless I dress up as Rapunzel and go around whomping folks over the head with a frying pan!!
You are an inspiration to all us gals whose DH don't share the same Disney addiction & facination as we do. Maybe someday I will take a solo trip.
__________________
Planning a trip to WDW is like planning a wedding... If you expect things to be flawless, you will be sadly disappointed. If you know that there will be less than perfect times & decide to just laugh them off, then you will be excited when you find the magic all around you.
About This Page: 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
Holly: 
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
Linear Mode
