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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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.

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There are other changes as well.

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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.

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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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Old 07-12-2011, 09:45 AM   #1
CinderAbby
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Remember those kiosks that sold those huge balls? They've all closed

According to WDWmagic they're completely gone

Epcot news - Balzac no longer for sale in any of the Disney parks

I never knew those balls actually had a specific name but I always walked by them and wondered if anyone ever bought them. I didn't as I knew with 3 dogs at home who love any kind of ball, one wouldn't last past 5 minutes - if even that - in my house.
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Old 07-12-2011, 09:46 AM   #2
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We bought a few of them over the years... not the Super-Huge ones, but the pretty big ones. Sorry to hear they are no longer for sale at WDW.
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Old 07-12-2011, 10:17 AM   #3
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I was always intrigued by them, but never bought any. I worried about how durable they would be. And they were a little pricey for a ball from what I remember.
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Old 07-12-2011, 10:23 AM   #4
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Smile

We have bought two in the past 5 or 6 years...one is in our owners locker and one is at home for the pool. Because they are really just a thick balloon inside they are quite durable. We have only had to replace the balloon once in one of the balls, so I still have a bunch of replacements.
I am sorry to hear they will no longer be available. We have really enjoyed them!
But, for us we will continue to enjoy the ones we have for years to come!
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Old 07-12-2011, 11:45 AM   #5
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My friend once told me that he was employed at Epcot, and I asked what position - he said he was a bouncer.

I replied, there are no areas in Epcot that require a bouncer.

He then clarified, that he was a Balzac bouncer.

Sorry that the Balzac's are gone. They added a fun presence, I guess.
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Old 07-12-2011, 02:57 PM   #6
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Wow - that must be pretty recent, they were still there on the 4th of July!
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Old 07-12-2011, 04:34 PM   #7
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Thanks for the info!
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Old 07-12-2011, 04:56 PM   #8
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I wonder why. They were kind of iconic to the park
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Old 07-12-2011, 04:57 PM   #9
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we had one from our first trip. brings back memories. it lasted for years
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Old 07-13-2011, 01:30 AM   #10
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That's a shame to hear.
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Old 07-13-2011, 08:00 AM   #11
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We have a Buzz Lightyear one that the boys got years ago. Sorry to hear they are gone.
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Old 07-13-2011, 08:09 AM   #12
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I was use to getting a giant ball bounced in my direction as we walked by the stand. Too bad I never bought one.
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Old 07-13-2011, 09:05 AM   #13
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wow something else I did not get!
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Old 07-13-2011, 09:10 AM   #14
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We have one that we bought a few years ago. It is still around today after being passed down from the older kids.
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Old 07-13-2011, 10:52 AM   #15
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My son bought one a few years ago. On our last trip he asked how much the giant one costs and was told "$350"! He said, guess I am not getting that, mom! I wonder if anyone did buy the big one very often. I am sorry to hear they are leaving the parks
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