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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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So, for our trip to New England, we're thinking of driving in to Boston for the 4th and going to the Hatch to see the Pops and the fireworks.
Has anyone that's done this have any hints? I know we need to get to the Hatch at the crack of dawn to get entry, but then what?
I've done it just once about 25 years ago. Take the T into Boston, I believe it's free that evening. Bring lots of sunscreen and water. I'm sure that many things have changed since the marathon bombing. Backpacks might be regulated. Check on WBZ-TV for some tips and restrictions.
I've done it just once about 25 years ago. Take the T into Boston, I believe it's free that evening. Bring lots of sunscreen and water. I'm sure that many things have changed since the marathon bombing. Backpacks might be regulated. Check on WBZ-TV for some tips and restrictions.
Thanks! Yeah - no more back packs. Everything has to be in clear bags. SMALL purses are allowed, but only after searched. No rolling coolers. The list of NOs is pretty long. We can, however, take folding chairs and a 10X12 canopy.
I, like Joanne, haven't done it for years. I am not sure I would do the trip from Killington. You are talking a 3-4 hour drive without traffic and the traffic on the 4th can be horrible.
We are Museuum of Science members and they have a 4th celebration from their parking lot (looks over the Charles) and music from the Pops is pumped in. It's a great night but even going into the museum in the early afternoon, there is bumper to bumper traffic on 93.
The T is the MBTA, the pubic transportation system for the area, Generally when I say T, I am referring to the "subway" portion of the system, It is not all under ground and is a pretty easy way to get around the city, It also hooks into the commuter rail. The website is MBTA.com.
The other thing is you cannot count on Boston weather. We have had lovely 4ths, 70-80, sunny gentle breeze, horrible hot and humid ones muggy, 80-90 and overcast, and rainy and cold ones high of sixty with constant rain. On a nice day, it can be fun sitting on the esplanade all day, Other times the bugs will eat you alive,
There are usually lots of celebrations in NE for the 4th. I would check out what there is locally.
Also it sometimes takes longer to get places in NE. IN Vermont you have lots of two lane "highways" and they go through hills and mountains. Without others on the riads, it can be a slow drive. I always seem to get behind the 1932 pickup truck barrelling along at 20 mph, always fun when you cannot pass.
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Charlie
Last edited by Huntermom; 06-11-2014 at 08:32 PM..
As challenging as I found driving in Boston some years ago in midsummer on a regular day, no way I'd go near the place on any summer holiday. Thus, I heartily agree with the suggestion to find fireworks somewhere near where you're staying.
For someone like yourself accustomed to Indiana's climate, you would likely find a 90-degree day in Boston just plain torture. I was purely miserable in 90-degree heat there, being used to humidity rarely any higher than 45%. Think WDW weather in the summer, and that can be what you'll get in Boston with the likelihood the next day is so chilly you're bundled to the teeth.
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“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” —Winnie-the-Pooh
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I love new England but even as a life long resident cannot cope well with the change in temperatures. it can co from 90-40 in a day, never mind two days. It can also go the other way, Making planning for a day outside tricky and difficult when you are limited as to what you can carry.
We actually have gone to the Esplanade on the 4th in the afternoon and while we could see the fire works and hear the Pops, we were a good long walk from the Hatch shell.
the Royal Sonesta and I think it's the Hyatt have good viewing from the Cambridge side of the Charles but I suspect rooms are pretty steep for the 4th.
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Charlie
Last edited by Huntermom; 06-14-2014 at 01:53 PM..
Reason: spelling
Oh, I had a marvelous time on the three different trips I did there--ulp!--30 years ago. Just purely love how beautiful the scenery is during those three months of darn poor sledding.
I certainly learned along the coast in Maine why McDonald's only sold hot tea when it was 98 for two days and then upper 50's and rainy the next! I was so surprised at not being able to get an iced tea for the road until the drive-up attendant said in that unmistakable Maine accent, "Not from around here, are you?" and smiled. Then, I figured out what a regional thing iced tea must be! Had NO idea till that moment. (Couldn't get a chicken-fried steak or bbq anywhere up there either. That fabulous fresh seafood made up for it and then some, though!)
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“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” —Winnie-the-Pooh
Oh, I had a marvelous time on the three different trips I did there--ulp!--30 years ago. Just purely love how beautiful the scenery is during those three months of darn poor sledding.
I certainly learned along the coast in Maine why McDonald's only sold hot tea when it was 98 for two days and then upper 50's and rainy the next! I was so surprised at not being able to get an iced tea for the road until the drive-up attendant said in that unmistakable Maine accent, "Not from around here, are you?" and smiled. Then, I figured out what a regional thing iced tea must be! Had NO idea till that moment. (Couldn't get a chicken-fried steak or bbq anywhere up there either. That fabulous fresh seafood made up for it and then some, though!)
I wish you could have seen the look on the kids face when I asked for Ice Coffee here in TX. People drink ice coffee year round in New England so I figured it would be a safe bet in the summer here. He said "You want whaaaaaat, your coffee cold??"
I did the Pops for years when I was a kid. It is a lot of hassle but I have to say it is a magical experience. Don your red white and blue, bring a deck of cards and other entertainment (Soft Frisbee or catch game) to kill time and just take it all in! Also I would suggest to bring cash so you aren't giving any random vendors access to your credit card. That fancy lemonade is hard to pass up!
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If you're up for the adventure, then go for it. I use the Riverside MBTA stop and public transpo it into Boston. It's just off of Rte 128 and it's at the end of the "green" line. There are other places that would work just as well. I've never driven into/out of Boston without crying so I wouldn't recommend that. But you may be braver than I am. Have a wonderful time, you'll have lots of stories to tell when you get back.
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