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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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04-20-2006, 05:27 PM
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#1
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Community Rank: Explorer 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Columbia, SC
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 7,014
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Girl Power - - Take Two Pictures of Jasmine added!
With only ten days to go until our second annual mommy/daughter surprise trip[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img][img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img], I thought it was time to start a pre-trip report and give a little background on how we got to this point. The title of our trip comes from a little thing that Mary Devall and I do when she needs a little extra encouragement or has a big accomplishment. We give each other double thumbs up[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img][img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] and say “Girl Power!” together. She has done a lot of growing up this year and she has [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] her baby sister from the moment Maddie was born, so I really want this to be an extra special trip for us.
About a week before Christmas, Thom and I were talking about what else, Disney, [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] and I was reminiscing about my mommy/daughter trip with Mary Devall last May. Suddenly, I had a crazy thought “Do you think I could handle both girls at Disney next May?” Thom answered back with “Oh sure!” and then proceeded to look at me like I had just grown a second head [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]“I don’t think so.” He reminded me that Maddie would only be 7 months old in May, but he totally blew me away with his next statement [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] “Why don’t you just take Mary Devall again and Maddie can stay home with me?” He didn’t have to ask twice because I think I had the entire trip planned within the next 5 minutes - - I just happened to have been holding the DVC point guide in my hand. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]
The next morning, I was [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/phone.gif[/img] with DVC first thing and had our reservations at VWL within minutes [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]. Although I love BCV, I am discovering that VWL is quickly gaining a place in my heart and it is just so convenient when you have a little girl who loves MK more than anything. Once again, we would be staying Monday through Friday. So far, our second annual mommy/daughter surprise trip was looking like an exact snapshot of the first annual trip (except I wasn’t pregnant this year [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]).
Flights from Columbia to Orlando usually bottom out at about $200, so when I saw that price the first time that I checked Delta I booked the tickets immediately. So within two days of making this decision, we already had lodging and transportation. We had the early morning flight (8:30) that Monday morning to Orlando and we would be returning to Columbia that Friday evening on the 8 p.m. flight (I learned my lesson last May - - stretch your trip out as long as possible! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]).
Since we were already within our 180 days for making ADR’s, I quickly strategized our park plans and food preferences (well, my food preferences since I will be with an ice cream sandwich and chicken nugget loving four-year-old [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]). All of the character meals worked well last time, so I thought a repeat of those would be nice, but I also wanted to try some new ones.
One special thing that I wanted to do with Mary Devall was the Princess Tea. I had read about this event for some time now and thought this would be the perfect opportunity to take Mary Devall. And since we were doing something special for Mary Devall that day (like I’m not going to have a blast there! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]), I thought we could do something special for me that evening and dine at Artist Point. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] Okay, let's face it, I simply cannot read one more of Larry's tr's without trying AP for myself! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]
Even though I was well within the 180 days, I was able to snag all of my ADR’s with no problem. Here are our park plans and ADRs:
Monday, May 1
Park: MK
Meeting MontiMouse and her sister for “real” ice cream sandwiches and the parade[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/hi.gif[/img] Monica!
Dinner at Chef Mickey’s (new)
Tuesday, May 2
Park: Epcot
Breakfast at PSB
Dinner at Garden Grill
Wednesday, May 3
Park: MGM
My Girl Princess Tea (from 10:30 to 12:00) (new)
Dinner at AP (new)
Thursday, May 4
Parks: AK/MK
Breakfast at Donald’s Breakastosaurus
Dinner at LTT (new)
Friday, May 5
Park: MK
Breakfast at CP
Lunch at CRT
Within days after making our ADR’s, the news broke about the Disney Dining Plan being available to DVC members on April 1 [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]. I did a few quick calculations and figured that it would probably be in our best interest to go for the plan, so in January I called and added it to our reservation with no problem (I will be calling this Sunday to make our ADR’s for our October trip, so I will most probably cancel our breakfast ADR’s at Donald’s and CP on our last two days for this trip. We have 4 counter service meals to use, so I think I would rather use those instead of paying out of pocket for these two additional table service meals especially when we already have another character meal on each of those days.) I think it will be fun experimenting with DDP on this trip! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/hungry.gif[/img]
The only thing left to plan was our transportation to and from the airport which was a no brainer for me. When we said goodbye to Waseem (from TTC) at the airport on our January trip, I whispered to him that I would be calling soon [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]. Days after returning from that trip, I had him booked for May.
So . . . the rest of the time, I’ve just been keeping this big ole secret to myself and trying not to whip myself up into a frenzy [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]. If possible, I’m even more excited this year about surprising her. I think she will be even more surprised and excited about this trip since she is an older and wiser 4-year-old [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]!
She does know about our MNSSHP[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/jack.gif[/img] trip in October, so I laughingly told Thom that we’ll have to make sure she realizes that this is not the Halloween party trip. I can just see her little mind working “How did Halloween get here so soon?”[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img]
So, if I’m a little giddier than normal over the next week and a half, you now know why! I am so ready to share my excitement with Mary Devall and see the look on her face when she finds out that we are going back to Disney! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img]
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04-20-2006, 05:54 PM
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#2
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Community Rank: Scout 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Lafayette, LA & BCV
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 4,751
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Re: Girl Power - - Take Two (Pre-trip report)
Oh Jill, I wish I could see the look on Mary Devall's face when you surprise her!!! I remember and still think about her telling everyone in the airport last year that she was going to Disneyworld.
See ya in 10 days!!!!!!!!!!!
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04-20-2006, 06:53 PM
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#3
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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: Girl Power - - Take Two (Pre-trip report)
Be sure to have Thom there with the camera when you tell Mary Devall!!!
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04-20-2006, 07:14 PM
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#4
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Community Rank: Legend 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: North Central Ohio
Posts: 21,629
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Re: Girl Power - - Take Two (Pre-trip report)
I'm so happy for you and Mary Devall! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] Can't wait to read all about your trip and see your pics! Btw, love your new sig pic!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
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04-20-2006, 07:46 PM
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#5
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Community Rank: Legend
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Dreaming of the Future
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 24,867
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Re: Girl Power - - Take Two (Pre-trip report)
This sounds like an exciting trip! I can't wait to hear all about it!
Safe Travels and have a magical time!
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04-20-2006, 09:20 PM
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#6
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: NE Ohio
Concierge Level: 8
Posts: 11,856
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Re: Girl Power - - Take Two (Pre-trip report)
It sounds like you have a great trip planned. I wish I could see Mary Devall's face when she finds out she's going to Disney World.
Liz
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*
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04-21-2006, 12:42 AM
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#7
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Community Rank: Navigator 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Peoria IL
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 6,423
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Re: Girl Power - - Take Two (Pre-trip report)
Your surprise trip last year is what gave me the idea to do the same thing for Kiara. But, I have to wait until the end of September to see that precious look of surprise you will be seeing in just a few days.
I can't wait to hear about her reaction and all the magical moments of your trip.
BTW, when are you going to MNSSHP?
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04-21-2006, 07:27 AM
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#8
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Columbia, SC
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 7,014
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Re: Girl Power - - Take Two (Pre-trip report)
[ QUOTE ]
BTW, when are you going to MNSSHP?
[/ QUOTE ]
From 10/20 through 10/23 (Friday through Monday). Any time close to your trip?
Jill
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04-21-2006, 09:55 AM
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#9
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: SW MO
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 10,461
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Re: Girl Power - - Take Two (Pre-trip report)
[ QUOTE ]
Be sure to have Thom there with the camera when you tell Mary Devall!!!
[/ QUOTE ]
Oh Yeeaaahh! We're excited for you. I wish that I had someone to surprise with a trip. Have a marvelous time and good luck keeping a secret that big! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
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04-21-2006, 11:54 AM
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#10
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Community Rank: Trekker 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 1,019
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Re: Girl Power - - Take Two (Pre-trip report)
Great start Jill!!!
I'd like to do this with my dd sometime!! I love how you're keeping it a surprise!!!
Your plans sound great!
Can't wait to read more! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
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04-21-2006, 12:22 PM
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#11
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Community Rank: Jetsetter 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Mateo, CA
Posts: 2,490
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Re: Girl Power - - Take Two (Pre-trip report)
I've been waiting for this (pre-) trip report as I look at your countdown, Jill! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] Can't wait to hear all about it and check out the pictures of Mary Devall. We're all in love with that girl, you know! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
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04-21-2006, 12:46 PM
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#12
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RED SOX NATION!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854
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Re: Girl Power - - Take Two (Pre-trip report)
What great plans Jill [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] Can't wait to hear all about it [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
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04-21-2006, 01:18 PM
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#13
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New York
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 7,960
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Re: Girl Power - - Take Two (Pre-trip report)
[ QUOTE ]
He didn’t have to ask twice because I think I had the entire trip planned within the next 5 minutes - - I just happened to have been holding the DVC point guide in my hand. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]
[/ QUOTE ]
This totally cracked me up! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] I'm looking forward to hearing about this trip!
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04-21-2006, 02:40 PM
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#14
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Community Rank: Legend Extraordinaire 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Ohio Football Hall Of Fame
Posts: 42,304
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Re: Girl Power - - Take Two (Pre-trip report)
Sounds like you really have a wonderful trip planned Jill!! Mary Devall will love the Princess Tea, my daughters really did!!
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04-21-2006, 10:45 PM
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#15
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But why is the rum gone?
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Needville, Texas
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 12,286
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Re: Girl Power - - Take Two (Pre-trip report)
Great start Jill I can't wait to hear about it and to see if Mary Devall tells everyone at the airport where she is going!!! She is too cute!
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