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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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.
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07-11-2006, 10:10 AM
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#1
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PassPorter Guide
 Community Rank: Globetrotter 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,041
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Unlocking The Magic of The Florida Keys: Marathon and Big Pine (Part 2 of 3)
by Maureen Austin, PassPorter Message Board Guide Guest Contributor
(Note: The first installment of this series appeared in the May 3, 2006 edition of this newsletter.)
Let’s get back on the road as we continue to make our way and discover more of the natural beauty found in the Florida Keys!
Head about 50 miles south of Key Largo and you’ll find yourself in Marathon. The name has rich Florida history in its three syllables. Henry Flagler, an industrialist whose influence is found all over the state, built a railroad with a passageway through the Keys. The task was daunting and he often called it a marathon - thus the name for this area was born.
continued in next post...
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07-11-2006, 10:11 AM
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#2
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PassPorter Guide
Community Rank: Globetrotter
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,041
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Re: Unlocking The Magic of The Florida Keys: Marathon and Big Pine (Part 2 of 3)
Diving, snorkeling, fishing, and other water sports are a big claim to fame for this little island. Popular beaches include Sombrero Beach as well as Coco Plum Beach, which is frequented by visitors and locals alike.
Animal enthusiasts and eco tourists will find special pleasure in a visit to Crane Point Hammock. Here you can check out the Marathon Wild Bird Center, where injured or ill birds of the Keys find time and treatment so they may be returned to the wild. Don’t depart Crane Point before visiting the Museum of Natural History. In addition, an adjacent children’s museum provides wonderful exhibits to teach your little ones (and you too!) about the many animals that call the Keys and Florida home.
Marathon certainly welcomes golfers, with a host of private courses. Some of the private clubs boast reciprocity agreements with other clubs across the country - so if you’ve got the links on your mind and your agenda, phone ahead to inquire.
Smaller is better in Marathon and this holds true for accommodations in the area. Live Florida-style by checking out some of the traditional conch-style cottages available for rent. You can also choose among smaller, family run inns for unbeatable Florida hospitality.
Time to island hop on over to Big Pine Key. Travelers who enjoy a leisurely pace to touring and taking it all in will especially feel at home here.
One of this area’s best attributes is an obvious stop, but stunning just the same. Bahia Honda State Park has beaches of pristine sand and gorgeous waters that are so incredible, it’s frequently named one of our country’s best beaches. You’ll find all sorts of delightful shore and water activities to please every member of your family.
Amidst the natural beauty of the beaches and pines for which the island is named for, you’ll find an enchanting species of deer for which the area has also become famous. Key deer abound here and there are opportunities to view them in their natural habitats.
Kayakers will find an absolute haven here, with many tour operators and rentals available for kayaking and other water sports, too.
Looe Key is known for its amazing panorama under the water with some of the best snorkeling and diving south of Miami. In addition, get your groove on while under the water every July - dive down and attend the Underwater Music Festival! Elvis has left the building folks, and is playing among the fish!
Accommodations range from conch-style cottages to fish and dive camps to inns and motels. You’ll note the absence of large high rise hotels and resorts in the area, and as many locals will tell you, that’s all part of the charm.
Ready to plan your adventure? More information and resources for good travel planning are a click away.
http://www.thefloridakeys.com/bigpine/index.html
http://www.thefloridakeys.com/marathon/index.html
http://www.visitflorida.com/destinations/area.php/ca=54
http://www.bahiahondapark.com
About the Author: Maureen Austin is co-owner of Grand Getaways Travel and a proud Florida native. Born in South Florida and having lived all over the state, she enjoys writing about the Sunshine State's many attractions and natural beauty. |
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