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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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
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Moving on with the current of the years.
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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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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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I think we have more "Must Do's" than humanly possible for one 8 day trip.
It is our first trip and it's been a LONG time coming so I want to make sure we do enough but not too much KWIM.
So of our list of "Must Do's" what do you suggest we keep and get rid of (if any) or add
MVMCP
Candle light processional
BBB
Pirate League
Wishes
Osborne Lights
Block Party Bash
Playhouse Disney show
Fantasmic
Nemo Show
Photo Sessions (BBB one and possibly arranging one at the Poly)
Jungle Parade
Touring resorts to see Christmas Decorations
I'm sure there's more I'm forgetting. I'm wondering about Fantasmic as DD has special needs, she has GDD, SPD & Epilepsy, so I'm wondering if it might be just too much for her right now.
I think she'll be okay with fireworks if we get her some sound reducing headphones or something of that nature. We're not planning on doing a TON of rides as we're not sure how the kids will take to them so we do expect to take in more shows, parades etc. but as you all know that could change once we get there and the MAGIC begins.
Can't wait till our trip is closer and I can start a PTR so I can ask all my questions and waffle back and forth in one place.
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Rose Our little family Hook(DH), Tink(8) & Peter Pan(7), & Piglet 28 months or 24 months corrected.
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First time visiting WDW can be completely overwhelming, but I think from what you have listed, it's doable. . .especially since most things can be accomplished in one day/park visit.
For examples:
Visiting the resorts to see the decorations and MVMCP. You can do a monorail resort tour, check out the Contemporary, Poly, and GF and all their holiday glory, have dinner, and then go straight to the party.
Or, for the Candlelight Processional, you bundle that with Illuminations and seeing the Epcot resort-area decorations since everything is accessible by either walking or taking the boats from the "back" of Epcot.
I think as long as you can fit whatever event you want to see/do into when you'll be at or near that particular park, you'll be doing fine!
And planning how you can do it all, before the trip, just gives you one more thing you can do to pass the time before it's time to go!
Great suggestions I didn't even think of just popping by the resorts near the parks we are visting on the days we are visiting them. That could be a nice way to relax and have the kids get some "down time" also.
I really like the idea of a monorail decoration tour also since we will be at the Poly I might keep that in mind for our first day depending on when we get in.
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Rose Our little family Hook(DH), Tink(8) & Peter Pan(7), & Piglet 28 months or 24 months corrected.
As for your list, it's doable without being overwhelmed. The way we do it: arrange all of your "Must dos" by Park. For you this would be:
MK:
MVMCP
Photo Session
BB and Pirate League
Wishes
all could be done the same day!
EPCOT:
Candle Light Processional - I would recommend making it a dining package (guaranteed seating for both Candle Light and Illuminations, all the same day)
Nemo (fairly easy to get on, continuous loading - go any time)
DHS:
Osborne Lights (After dusk, but no def. time.)
Block Party Bash
Playhouse Disney (this does not have a certain time, so you can go anytime)
Fantasmic
AK:
Jungle Parade
(I'm adding Festival of the Lion King to your list - you'll love it!!)
Various Resorts:
Tour (when you're in EPCOT, walk out INternational Gateway between France and UK pavilions, and it's a short walk to Yacht and Beach Clubs and Boardwalk Inn, then a boat ride or a slightly longer walk to Swan and Dolphin resorts)
Go to AKL while you're at AK
Do a mono-rail resorts tour - or just hit one each day, on your way back to your resort)
The rest of the resorts are a little more out of the way, but all easy to access using WDW transport.
Now, just plan how many days you'll want to be in each park - and what times they open and close each night. It looks overwhelming when you look at in just ONE list, but now you have 5 lists, each with very few items!
I agree that listing your must-dos by park is the way to go. Since you're interested in shows and parades, I'll also mention two that we always make time for are Finding Nemo the Musical at AK and Spectromagic at MK. Have fun planning!
The priority for me would be the Christmas events and decorations, as they're only on during that time of the year. Make sure you see those in case future trips don't take you back during Christmas again. If you need to leave anything out, then make it the things that operate year round.
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Awesome thanks so much for grouping them by park for me that's a great idea. I guess there's probably a work sheet, or two, that would help us with this eh.
I agree that the Christmas celebrations are top priority for us that's my biggest motivator for waiting 11 months to go otherwise we would be going earlier.
I'm pleasantly surprised that you all think we could probably do all of these in one trip, we do still want to get in some rides though so we will have to work those in Soarin is DH's MUST do so we've got to squeeze that in.
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Rose Our little family Hook(DH), Tink(8) & Peter Pan(7), & Piglet 28 months or 24 months corrected.
Don't forget the gingerbread house in the GF! And I agree with the others, festival of the lion king while in AK. And at the poly, sometimes they have hula dancers in the lobby.
If your DD's epilepsy is touched off by strobe or laser lighting Fantasmic is not something I would recommend. However, if the laser or strobe lights are not a problem and you have the headphones, I would definitely recommend it. If she seems to get agitated or stressed, as long as you're sitting near the top along an exit lane you should be able to leave quickly if need be.
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