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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
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I'm sensing that you're talking about more than just coping at WDW.
In the past I've been dx'd with anxiety and panic disorders and I really hate mind-numbing drugs (klonopin, etc) so I had to deal with things on my own and I have some really rotten memories. Once I was pg my bp was high and my dr put me on a beta-blocker and it changed everything---my heartrate was no longer able to get elevated which is what led to so much trauma in my life and 4 years later I'm on the same beta-blockers and feel so much more in control.
My social job (customer service) however, was still torture. Circumstances led me to become a ft SAHM in October and since then can count the real-live conversations I've had with others outside my family on 1-2 hands. As an introvert and an internet junkie, I've been perfectly fine with that. Monday I had an IEP meeting with 5 teachers and therapists and case workers.........Old Me would have still been reeling over what a wreck I'd behave over this sort of interaction, but instead, I felt like I was in control and beneficial to my DS's progress.
A huge source of recently-discovered confidence for me is THE GYM. My DS started going to preschool 5 mornings per week and I needed to eat up time. I started seeing results almost immediately, and even though I was EATING my "profits" from burnt calories, my brain was getting healthier. Soon enough, something got jarred loose in there and I'm now able to get my appetite under control and it's like a whole new world. I'm 38 and never felt so enthusiastic for the future. I also take way fewer beta-blockers.
Clearly, it's not easy to get gym time when you have 4 kids. All I can say is that if you spend a lot of time in your head (I identify with a lot with what you've said, and spend a lot of time in my head) that a treadmill, if you can get your feet on one 1 hour per day, is a miracle maker.
As far as feeling like a fool when talking to people at WDW or elsewhere, I take Dr. Phil's dad's advice to heart: You wouldn't worry so much about what people thought of you if you realized how seldom they did.
I'm sensing that you're talking about more than just coping at WDW.
In the past I've been dx'd with anxiety and panic disorders and I really hate mind-numbing drugs (klonopin, etc) so I had to deal with things on my own and I have some really rotten memories. Once I was pg my bp was high and my dr put me on a beta-blocker and it changed everything---my heartrate was no longer able to get elevated which is what led to so much trauma in my life and 4 years later I'm on the same beta-blockers and feel so much more in control.
My social job (customer service) however, was still torture. Circumstances led me to become a ft SAHM in October and since then can count the real-live conversations I've had with others outside my family on 1-2 hands. As an introvert and an internet junkie, I've been perfectly fine with that. Monday I had an IEP meeting with 5 teachers and therapists and case workers.........Old Me would have still been reeling over what a wreck I'd behave over this sort of interaction, but instead, I felt like I was in control and beneficial to my DS's progress.
A huge source of recently-discovered confidence for me is THE GYM. My DS started going to preschool 5 mornings per week and I needed to eat up time. I started seeing results almost immediately, and even though I was EATING my "profits" from burnt calories, my brain was getting healthier. Soon enough, something got jarred loose in there and I'm now able to get my appetite under control and it's like a whole new world. I'm 38 and never felt so enthusiastic for the future. I also take way fewer beta-blockers.
Clearly, it's not easy to get gym time when you have 4 kids. All I can say is that if you spend a lot of time in your head (I identify with a lot with what you've said, and spend a lot of time in my head) that a treadmill, if you can get your feet on one 1 hour per day, is a miracle maker.
As far as feeling like a fool when talking to people at WDW or elsewhere, I take Dr. Phil's dad's advice to heart: You wouldn't worry so much about what people thought of you if you realized how seldom they did.
Thank you for this post. I don't know what my problem is. I have always had an issue with social anxiety. I really don't know why. I have 5 children but they are all in school and I have most of the day to myself except for the time that I take to get on my online classes and do my work. I live in a very remote area and we have no gyms in the rinky dink town I live in. I would love to get a treadmill, maybe that would help.
Hopefully as I grow older I can work thru this. I don't know..I'm 33 and still have not worked through it.
I love my children and being a SAHM, I love spending time with my husband when he is home (he's a truck driver) I just also long for what I see everyone else have and that's friendships. But my SA holds me back.
Even today I had to go to school and have a meeting with my 6 year old daughters teacher because she's having a few problems in school and I had to sit there and bite the inside of my lip so I wouldn't start crying and I don't even know why I was about to cry.
I may be out of line, but from my perspective (I've been deep into the ocean, and back) that a 600 dollar treadmill investment in yourself and your family, is worth it. Even if you're just walking 2.0 mph, you can take the time to indulge into your thoughts and work them out with a healthy bloodflow, and within time you'll pick up the pace and then you'll be healthy and body and mind. When I had one at my house I was able to set it up so my laptop was on it and could walk for hours. I don't normally sell so hard on exercise equipment, but I sense in you that this could be the step-forward you need. One step at a time. Today 2 mph treadmill, tomorrow fantastic fulfilling friendships (SANS paranoia.)
Once you gain objectivity, you can see why your emotions get to you as you sit waiting for your child's teacher. Lots of hugs, you have a lot on your plate. Take care of yourself.
I have to second what Rachel is saying about exercising in some way. When DBF and I go for a bike ride, he does seem to have a little less anxiety about things. But when we go days without riding the bikes, he tends to start getting more anxiety attacks. Now that Rachel has pointed that out, I will definitely work harder to get him out on the bikes more often to see if that helps him.
I'm sensing that you're talking about more than just coping at WDW.
A huge source of recently-discovered confidence for me is THE GYM. My DS started going to preschool 5 mornings per week and I needed to eat up time. I started seeing results almost immediately, and even though I was EATING my "profits" from burnt calories, my brain was getting healthier. Soon enough, something got jarred loose in there and I'm now able to get my appetite under control and it's like a whole new world. I'm 38 and never felt so enthusiastic for the future. I also take way fewer beta-blockers.
Clearly, it's not easy to get gym time when you have 4 kids. All I can say is that if you spend a lot of time in your head (I identify with a lot with what you've said, and spend a lot of time in my head) that a treadmill, if you can get your feet on one 1 hour per day, is a miracle maker.
As far as feeling like a fool when talking to people at WDW or elsewhere, I take Dr. Phil's dad's advice to heart: You wouldn't worry so much about what people thought of you if you realized how seldom they did.
While I don't have any problems with Social Anxiety, my mother does in a major way. She absolutely loves WDW! She told me that it is the one place that she felt like her anxieties went away. She just thinks everyone there is so friendly, even the other guests. It's easier to talk to people because you have a common interest and you are at the same place. She feels it's the one place she can open up and be herself with any anxieties. She says it's truly magical!
I would like to add my 2 cents for what it's worth. I have a very hard time with social anxiety also. AND my job requires I talk to people CONSTANTLY and in a way that makes THEM feel safe and secure (I am a nurse in a level one trauma center!). One way that helped me was to just spark up a conversation in line with others at WDW as some posters have suggested. I was also VERY over weight for a long time and found exercise to be a huge help with my anxiety. I do yoga 2-3 times a week and now find if I am not doing it my anxiety gets worse. Since losing 70lbs I have decided to start running (though NOT well!) and have signed up for the Disney half Marathon next January.
While no one thing will work for everyone, I will say that getting up and moving WILL make you feel better about YOURSELF. Whether or not you lose weight (which you probably will), maybe you can accept that EVERYONE has something about themselves that they "worry" about. That is part of being human. I accept that I am either "not perfect" or "perfect just as I am". Either works for me. But with that, I have to accept that others are 'not perfect either' or 'perfect just the way they are' and do my best not to judge them. One judgement I used to make about others was "they are not going to like me". I NEVER gave them the chance!
So if I am in line and say hello and someone chooses not to talk to me, THAT"S OK! It is THEIR CHOICE... It is NOT ABOUT ME! I don't know what is going on in THEIR LIFE right now! I have LET GO of the notion that it is "all about me" and that FREES me from a LOT of my anxiety. Don't get me wrong... it is STILL there. I just choose to take control of the chatter in my mind. MOST of the time I win! Sometimes the anxiety stills wins a fight or two, but over all, I think I am ahead in the war!
If you HONESTLY can not afford to spend the money on a treadmill, if there is NO church/community group that offers some sort of exercise group that you would be willing to join, then GO OUTSIDE! The road is FREE! Start by walking 10 minutes. It does not have to be a fast pace! Do it for yourself. Walk everyday. Add 5 minutes a day until you are up to an hour. If you feel up to it, Jog for 10 seconds every once in a while. If not, dont. But you will be SURPRISED at how much better you feel.
And the next time you are buying groceries, take a deep breath, then ask the person in line in front of you, or behind you, "Excuse me, but do you have the time?" Then SMILE! You might be scared out of your mind, but keep in mind, what ever happens, if they are kind or mean, it's not about the time of day, it is just about going outside of your comfort zone in a safe way for a BRIEF moment! Even if they are rude, you can still say "Thank you anyway" because if they are, it's not about you!
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I think that Social anxiety is something that many homemakers/caregivers can easily develop. Being at home with small children is very confining. caring for others can easily make you not think of yourself. When I was a younger Mom, there have been periods when I felt like that myself. My advice (what usually worked for me), is to find some type of activity outside the home for yourself. Take a class, join a club or make a regular date night with a friend or friends. Just something where you get a chance to be a "grownup" a bit. It does wonders . If things like that dont help , you may want to talk to your doctor for further help.
Best of luck.
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