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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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So my DD has a dance trip to DL next July (yep - day after Independence Day so crowds will be huge)! Anyhow we haven't been to Anaheim DL since 2002 and I'm sure lots has changed.
Besides the Cars land stuff which I've read lots about, what other things do I need to consider for our family (me, DH, DD age 15 and DS age 8.5)?
We have an itinerary from the dance tour group but no inside info regarding World of Colour, new places for ADRs, early morning entry (we have only ever stayed off site at DL), photopass plus or any other exciting stuff. Is there a special parade for July 4th? Fireworks for 4th July? I'm feeling overwhelmed right now as I start to look at the DL map...so little time to plan!
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Lol... As much as u might feel overwhelmed, you seem to know what u want to see. Do u know which hotel you'll be staying at? How long will u be there? Early morning will depend on a couple of things...if u are staying on property and what type of passes u buy.
WoC is not to be missed. I'm so glad we did the dinner and show option. There are different restaurants u can pick from. We went with Wine Counrty Trattoria. Service could have been better, but we showed up early for WoC and got rail standing. So, the people in the section below us were down a bit and for the most part could see over their heads. (Until kids go up on shoulders as everyone does.). The people behind us in our section were level with us, so there was jostling. Don't be afraid to stake ur claim. If I hadn't, we would have been pushed right on out.
Get fast passes for Radiator Springs Racers as I am sure they will be busy that weekend. Last time I was there, the FP line was not near the ride, but up by Carthay Circle Restaurant. So, look sharp.
Loved Goofy's Kitchen! Characters come to u as u eat buffet style. No lines for autographs! Bonus! Blue Bayou is fun because it is in the PotC ride. For counter service, I love Bengal BBQ in Adventureland. Also for quick service in DLR Hungry Bear Restaurant is good with plenty of seating and nice views. It's by Splash Mountain.
Goodness, I feel I could give much more info, but don't want u to feel more overwhelmed! Plus, I know others will have other fantastic suggestions.
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~Joby/Lil~Me stealing Capt. Jack Sparrow's treasure!
We are staying at HoJo with the dance group and then we have two nights (hopefully at GCV) after that then onto Vegas...We will have 10 day park hoppers. That's enough to cover the days away from the park too.
We definitely want to do a WoC package and eat at Blue Bayou too. We have a group booking for Goofy's Kitchen and I'm probably looking to add one more character meal also. What else do you recommend?
We are staying at HoJo with the dance group and then we have two nights (hopefully at GCV) after that then onto Vegas...We will have 10 day park hoppers. That's enough to cover the days away from the park too.
We definitely want to do a WoC package and eat at Blue Bayou too. We have a group booking for Goofy's Kitchen and I'm probably looking to add one more character meal also. What else do you recommend?
It's nice that you'll be able to visit Vegas as well. (That's where I live.)
As for another character meal...hmm...I am completely assuming here, but with a dance troupe, I'm think mainly if not all girls. So maybe something more princess themed? https://disneyland.disney.go.com/din...to-restaurant/ Now, I have dined at Ariel's Grotto many years ago. I remember it was nice enough to sit outside and the view was great as you are on the water. We saw lots of characters. As for the food...don't remember, so I can't advise on that.
To make it fun for the dance troupe (this is assuming-once more-that y'all are dining together) maybe put it to a vote. Give them two or three restaurants to pick from and let the majority rule. They would feel included in the planning and might have some fun with it as well.
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~Joby/Lil~Me stealing Capt. Jack Sparrow's treasure!
Ohhh we LOVE Vegas! This trip hoping to stay at Monte Carlo (trying to do every major hotel on the strip) for the water areas as it will be hot.
The dance group is a mix of boys/girls but mainly girls. Not really a princessy type group but wanting to see a lot of characters and since it will be a crowded time we thought we could use our mealtimes wisely to combine character greetings. Some of our meals are group meals like Goofy's Kitchen but we wanted to add our own to see maximum characters.
I have decided to get the Photopass+ but am hesitant to purchase now in case the voucher expires before I get to use it. I like to have everything prepaid so buying now would be good but I have experienced the prepayment for the old photopass and needing to call Disney to have them sort it out when my code was rejected after I made my photobook. Does anyone know how long the voucher is good for before it expires, if it does expire?
Besides these message boards and Touring Plans, is there anywhere I can find a list of attractions that will be down for refurb? My youngest DS has never been on the Matterhorn or Mr Toad and he is eager to ride. He has been watching You Tube videos!
I have not seen a list that goes into July for next year as of yet. As your trip gets nearer, you might try calling directly to see if they can give you a current list of attractions in refurbishment. Here is a list of Guest Service phone numbers: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/help/phone/
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Thanks Lilianna! Dance group is not joining us in Vegas (most are going to Hawaii but we've been previously and like Vegas much better-lol).
We have not yet booked a resort in Vegas - leaning towards Monte Carlo or Paris but really don't want to deal with a smoky casino/walk through areas...and we don't want to stay where we've already stayed previously...
We got ressies at Grand Californian Villas confirmed today - YAY! So we have a few nights there after HoJo with the group. I think I'm more excited about this than my DD dancing down MainSt-lol.
I was thinking to order my PhotoPass Plus now - anyone heard of any special discounts (not a CA resident, no military or AP)?
Got my new DL guidebook (sadly PP is not current enough for this trip) and my Touring Plans subscription renewed...what else am I missing?
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So maybe something more princess themed? 
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