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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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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.
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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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Hello! Welcome to my Pre Trip Report for my upcoming Brazil trip! I’ll start out with the 5 Ws (who, what, when, where, and why).
WHO: DH, Kyle (35) and me (34)
WHAT: A three week journey to the land of the Amazon (aka Brazil)
WHEN: June 11 – July 2, 2014
WHERE: The Brazilian cities of Manaus, Natal, Recife/Porto de Galinhas, and Brasilia
WHY: The 2014 WORLD CUP is there!
So those are the quick facts. For those of you who have followed along on my previous trip reports to Poland in 2012 or South Africa in 2010, you will already know what I’m going to tell you now, and what the impetus is for this trip: Kyle and I are HUUUUUUUUGE soccer fans. We love soccer and we love traveling to new places, so we often use various tournaments as an excuse to do just that. We’ve been planning on this trip to Brazil since we arrived home from South Africa’s World Cup in 2010. That, as of now, is the best trip we’ve ever gone on. If Brazil is even half as amazing and wonderful as that was, it’ll be worth every second.
Here’s a little more info on the WHO section:
My DH Kyle is 35 and works as an Army civilian at Ft.Stewart (yay govt jobs and lots of leave!). We’ve known each other since high school, been best friends since college, and got married right after we graduated college. He’s the sane to my crazy, but he still definitely knows how to have fun. He played soccer when he was a kid, and is (of course) a huge USMNT fan. (USMNT = US Men’s National Team) He’s had the travel bug since high school, when he spent several weeks in Venezuela. He’s been to Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. His favorite USMNT current player is Jozy Altidore.
Jozy Altidore
Then there’s me, Ashli. I’m 34 and work part time as a barista at a coffee shop in Savannah’s Victorian District. I really enjoy it, and it helps that my boss is also soccer crazy, so he understands the need for time off during things like the World Cup. Last year I actually became the president of American Outlaws’ (more on who exactly that is in a bit) Savannah chapter. It is something I love doing, and I am really excited for the publicity we’re going to get this summer. I love traveling as much as I love the USMNT. I’ve been to Europe, Asia, and Africa. This will be my first exploration into South America. My favorite current USMNT player is…who else…Captain America himself, Landon Donovan.
Me & Landon in Miami, Aug 2013
While we are traveling just as a couple, we have many, many meets set up with fellow American Outlaws from throughout the US. Members we’ve met at other US games, members we’ve thus far only met online, and a couple other members from Savannah’s chapter who have become very good friends.
My new tattoo, which features the AO logo (as well as Disney friend, Sam Eagle!). I may be a little obsessed.
The American Outlaws is the US Soccer Supporters Group. We basically follow the USMNT to any and all of their games and chant, sing, shout, and scream so they know that we believe in them. It is a privilege to be a chapter leader, as I really feel that the US has the best and most supportive fans in the world. (Maybe just slightly better than Japan…those Japan soccer fans are something else – SUPER fun!) If you want a better understanding of AO, I think ESPN’s new World Cup commercial (featuring who else? American Outlaws) does an outstanding job catching our vibe and dedication. I have watched it at least a hundred times and still get goosebumps and tear up Every. Single. Time.
I assumed you'd be headed to Brazil! Glad to live vicariously! We have to find a new viewing spot, as the bar we watched much of the South Africa games at has shut down.
Love the intro, Ashli! This is going to be fun. Thanks for taking us along with you. I've never been to South America, so this will be interesting. You paved the way for my South Africa trip. If I'm lucky, the same thing will happen here!
Now I have to ask you something about your job - what is a barista? We've got ads on the TV over here at the moment for "real barista coffee" and neither of us are coffee drinkers, so we're like "what?" so can you enlighten me?
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I assumed you'd be headed to Brazil! Glad to live vicariously! We have to find a new viewing spot, as the bar we watched much of the South Africa games at has shut down.
I hope you find a great place to watch! I am sure the AO DC bar is really a fun place, but I think it might be kinda far for you to travel to. Maybe you could make it for the US group match that is on a Sunday.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
Love the intro, Ashli! This is going to be fun. Thanks for taking us along with you. I've never been to South America, so this will be interesting. You paved the way for my South Africa trip. If I'm lucky, the same thing will happen here!
I hope so, Laurie!! I will be thrilled if Brazil is as much fun as South Africa.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Great start Ashli!
Now I have to ask you something about your job - what is a barista? We've got ads on the TV over here at the moment for "real barista coffee" and neither of us are coffee drinkers, so we're like "what?" so can you enlighten me?
Hi Cheryl! A barista is simply a fancy word for someone who makes coffee/espresso drinks. Some people are REALLY into it and consider themselves artists, the way some fine chefs do. I am not one of those. LOL
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MNSSHP 2015: DH (Bane), Me (Batgirl), Genie, and our friends
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Hi Cheryl! A barista is simply a fancy word for someone who makes coffee/espresso drinks. Some people are REALLY into it and consider themselves artists, the way some fine chefs do. I am not one of those. LOL
Oh thank you so much for the explanation - now the advert makes more sense to me!
I'm sorry to leave everyone hanging after my first post! I had meant to get our itinerary up yesterday and everything else I had to do yesterday seemed to take about twice as long as I had anticipated so I never got to it. I've got a full day/evening for the rest of today, but once I get off work tomorrow at 5:30, I am free till Monday so and update will be coming shortly!! Thanks for bearing with me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great start Ashli! Can't wait to hear all about the trip!
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey
Great start! I loved your previous two World Cup TRs, so I'm really looking forward to this one!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MayraLR
Great start Ashli!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Great start, Ashli! What a cool way to travel by seeing your favorite players in action!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lfredsbo
Great start Ashli! What an amazing opportunity!
Glad to have you all following along!
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MNSSHP 2015: DH (Bane), Me (Batgirl), Genie, and our friends
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