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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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Hmmm, that's a tough one. I think I would definitely make some Fastpasses somewhere and if it works out weather wise that day you could go to the water park instead. I am glad you get to try Ohana. It makes it so convenient with it being right there. We just dropped it from our plans. We had to cut something out since we had to drop a day.
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Ohana breakfast is laid back & tons of fun. Sometimes depending on what you & the kids are looking to do it may take a longer time (specifically the parade of kids dancing about - can't remember how often that occurs). The food is served family style at the table so that to me is sometimes faster & easier bc there's no wasted time going up to the buffet, etc. Just remember to ask for seconds before you run out...anticipate what you may need extras of & ask for that as soon as possible bc it will take less time then. I really think you will enjoy this meal. We always do. Lots of character time.
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All caught up!! . Great plans so far and I hope the boys are better soon! We love 'Ohana for breakfast!! Out of your options, I would choose the first one with the WP as a back up!! We are right behind you on online registration and FPs!!!!!!!!!!!! (sorry. I guess you can tell I am getting a little excited!!)
Will it be possible to wait to see what the weather is like on that day before deciding for sure? I think that's what I'd do. If it's a nice day, go for the water parks because you never know if your next free day will be good or not. If it's rainy, choose whichever park you think you'll have more fun at in the rain. AK is actually pretty nice in the rain. The animals are active on the safari and you're pretty-much covered up, and you can spend time at Rafiki's inside to see all the exhibits, meet some animals on the indoor stage and maybe have the boys work on the Wildlife Explorer badges. You can check the forecast the night before and set up FP then if it looks like rain.
That does sound like a good plan....
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Originally Posted by taylan1
No problem!
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Originally Posted by dutchdisneyfamily
Hmmm, that's a tough one. I think I would definitely make some Fastpasses somewhere and if it works out weather wise that day you could go to the water park instead. I am glad you get to try Ohana. It makes it so convenient with it being right there. We just dropped it from our plans. We had to cut something out since we had to drop a day.
Isn't it sad when something gets dropped? I'm reconsidering 1900 Park Fair simply because 2 ADR's in one day might really be tough. Plus, Brian pointed out we don't have any DtD (or Disney Springs....or Lake Buena Vista Place - whatever it's currently called) visits planned....and he mentioned The Lego Store
Quote:
Originally Posted by cattailmarsh
Ohana breakfast is laid back & tons of fun. Sometimes depending on what you & the kids are looking to do it may take a longer time (specifically the parade of kids dancing about - can't remember how often that occurs). The food is served family style at the table so that to me is sometimes faster & easier bc there's no wasted time going up to the buffet, etc. Just remember to ask for seconds before you run out...anticipate what you may need extras of & ask for that as soon as possible bc it will take less time then. I really think you will enjoy this meal. We always do. Lots of character time.
My family isn't big on breakfast - or so I thought until our last trip. I didn't schedule one single breakfast and they've not let me live down the lack of Mickey Waffles
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Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great plans! I'd probably head to the water parks!
I'm leaning toward the water parks because it might lesson the stink of moving from a resort with a cool water slide to one without, but I think we've decided to save it for later in the week when the kids will be "bored" with the tamer pools at AoA.
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Originally Posted by Tara O'Hara
All caught up!! . Great plans so far and I hope the boys are better soon! We love 'Ohana for breakfast!! Out of your options, I would choose the first one with the WP as a back up!! We are right behind you on online registration and FPs!!!!!!!!!!!! (sorry. I guess you can tell I am getting a little excited!!)
Tara - we're getting soooo close now!!!!!
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The Fun, Old-Fashioned Family Vacation, 3.0 http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...ml#post4472933
Ch-Ch-Changes July 2015
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What.a.week. Thankfully we didn't have any crazy car issues - just our typical crazy/busy spring schedule. Twice we had to switch vehicles afterwork because my husband needed the van to get athletes to track meets. For whatever reason this year, they can't get buses before 4:00 pm which isn't helpful when meets begin at 3:30.
I've done pretty good sticking with my healthy eating challenge. Since April 1st, I've lost 15 pounds and 10 inches. Next week is my "exercise" break, and I'm honestly looking forward to it because it's craziness with two Dayton Dragon's games, the usual track stuff, a pre-K graduation and a 1st grade program.
The oldest celebrates a very special birthday on Sunday....hard to believe he's going to be leaving the single digits behind. Seriously, how did he get to be 10 already He's decided on a pool party, so we have to wait for the pool to be opened, and then we need to wait until AFTER the Strawberry Festival (no parking anywhere in the city that weekend). His party is going to be June 10th - the day after I finish school for the year.
Monday, Nolan will be singing the National Anthem with his school Choir at the Dayton Dragon's game (I'll try not to bore or inundate you with pictures....unless you're on Facebook ). We are going to Thursday's game as well because he was nominated an MVP for the 4th grade. My parents are coming down for the game, and staying through Cullen's graduation and Patrick's program on Friday. This is a really nice surprise because it's the first year in 10 I won't make it to Cleveland for the Memorial Day picnic my family has We have too much going on between soccer, track, football and birthday parties to fit in travel up north.
Back to Disney:
In a recent development, a friend from high school will be in Disney at the same time (staying at the Grand Floridian). She has two boys the ages of my youngest and we've decided to meet on the 20th at DHS....so that answered my "what do I do with this day" question.
Right now, we're planning on trying to coordinate meeting up at 1:30, which should give us PLENTY of time to have breakfast and then check in at AoA. We're looking at meeting at the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground. She's going to take my youngest to Disney Playhouse, while I take her oldest to ride Star Tours with my gang.
When we are making FP+, we're going to be texting back and forth to try to coordinate similar time frames, to the best of our abilities.
So, our "must do's" for DHS (or whatever it's going to be renamed )
1. Toy Story (all, preferably twice but with a late start, we'll settle for once)
2. Star Tours (all but Cullen)
3. Frozen sing a long (with Jill and her family)
4. The Little Mermaid
5. Indiana Jones
There are a few things I'd like (Tower of Terror), and Brian and Jill's husband (Rock N Rollercoaster) but we'll have to see what things are like. Right now, the Crowd Calendars are showing this as the first day of a "9" that we'll hit. Not sure why since the park doesn't have EMH (that I've noted) on this particular day.
Up next:
Repeats and Water Fun
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Ch-Ch-Changes July 2015
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You really do have a crazy life, Melissa!! Congrats on the weight loss!! That is an awesome accomplishment!! . How fun that your friend will be there also!! We are also planning on HS that day, but not until later on. We have dinner scheduled at our resort early and then are going for EMH. Your plans sound awesome!!
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Last edited by Tara O'Hara; 05-15-2015 at 11:30 PM..
And I thought I was busy. And good for you on keeping eating healthy and losing weight!
Plans sound great! I love O'hana for breakfast. My in-laws loved BoG breakfast. They said the portions were good sized too.
Wow...congrats on the weight loss. That is a great accomplishment especially with everything else you have going on. Not sure how you do it - I lose my mind with chasing after one toddler let alone when his half brothers are here - then I lose the house too. LOL
I told Brian I was setting the alarm for 11:45 so I can be up and ready He's agreed to provide "moral support" by napping in the recliner
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Originally Posted by Tara O'Hara
You really do have a crazy life, Melissa!! Congrats on the weight loss!! That is an awesome accomplishment!! . How fun that your friend will be there also!! We are also planning on HS that day, but not until later on. We have dinner scheduled at our resort early and then are going for EMH. Your plans sound awesome!!
Thank you! I still have a lot to go, but I'm actually starting to see a difference - especially in the way my clothes fit
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Originally Posted by OhToodles!
And I thought I was busy. And good for you on keeping eating healthy and losing weight!
Plans sound great! I love O'hana for breakfast. My in-laws loved BoG breakfast. They said the portions were good sized too.
So glad to hear they liked breakfast! I was going to message you and ask.
Fortunately, the hectic speed slows down on the 29th. The boys finish their school year on the 28th and the older two are heading to my in-laws for an overnight because I'm still working and Brian has a teacher in-service. The following week, he gets to play "stay home Dad" and cart the older boys back and forth to day camp, and the youngest to Safety T Town.
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Originally Posted by chezp
Congrats on the weight loss - what a great achievement!
Thank you! It's a work in progress
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Originally Posted by cattailmarsh
Wow...congrats on the weight loss. That is a great accomplishment especially with everything else you have going on. Not sure how you do it - I lose my mind with chasing after one toddler let alone when his half brothers are here - then I lose the house too. LOL
It helps that my boys are older I couldn't do this when they were in the toddler stage. With out hectic schedule, it's also easier to pre-cook, and pre plan our meals so I'm not tempted to "cheat" and run through the drive through. Plus, the ONLY place they can have a safe meal is our local McDonald's and that gets old really quick.
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The Fun, Old-Fashioned Family Vacation, 3.0 http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...ml#post4472933
Ch-Ch-Changes July 2015
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Congrats on the weight loss! Keep it goin'!
10 already!! When did our babies grow up? All my kids are in double digits now meaning, they are all Disney "adults".
You are doing great girl!! I am glad you get to meet up with a friend on that day. Plans are looking great!
Thanks! And thanks for letting me vent about my way too crazy life. You keep me grounded in reality - not an easy task
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Originally Posted by MayraLR
Congrats on the weight loss! Keep it goin'!
10 already!! When did our babies grow up? All my kids are in double digits now meaning, they are all Disney "adults".
Thank you! I know - it's soooo not fair how fast this all goes. Have you been able to watch any of the NBA playoffs? Nolan was GLUED and now wants to be an NBA star when he grows up.
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The Fun, Old-Fashioned Family Vacation, 3.0 http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...ml#post4472933
Ch-Ch-Changes July 2015
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