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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.
To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.
If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.
Thanks guys! He's doing loads better. Running all over the place giggling like crazy. He's even giving extra hugs lately. He's also decided that sleep is optional.So he's doing better and I need more
Well this weekend we had my in-laws over to celebrate Christmas. A little late, but it was the best we could do with all our schedules and other gatherings. Cameron scored quite a few items that will make good plane toys. I think my MIL is a little scared he might throw some sort of tantrum on the plane. Since they were all there I got them to sit down and talk about the GG order. I've got a list of what to order I just need to actually place the order. I think we're going to have too much, but MIL is insisting on getting all kinds of stuff. So I guess I'll order it and she can pay me back for her portion and decide what to do with the leftovers. I know I won't have room after all my purchases.
Then since DH has this weekend off we have decided that we are going to make a trip to the Mall of America to do some shopping for our trip on Saturday. Plus we want to see if DS will nap in his stroller. So between now and this weekend I need to finalize my shopping list. I know I need a new travel make-up mirror and some luggage as DS climbed into mine and broke the side.
Right before bath time tonight I decided that I should get out some of Cam's summer clothes to see if they still fit. Here in MN we haven't worn that stuff since October so I wasn't sure if he would still be able to wear them or not. I know it might not be really warm in Orlando in January, but I want to make sure I have some shorts and short sleeves available in case it is. Well I learned that Cameron does NOT like trying on clothes. I was able to try on his swim trunks, a shirt and 2 pairs of shorts. I guess I'll just have to hold up the other stuff I was considering bringing and hope for the best. I think when we're at the mall that I'll just pick up a few new things for him that I know will fit.
Then after bath I went out to get the mail. We got our trip documents today! I came inside and showed Cameron the envelope. He ran across the room yelling "Mickey, Mickey, MICKEY!" and squealing and giggling. Then I opened it and he saw Minnie. And then Goofy on the luggage tag. He was on cloud 9. It was so funny. He reacted how I wanted to, but I'm a responsible adult and decided it wouldn't be right to squeal and dance around over a simple packet of paper. Oh who am I kidding. I did a little happy dance all the way from the mail box to my house. And then I composed myself so DH would think I wasn't crazy.
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
I will say that we ordered from GG on our trip and we had SO MUCH food leftover. I would recommend ordering only the stuff you know you'll eat (well, for your part, anyway.....nothing you can do about MIL!). I made the mistake of trying to make sure everyone had options for breakfast and options for snacks and we had tons of food that we had to leave behind.
Good luck with the shopping--I can tell you it's been very cold in the entire Southern region of the USA the past few weeks. Definitely plan on layers. I've been in WDW in December and it's been in the 40s in the morning and the 70s in the afternoons and back down for fireworks and evening activities. I love the dollar store stretch gloves because they fit into a tiny pocket and make such a difference at night.
I've found the toddlers definitely do not like trying clothes on if that means taking them away from playtime. Speaking of the Mall of America, I saw on the news last week that there was a huge fight and they had to call in the swat team?!?!?
Yay! Disney Mail!! Love that Cameron got so excited - and that you hid yours outside.
I do the whole try one thing on and hold everything else up against it.
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
I will say that we ordered from GG on our trip and we had SO MUCH food leftover. I would recommend ordering only the stuff you know you'll eat (well, for your part, anyway.....nothing you can do about MIL!). I made the mistake of trying to make sure everyone had options for breakfast and options for snacks and we had tons of food that we had to leave behind.
I'm going to have to talk to my MIL about the GG order. I want to have some stuff as eating everything at Disney is so expensive, but my main reason for the order is for diapers. If we only get a few snacks/breakfast items that will be fine with me. I can have a Dole Whip for breakfast if need be. I know MIL won't want to leave any leftovers behind so it will turn into a "Can I stuff this extra stuff in your suitcase" at the end of the trip. I want to avoid it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilovedisney247
Good luck with the shopping--I can tell you it's been very cold in the entire Southern region of the USA the past few weeks. Definitely plan on layers. I've been in WDW in December and it's been in the 40s in the morning and the 70s in the afternoons and back down for fireworks and evening activities. I love the dollar store stretch gloves because they fit into a tiny pocket and make such a difference at night.
We'll definitely bring and wear layers. I'm not expecting the weather to be super warm. I've actually been wondering if we'll even be able to go swimming. But on the off chance that it will be warm I want to make sure DS at least has t-shirts that fit him.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Congrats on the Disney mail!
Thanks. It was quite exciting to find that in the mail box.
Quote:
Originally Posted by honeybee723
I've found the toddlers definitely do not like trying clothes on if that means taking them away from playtime. Speaking of the Mall of America, I saw on the news last week that there was a huge fight and they had to call in the swat team?!?!?
Yeah getting toddlers to try on clothes is a chore. Not enjoyable at all. There was a huge riot at the MOA recently. My DH has a friend that owns a restaurant there and they closed early because of it. I guess there were things going on right outside of his place. They've had a few riots and such over the years there. But I've been going a lot since it opened in 1992 and I've never had problems. Well except for remembering where I parked my car. They talk about loosing your car in a mall parking lot, but man is the MOA a lot harder than any normal mall.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Have fun shopping at the mall of America! Congrats on the Disney mail!
Thanks! I'm sure we'll have fun. Who doesn't have fun shopping??
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles!
Yay! Disney Mail!! Love that Cameron got so excited - and that you hid yours outside.
I do the whole try one thing on and hold everything else up against it.
He was really cute about the Disney Mail. And well I'm just hoping that the neighbors weren't looking at me funny! Also good to hear that I'm not the only one who just compares the clothes instead of fighting to put something on a squirmy little guy.
Over the weekend I was doing a forwards/backwards dance as far as preparing for the trip goes. I did manage to check quite a few things off my list, but I also managed to create a few things to add and had a pre-trip meltdown after we got home from the Mall of America. We hit three weeks to the trip on Saturday, but I prefer to say two weeks so I'm going to state that we are two weeks and 5 days from the trip. Yes that sounds much better than including "three"...
Friday night DH and I sat down and went over our packing list to determine what we still needed to purchase for our trip. Turns out DS only has 3 t-shirts that still fit him. Considering he pulls off all bibs and insists on eating with a fork even though he misses his mouth half the time 3 t-shirts will not be enough! DS also needs new shoes and possibly sandals as his current shoes have an elastic lace that is no longer elastic and his sandals do not fit. I needed a travel makeup mirror, some more make-up (not specifically for the trip, but I needed it just the same), a small wallet and a belt. And we wanted to get another large piece of luggage as we only have 1 large piece of luggage and a carry-on size. Plus there were several toiletry items that we still needed, but the Mall of America was not the place to get that stuff.
We headed out to the mall right before lunch as our plan was to eat and then walk around and see if DS would actually sleep in the stroller in a noisy environment. Over the summer he would nap in the stroller, but we were never in a noisy location and that was months ago and well little kids change like every other day. So I wanted to see if naps in the stroller were even an option in the parks. Well DS was out in 20 min after lunch! Success! 15 min after he fell asleep we decided to take the elevator down to the second floor as that is where all the little people stores were. So we got in an elevator with a family with two little ones in a stroller. DS remained sleeping. Until.... The elevator stopped on the second floor and the little girl from the stroller next to us screamed in delight. DS was awake. We tried picking up the pace and getting outta there to get DS back to sleep, but no such luck. He had slept for 15 min. There were still things we needed to buy as we hadn't really done any shopping so we continued on hoping we wouldn't later regret that decision.
We shopped and shopped and shopped and shopped. There were some really good sales going on at the mall. Only problem was that there were no t-shirts on sale. And I just can't bring myself to spend regular price on t-shirts for DS as he out grows them so quickly. DH did find one t-shirt for DS at Carters that he loved so we bought that even though I thought it was kind of overpriced. DS found a Mickey shirt at Old Navy that was in his size that he would just not let go of. I almost bought it for him, but it was long sleeved and we were looking for t-shirts. The boy has more long sleeve shirts than he needs right now. I suppose if I was a good mommy I would have bought it for him in a size for next winter, but I guess I'm just not that good of a mommy. Besides it will be long forgotten by then.
We managed to find DS some shoes that worked and then it started to look like he was getting sleepy again. We decided to just walk around to try and lull him to sleep again. He was getting drowsy and then we hit the Crocs store. I had wanted to look into getting DS a pair of Crocs instead of sandals so I decided to go in. BIG MISTAKE! I should have waited so that DS could get to sleep. But instead I took him in there and tried shoes on him. That woke him right up. Plus he didn't fit in the 4/5 size and the 6/7 size was too big and he tripped over them. So we didn't even get any!!
By this point I had kind of given up on shopping. DS was tired and getting cranky and I was cranky because we hadn't made a whole lot of progress on our shopping list. We had 1 t-shirt for DS and a pair of shoes for him. I told DH we should go and that I wasn't looking forward to our trip anymore. Wait... I said my meltdown was after we got home. OK I guess I had two meltdowns. DH remained level headed and said maybe we should take DS on some rides for a bit. Well when DS heard the word "ride" he got all happy. So we went to Nickelodeon Universe and bought some tickets. DS rode the Carousel and a Bus ride that is kind of like a swinging ship minus the upside-down part. Then he saw some cars. And pointed at them and basically begged to go on. They were a kiddie ride, but they whipped around a corner pretty fast so I didn't think he should go on. DH disagreed and won the argument so DH took DS on the ride. Well DS LOVED IT! I think I might have a thrill ride junkie on my hands...
After rides we ate at the Rain Forrest Cafe, which DS loved. He wasn't even terrified of their mascot that was walking around. He wouldn't give a high five, but he wasn't crying either. Gives me a little hope for Mickey and pals. By the time we finished dinner it was almost DS bedtime and I had come to accept the fact that we didn't purchase what we needed for the trip and figured I would go shopping during my lunch break at work over the next few weeks. And then we happened to walk past a luggage store on our way back to the car. I popped in while DH kept a crabby toddler entertained by running around outside the tiny store. I asked the guy to point me to the largest luggage that would be under 62 linear inches (maximum allowed by Delta without a oversize fee). So he did and I fell in love with a TravelPro bag. DH cam back in and we were discussing the luggage. It was a bit more than I had intended on spending, but it was so nice and swiveled perfectly. Since DS was cranky and throwing a fit we just bought it even though it was a tish pricey. And then we left the mall.
On the way home DH and I talked about what we had bought. I got my makeup, some shirts on sale at Express, a t-shirt for DS, shoes for DS, luggage and DH got some clothes on sale. So not a whole lot of what we needed, but a good start. I had completely forgotten to look for a belt or a small wallet. And the travel make-up mirrors were either not what I wanted or more than I wanted to spend. So it wasn't a complete waste, but not as productive as I had hoped considering DH only has 1 more weekend off before the trip.
Once we got home and got DS to sleep we unloaded the car. I noticed that the new suitcase looked quite a bit larger than our current one. I remember being concerned the last time we flew that our current suitcase was going to be too big. So we got out the tape measure and found that yes the new suitcase was too big! The guy at the store told me that it was the maximum allowed by the airlines. I specifically asked about 62 inches. He said "Yep this will be fine. It will even work with it's extender fully extended." Looking into it some more I found the dimensions listed on the suitcase were internal dimensions. And yes those dimensions will be fine, but external dimensions are too large. At this I started to cry. I don't know why. I was just so frustrated and upset that I would now have to bring the suitcase back to the mall that is on the other side of the city. So DH was once again calm and reasonable and said we should look into it a bit more. But he made the mistake of telling me we should wait until morning. Well that didn't go over well with me and I started yelling at him (I'm not proud of it people) saying I didn't want to wait as I wouldn't be able to sleep if I didn't do it right then. And then I told him I was angry that he wasn't doing as much to prepare for this trip. And that I was stressed with work and the fact that DS can't be away from me for more than 2.5 seconds if I'm home (I love the kid, but I want to pee alone). So DH googled the suitcase. I was secretly hoping that he would find that Delta went by the internal measurements, but we couldn't find confirmation either way as to what dimensions Delta used. So I assumed external. Then DH found the TravelPro website and on the company's website it stated that the bag will be considered over-sized on MOST airlines.
So we definitely have to return the luggage. Stupid luggage salesmen who didn't give me correct information. Just another thing to add to the list. On the plus side DH and I got over our fight and our both looking forward to the trip. I blame my meltdowns on a toddler who isn't sleeping well. Hence I'm not sleeping well. Plus working ALL THE TIME. We also purchased some stuff we need. And I got the Photopass CD pre-ordered and the Garden Grocer order taken care of. So it is moving right along. I really really need this trip. Just to get away. Sorry for the ramblings and if this PTR has become a complain fest. Not what I had intended when I started writing it.
We all have our moments where even the smallest things lead to a mental melt down. I've been there, many times, but we're human, and you have a lot on your plate right now. Just keep that go with the flow mentality for when you actually get to The World, and you'll be fine.
I think we've all been there! You want so badly just to get the vacation so you can relax and enjoy, but there's a million things standing in your way + work stress + lack of sleep! Don't worry -- it will be here soon!
I would be ticked off about the luggage too. When you return it, I would specifically point out that you asked about 62 linear inches and that the salesman (call him by name if you know it) gave you information that is just flat out wrong and now you've been inconvenienced by having to drive all the way back, taking more time from your busy schedule, because of their mistake.
And that I was stressed with work and the fact that DS can't be away from me for more than 2.5 seconds if I'm home (I love the kid, but I want to pee alone).
I LOL at this! This is exactly my house! And sometimes I get the other kid, the dog or my DH and sometimes all of them!!
You've been reading my TR right and my meltdown? So yes, we've all been there. It's just how we deal and you have to get it out.
Your trip will be here soon and then you can relax!
About This Page: 
for Cam to feel better ASAP!
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
I was able to try on his swim trunks, a shirt and 2 pairs of shorts. I guess I'll just have to hold up the other stuff I was considering bringing and hope for the best. I think when we're at the mall that I'll just pick up a few new things for him that I know will fit.
Speaking of the Mall of America, I saw on the news last week that there was a huge fight and they had to call in the swat team?!?!?
Love that Cameron got so excited - and that you hid yours outside. 
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
Plus he didn't fit in the 4/5 size and the 6/7 size was too big and he tripped over them. So we didn't even get any!!
I don't know why. I was just so frustrated and upset that I would now have to bring the suitcase back to the mall that is on the other side of the city. So DH was once again calm and reasonable and said we should look into it a bit more. But he made the mistake of telling me we should wait until morning. Well that didn't go over well with me and I started yelling at him (I'm not proud of it people) saying I didn't want to wait as I wouldn't be able to sleep if I didn't do it right then. And then I told him I was angry that he wasn't doing as much to prepare for this trip. And that I was stressed with work and the fact that DS can't be away from me for more than 2.5 seconds if I'm home (I love the kid, but I want to pee alone). So DH googled the suitcase. I was secretly hoping that he would find that Delta went by the internal measurements, but we couldn't find confirmation either way as to what dimensions Delta used. So I assumed external. Then DH found the TravelPro website and on the company's website it stated that the bag will be considered over-sized on MOST airlines. 
I think we've all been there! You want so badly just to get the vacation so you can relax and enjoy, but there's a million things standing in your way + work stress + lack of sleep! Don't worry -- it will be here soon!
Linear Mode
