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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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
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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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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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If you are coming to NJ, you definitely need to see our shore! It's not all like what's portrayed on that MTV show! While it will be chilly during the winter months, there is still plenty to see! Cape May is our southernmost beach town, it has beautiful victorian style homes that are decorated for the holidays which you can tour. You can take the ferry from Lewes, DE to get there, that is a fun trip too!
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 don't want to rain on your parade, but have you seriously looked at weather patterns for the time of year you're planning to take this trip? If you really want to go cross country, you're looking at a really long drive during less than ideal conditions. Out here in the upper Midwest, and in the mountains, it's not unusual to close down the highways because of blowing snow. If you go south, ice can be a real concern. You may want to budget some extra travel days for weather delays.
For GA- something that seems to be pretty popular and we enjoy is the world of coke. The CNN center has a really cool tour also.... If you happen to be a Gone With the Wind fan- there is a museum plus you can tour the author's actual house.... For a more scenic tour- there is Amicalola Falls or you could go to Dahlonega for a more historic route and even go gold panning.....
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Oh and BTW- I plan to keep an eye on this thread as I am also planning to do a cross country trip covering the lower 48.... but I've decided I can't do it in one go... Next summer I plan to drive to the Grand Canyon and back (taking a different route each way to cover as many states as possible) I'm planning for the trip to take a minimum of 3 weeks so that I can spend some real time in each state.... After that I'll work on the rest of the bazillion states....
For GA - definitely can't miss Savannah, GA's oldest city and one of the oldest in the US. (Founded 1733) It's also one of the few southern cities that wasn't burned by Sherman's March during the Civil War, so we have beautiful old houses dating back as old as the city. We're also often considered the "most haunted" city in the US - so if that's something that interests you, we have some great ghost tours. River St. is beautiful, and a huge tourist draw, but personally I prefer just to walk among the squares - we have 21, and each is different from the others. They are quite garden-like, but if you are here before March, nothing will be blooming yet so you won't have to worry about the smell. There are also many historical monuments in them. And of course there's the food......If you like Paula Deen, her restaurants are here and some of the best places to get Southern food, but we do all kinds of food well here and if you think you're going to come here I'd be happy to give you a (HUGE) list. Savannah really is one of the most beautiful places in the country - so pretty that after one trip here, DH and I moved here!
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MNSSHP 2015: DH (Bane), Me (Batgirl), Genie, and our friends
For GA - definitely can't miss Savannah, .... And of course there's the food......If you like Paula Deen, her restaurants are here and some of the best places to get Southern food, ...
We LOVED Savannah! Though I'd say skip Paula Deen's places and eat at Mrs. Wilkes
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.
We LOVED Savannah! Though I'd say skip Paula Deen's places and eat at Mrs. Wilkes
Oooooh, that's a battle us locals have on almost a daily basis. I personally fall on the Paula Deen side, but there is a healthy faction representing Ms. Wilkes as well. For me - they are both delicious - but it comes down to two things: chicken and atmosphere. I much prefer the atmosphere at Lady and Sons (or Uncle Bubba's - Paula's other restaurant which is out toward Tybee) over Ms. Wilkes (it's a little too crowded for me); and - don't tell anyone - but I am not a huge fan of fried chicken. Actually I do love it, but my digestive system doesn't love it so much, so I just say no. Ms. Wilkes only has fried chicken. Lady and Sons however has fried chicken, but also has THE BEST baked chicken I've ever had anywhere in my life. There is also a bigger variety at L&S's, so we tend to take friends there who are visiting so there will be something for everyone. I wouldn't tell someone not to go to either place though!
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MNSSHP 2015: DH (Bane), Me (Batgirl), Genie, and our friends
Oooooh, that's a battle us locals have on almost a daily basis. I personally fall on the Paula Deen side, but there is a healthy faction representing Ms. Wilkes as well. For me - they are both delicious - but it comes down to two things: chicken and atmosphere. I much prefer the atmosphere at Lady and Sons (or Uncle Bubba's - Paula's other restaurant which is out toward Tybee) over Ms. Wilkes (it's a little too crowded for me); and - don't tell anyone - but I am not a huge fan of fried chicken. Actually I do love it, but my digestive system doesn't love it so much, so I just say no. Ms. Wilkes only has fried chicken. Lady and Sons however has fried chicken, but also has THE BEST baked chicken I've ever had anywhere in my life. There is also a bigger variety at L&S's, so we tend to take friends there who are visiting so there will be something for everyone. I wouldn't tell someone not to go to either place though!
all valid points! DD said Mrs. Wilkes has better fried chicken. Paula D's tomato pie is to die for, though.
I suggest the OP put Savannah on the itinerary and decide for herself. Definately a better place to visit in the winter than the Midwest.
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Carolyn
Last edited by Carousel96; 05-16-2011 at 07:59 PM..
Since you already know too much about Maryland and DC, I would suggest if you are heading out west you might consider Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, and Bryce Canyon. Each is unforgettable!
Thanks for the information everyone. Keep it coming I am keeping notes!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carousel96
I don't want to rain on your parade, but have you seriously looked at weather patterns for the time of year you're planning to take this trip? If you really want to go cross country, you're looking at a really long drive during less than ideal conditions. Out here in the upper Midwest, and in the mountains, it's not unusual to close down the highways because of blowing snow. If you go south, ice can be a real concern. You may want to budget some extra travel days for weather delays.
I have 4 months to do the trip...I may break it into two parts. North-midwest in Nov. then come home for Christmas and then the south/southwest in Jan and Feb. I have all the time in the world!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by B.M.
Oh and BTW- I plan to keep an eye on this thread as I am also planning to do a cross country trip covering the lower 48.... but I've decided I can't do it in one go... Next summer I plan to drive to the Grand Canyon and back (taking a different route each way to cover as many states as possible) I'm planning for the trip to take a minimum of 3 weeks so that I can spend some real time in each state.... After that I'll work on the rest of the bazillion states....
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Originally Posted by kimberlym322
Do you know anything about up around Niagra Falls???
I don't know too much about historical places around Niagara Falls, but the Falls themselves are breathtaking and there are a few tours you can take, either on the river, the Maid of the Mist or behind the falls tour.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kimberlym322
I have 4 months to do the trip...I may break it into two parts. North-midwest in Nov. then come home for Christmas and then the south/southwest in Jan and Feb. I have all the time in the world!!!
There were several things I was going to recommend here in Upstate NY, but in November most if not all will already be closed for the season. The battlefields of Saratoga are a great historical site, as is Fort William Henry in Lake George. If you've seen the movie or read the book Last of the Mohicans, then you'll know where I'm talking about. Fort William Henry Museum - Lake George There are also winery's in central NY, but not sure about their seasonal openings. I believe most, if not all are open year round. There is also West Point, which is about an hour or so outside the city United States Military Academy, West Point, New York 10996
I don't know too much about historical places around Niagara Falls, but the Falls themselves are breathtaking and there are a few tours you can take, either on the river, the Maid of the Mist or behind the falls tour. your travel plans!!!
We went to Niagara Falls a couple of years ago and stayed on the Canadian side -- just fantastic! I should have a link to TR in my signature block. We went to the American side of the falls, also and visited Fort Niagara -- we love that kind of thing -- top notch -- as good as Ft. McHenry. I would have liked to take our budding engineer to see the power projects, but oh well, we did pay tribute to Tesla at his monuments, at least. We rode a 'Maid of the Mist' from the Canadian side -- a must-do!
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Savannah really is one of the most beautiful places in the country - so pretty that after one trip here, DH and I moved here!
Kimberly
your travel plans!!!
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