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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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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.
Great start. Did you get any sleep on the plane or did everyone stay awake the whole time? My flight is only 2 1/2 hours and despite taking Sudafed (that actually keeps me up) I do doze during the flight.
You are making me "homesick"! AKLV is our DVC home resort, but have decided to stay at BWV this summer. Looking forward to reading about your 12 day stay! What a cute family. Question - Did you notice the noise from the busses from your room? At WL one year, our woods view included a view of the busstop. The evening busses were quite noticable.
No noise from the busses or cars at all. Very quiet in the rooms.
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Originally Posted by KMB733
WooHoo, you started!!! Glad the flights to Orlando were uneventful. I have to say I was a little grossed out that the boys at hot dogs at 6am The resort and your room are beautiful!! Can't wait to hear how long you were able to stay awake!!
Yeah, the 6 am hot dogs were weird. But then again, boy's will eat anything.
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Originally Posted by melduckie
Great start!
Thanks!
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Originally Posted by mojjo
So excited you started this!!! Can't wait to read all about it.
Thanks!
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Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great pictures! Glad you were able to get into your room so early!!
Yes, we were very lucky that it was ready so early.
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Originally Posted by 3dogknight
Great start , looking forward to more
Thanks for joining!
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Originally Posted by lauriep
What a great start! I love the pre-flight selfie. Great luck that the room was ready. How are you all still standing?
You'll see in my next update, I was barely standing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rhinohunter
Great start. That is a beautiful resort.
It is a beautiful resort! I was fascinated by the décor and all the animals.
Great start. Wow I can't believe how early your flight was. Great pictures of the resort. I loved staying at Kidani.
Yeah, I'm not a fan of early flights.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mousestruck
Great start! AKV is our home resort and we absolutely love it. In fact, your pics are making me homesick! (Good thing we'll be back next month!)
Your crew looks tired but excited. Can't wait to hear about your first adventures!
The boys have so much energy but I was fading fast.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JKnott17
Great start, Mayra! So glad that your flights went smoothly, how awesome that your room was ready for you so early. You all must have been exhausted, I don't even know how you were able to head out of there. I would have just collapsed on the bed! AKL looks awesome, great pics. Looking forward to more!
Hunger won over. Besides, I didn't let myself get too comfortable. If I did, I wouldn't have been able to get up.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
I think you all look really good for having flown overnight! I love all your pictures of the room and the lobbies at AKL Kidani and Jambo. That takes me right back home.
Thanks! I have so many pictures of the resort, especially of the animals.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DisneyKimber
Great start ! Glad to hear your red eye flight went well. Your room at Kadani looks amazing.
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nemo125
Glad I found this TR! What a great start - and love all your photos of AKL!!!
Thanks for joining!
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Originally Posted by Dlandmom2
Signing in so I don't miss anything! I need to catch up on your PTR and then will hop on over here to read about the actual trip! Great start so far!
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by CinderAbby
Great start. Did you get any sleep on the plane or did everyone stay awake the whole time? My flight is only 2 1/2 hours and despite taking Sudafed (that actually keeps me up) I do doze during the flight.
No sleep for me or for my oldest son. We just couldn't get comfortable enough to be able to doze off. I even had a neck pillow so I wouldn't get a stiff neck. Nothing worked. Next time I'll just medicate.
Great start Mayra! And I don't see how you were able to stay vertical after having decaf coffee instead of regular. Yuck!
Great pictures of the room, lobbies and the animals (2 & 4 legged...)
Great start Mayra! And I don't see how you were able to stay vertical after having decaf coffee instead of regular. Yuck!
Great pictures of the room, lobbies and the animals (2 & 4 legged...)
Thinking back now, I have no idea how I survived that day.
Quote:
Originally Posted by xwewhisper
Great start and great pics from around the resorts! I can't imagine a flight that early!
After experiencing that flight, I don't see taking a similar one in the future.
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Originally Posted by Irenaroo
Signing on! We stayed at Kidani last two visits and loved it. More please...
Arben got in touch with his friend, who lives in Orlando, and told him of our plans. He works close by and offered to take us over to DTD.
By now, we were starving. The kids wanted EoS but Arben wanted something more substantial. We decided to check if they would take us at T-Rex. They did and we were seated in about 10 minutes in the Meteor Shower room which made for a very loud meal. But we didn't mind.
We had an excellent server who gave us great service and got to practice her Spanish with us. Of course, I forgot to write down her name.
We placed our orders and settled down to enjoy our time. Arben called his sister to see what they were up to and invited them over to DTD.
Somebody is tired.
There's a blurry image of our server.
Soon our drinks and food arrived. Arben got a burger, Abniel and Adriel both got pizza, AJ got the pulled pork sandwich and I had a pasta dish.
AJ's sandwich
My pasta dish. I forgot to write down the name but I think it's a seasonal dish. It had lots of veggies and a delicious parmesan cheese sauce. I added chicken to it.
I accompanied it with a strawberry lemonade.
Abniel and Adriel both decided they wanted dessert, which I knew they weren't going to finish. I asked them to share one but Adriel refused.
Their dessert.
Of course, I was right and they both left about half of their dessert. AJ tried to finish them to no avail.
I packed up my leftovers, because who I am I kidding I would've never finished that never-ending plate of pasta. I think there was a hole in the bottom of the table where they kept putting pasta in the dish. As much as I ate the plate always looked full.
We rolled out of the restaurant and my sil & family were waiting for us. We headed towards the Marketplace. Our first stop was the Lego Store. Abniel, Adriel and their cousin went to play with the legos.
After 15 minutes, I grew tired of the store so we just abandoned them there. Just kidding. Arben and his bil stayed behind with them, while me, sil, AJ and my other nephew went on to explore. We went to WoD and browsed for a while without making any purchases. We went back to the Lego store to get the rest of the group. The boys had finished their construction.
AJ wanted to buy the latest Kingdom Keepers book so we headed to Once Upon a Toy. While there, the boys got the tube thingy filled with different flavored powder.
We wandered off and landed at Basin. After smelling everything in there, Arben and I decided to get 3 bath bombs to use in the big tub. After our purchases we decided to go back to the resort and relax for a bit. Arben's friend would be picking us up with his wife and daughters and taking us for a ride.
On the bus ride back to AKV, I almost fell asleep. I was so tired. We got to the room and I went to lay on the bed. Arben started getting ready and told the boys to do the same thing. Then it was my turn but I was having a hard time getting. I was beyond exhausted at this point. I considered not going anywhere but we had to get groceries and his friend was taking us. Reluctantly I got up and showered. Thankfully I didn't fall asleep in the shower and afterwards I felt a little better.
We finished getting ready and headed out. A short time later, our friends arrived. We took a drive around Downtown Orlando. Then we stopped at a park and walked around for a bit. Soon we were hungry so he took us to Buffalo Wild Wings on International Drive. Arben and I had wings which we shared. I think the boys each had wings with fries.
When we were done, we took a drive down International Drive. Then we went to Walmart for some groceries. We got back to the resort and put away the groceries. Then it was bedtime as tomorrow would be our first park day.
Thankfully, we survived this day. But man, was I tired. I can't believe I had gone more than 24 hours with no sleep. I have no idea how I didn't fall flat on my face.
Great so far I don't think I've ever read one of your TRs, but wow! I can totally relate to how tired you are in this post! Kidani is our home resort - I miss it so much Isn't it great that you can just stock your kitchen with groceries? I love the layout with two bathrooms, definitely a must for all your boys!
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The resort and your room are beautiful!! Can't wait to hear how long you were able to stay awake!!
I love all your pictures of the room and the lobbies at AKL Kidani and Jambo. That takes me right back home. 
Of course, I forgot to write down her name.
AJ tried to finish them to no avail. 
I don't think I've ever read one of your TRs, but wow! I can totally relate to how tired you are in this post! Kidani is our home resort - I miss it so much 
Isn't it great that you can just stock your kitchen with groceries? I love the layout with two bathrooms, definitely a must for all your boys!
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