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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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Love the new car!! I'm driving my new car down to WDW in just under 6 weeks, but it's significantly smaller than yours, lol. I love that it's red and black! Perfect for a Disney fan!!
Can't wait to read more... but I know what you mean about that period of time when most planning is set, and it's too early to FULLY pack or do anything... so you're just sort of hanging out a bit...
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I definately need more sleep went to check updates here and had a thought Checked what you had said earlier Coop about add fuel costs Your add cost are about what I figure for our fuel costs in the Prius
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.
Your old TR is working! That's how I found you. I'm in the it's so soon to Disney time I'm in a panic mode!
Yeah - Cam PM'd me and let me know. I just put the link up to here in the old PTR so we could just do one. Glad you found me, Toodles! Don't panic though! It'll be ok!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Principessa_di_Fata
Love the new car!! I'm driving my new car down to WDW in just under 6 weeks, but it's significantly smaller than yours, lol. I love that it's red and black! Perfect for a Disney fan!!
Can't wait to read more... but I know what you mean about that period of time when most planning is set, and it's too early to FULLY pack or do anything... so you're just sort of hanging out a bit...
We named it Mickey! Just hanging out is right! Hope Meri feels better! Good luck to you - stay strong (and sane!)
Quote:
Originally Posted by jennie622
Mike, you're hysterical!
As for Disney Planning Wasteland, I forgot about the rocking back and forth. Guess that should start happening soon.
Yeah - that's already begun. and hyperventilating. Don't forget the hyperventilating.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeL
I definately need more sleep went to check updates here and had a thought Checked what you had said earlier Coop about add fuel costs Your add cost are about what I figure for our fuel costs in the Prius
I went by what we spent in the Mini and what my BFF spent in her Flex. I also checked AAA. They have a page for gas cost calculator. You put in start place, end place and what kind/make and year of car you're driving and it calcuates the cost for you.
Glad I found you here! I finally got into your old thread and found out you started a new one!
for staying healthy! My son has already had a few stuffy noses since he started school 3 weeks ago...thankfully nothing more serious than that so far. Gotta love cold and flu season once it gets into the school system!
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Glad I found the continuation of your PTR. I couldn't understand what was wrong with your other PTR when every time I posted it would freeze up! But glad to be back on track and reading updates again!
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.
So today we tested the room in the Jeep. I stuffed our new bags(perfect fit in the Mini) with a few pillows,and tossed them in the back of "Mickey". HAHA what a laugh. We have so much room we could take almost our whole wardrobe! I'm sure the neighbors think we're leaving to go somewhere now.Well anything to freak them out even more,I'm all for it. BTW in the last couple of weeks I have gotten more (a couple free!) Tshirts, but honestly,I feel a little underdressed at WDW in Tshirts.
SO the dilemma continues as to my clothing lists. I am also loosing some weight,so my clothes are getting a little big,some almost too big. As I write this i am trying to shrink some shorts,and a couple of 3X t's that I just can't toss.
As we count down,a lot of our co-workers think we're nuts for planning so early. this morning our discussion was now we only have 4 paydays till vacation. Hmmm the time sure did go fast. Time to really get serious about dieting,saving,and getting our work partners ready for the fact that we are now 62 days till we leave.Time for me,at least,to make sure my new co-workers are ready for anything.due to my broken ribs I was off for a week,and they did fantastic,so I know they'll be OK.
I think Coop's work misses her more.funny thing will be when they call for her to come in WHILE we are at WDW!!! It happened last time,I have no doubt it will happen again.
Glad I found you here! I finally got into your old thread and found out you started a new one!
for staying healthy! My son has already had a few stuffy noses since he started school 3 weeks ago...thankfully nothing more serious than that so far. Gotta love cold and flu season once it gets into the school system!
I know, right?! Glad you found us!
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
Glad I found the continuation of your PTR. I couldn't understand what was wrong with your other PTR when every time I posted it would freeze up! But glad to be back on track and reading updates again!
It froze because Chuck tried to post pictures. Everyone was frozen out from the last page. Glad you found our new PTR!
Yep - Chuck is losing weight. I'm trying. As of Sunday we have 2 months! I would like to be 20 lbs lighter. I'm starting a Zumba class on 9/22 and have been trying to eat better. The thing is we need to lose 10% of our body weight by next year or else our health insurance premiums will increase. I know - the get ya going and coming! It's a racket! I mean I quit smoking (decrease in insurance, better for my health) but then put on 60 lbs because of it! Now I have to take it off again! Arrrrgggghhh!!!
We discussed our finances today and realized we only have 4 more paydays til we leave! (one is the holiday - so bonus! Triple time and a half!) I've split our finances into 3.
1 - travel - this includes gas, hotel while on the road, and food while driving. Gas has increased as we are taking Mickey ($500 instead of $300 in the Mini), we stay in a Hilton Garden Inn. As you may recall, we had a bad experience with a cheaper hotel. Our food plan is Waffle House and Zaxby's and Starbucks so not too expensive.
2 - Tips/food extras - with it being the F&WF there may be some extras although I heard that you can use your snacks for some of the offerings there. Also, DH doesn't drink, but I may be inclined to sample a margarita in Mexico or a glass of Cab in France. (Anyone know where I can try this Conundrum?) I have budgeted about $1000 for all this as tips may run up there. Have you read our dining plans? We are on the DxDP and have many signature places!
3 - Souvenirs - I have budgeted about $50/day/per person. So $100/day for us both. But we also have certain things we need to get for people back home so I hope we can manage with this. We won't go overboard with souvies. But when we see something we want, we want to be able to get it and not have to think about finances. DH got a very nice watch and jacket last time. I would LOVE to look at D&B bags. We shall see.
Still in the wasteland. Tick, tick, tick . . .
As always -
“When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable.” - Walt Disney
Welcome to the club Chuck! We're all crazy here, crazy for Disney!
Wow! Saying 4 paychecks makes it seem so close huh? That happened to DH a few weeks ago, he was thinking we have plenty of time. I said to him, "You realize that we have 3 weekends for you to work before we go?" His response, "Omg, it isn't that far away is it? When you put it like that it's so short!" and that is when he agreed with me that we should cancel our weekend plans to go to CT. to visit friends. Irene would have had us canceling anyhow, but we didn't know that at the time!
You budgeting plan looks great! I hear you Coop about the souvie money. We don't go nuts on souvies either, and usually buy bigger things...as opposed to what I call throw away souvies. You know the small nothing things that are so cool there, you get home use them for...6 months, a year, and then it's time for it to bite the dust....yeah, we don't buy those. But at the same time, we like to be able to buy something if we want it. Within reason of course. I mean we aren't trying to buy the crystal castle in Germany for $37,500 are anything.
I too am looking for a more spring/summer pocketbook while I am there. I bought one last year, but it's very winter like. Big, black. Though, I don't think I would ever be able to buy D&B. It would take all my spending money. Can't wait to see if you get one though, and what one you choose. THere are some that I like, and others I have seen not as much.
Yay for your quitting smoking! I hadn't realized that you were a smoker. I am hoping to quit soon as well. Waiting for DH to want to do it. I have tried a few times, but it's extremely hard when you live with a smoker. Ugh.....
I also want to lose weight before next years trip in Dec. to meet my girls. I am hoping for about 50 lbs. off. I can do it, I have done it before. You can do it too Coop! I know you can! Weight Watchers uses the 10% body weight loss, as your first goal. So that is a great place to start!
62 days!! 62 days!!!! I got 10 days today! Update should be coming along later today!
As we count down,a lot of our co-workers think we're nuts for planning so early. this morning our discussion was now we only have 4 paydays till vacation. Hmmm the time sure did go fast. Time to really get serious about dieting,saving,and getting our work partners ready for the fact that we are now 62 days till we leave.Time for me,at least,to make sure my new co-workers are ready for anything.due to my broken ribs I was off for a week,and they did fantastic,so I know they'll be OK.
I think Coop's work misses her more.funny thing will be when they call for her to come in WHILE we are at WDW!!! It happened last time,I have no doubt it will happen again.
We are crazy! I will leave a note for them not to call. But they won't follow it. They call anyway. They called when I was down there with my BFF and they called last time. They called and used up my entire answering machine when I went to Australia! (how much travel time bonus would that be? hahaha) They won't "miss" me. They just miss a warm body.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
with the weight loss! The Jeep sounds like it is going to be perfect for traveling!
Thanks Cam! I am going to get serious! I am looking forward for the Jeep trip!
Quote:
Originally Posted by OneLittleSpark
Welcome to the club Chuck! We're all crazy here, crazy for Disney!
Wow! Saying 4 paychecks makes it seem so close huh? That happened to DH a few weeks ago, he was thinking we have plenty of time. I said to him, "You realize that we have 3 weekends for you to work before we go?" His response, "Omg, it isn't that far away is it? When you put it like that it's so short!" and that is when he agreed with me that we should cancel our weekend plans to go to CT. to visit friends. Irene would have had us canceling anyhow, but we didn't know that at the time!
You budgeting plan looks great! I hear you Coop about the souvie money. We don't go nuts on souvies either, and usually buy bigger things...as opposed to what I call throw away souvies. You know the small nothing things that are so cool there, you get home use them for...6 months, a year, and then it's time for it to bite the dust....yeah, we don't buy those. But at the same time, we like to be able to buy something if we want it. Within reason of course. I mean we aren't trying to buy the crystal castle in Germany for $37,500 are anything.
I too am looking for a more spring/summer pocketbook while I am there. I bought one last year, but it's very winter like. Big, black. Though, I don't think I would ever be able to buy D&B. It would take all my spending money. Can't wait to see if you get one though, and what one you choose. THere are some that I like, and others I have seen not as much.
Yay for your quitting smoking! I hadn't realized that you were a smoker. I am hoping to quit soon as well. Waiting for DH to want to do it. I have tried a few times, but it's extremely hard when you live with a smoker. Ugh.....
I also want to lose weight before next years trip in Dec. to meet my girls. I am hoping for about 50 lbs. off. I can do it, I have done it before. You can do it too Coop! I know you can! Weight Watchers uses the 10% body weight loss, as your first goal. So that is a great place to start!
62 days!! 62 days!!!! I got 10 days today! Update should be coming along later today!
Wow! I'm glad you made it through Irene! I didn't know there was a crystal castle in Germany worth $37,500! Do you think I can convince Chuck to buy it for me? I was a smoker of about 20 years. I quit smoking in 2007 and have put on 60+ lbs since then. I think I'm too far out to blame it all on my quitting smoking now. Chuck quit may years before (like 10+) so that was ok. It is extremely hard though. I tried just about everything and even had a really bad reaction to Zyban. (My kidneys started to shut down! - I'm better now) I did WW last year and it does work. I lost 30 lbs - then went to Disney the first time and didn't really pick it up again when I got back. Then they changed their points system since I started it and I just can't get my head around the new points system. Chuck is losing by just watching what he eats and he has been more active. He is doing really well! (now I just have to get my hind end in gear!) 10 days!!! YIPPEEE!!!
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Silly Coop! you saw it in my album on FB and said "I. MUST. HAVE."
Yeah - I just saw it after I posted this. I thought you put that up for me! Love it! But unfortunately Chuck put the kibosh on it. A girl can dream though right? Even though I can't live in my primary residence because I have it on loan to the white gloved one, I could drool over it's likeness in crystal!
Yeah - I just saw it after I posted this. I thought you put that up for me! Love it! But unfortunately Chuck put the kibosh on it. A girl can dream though right? Even though I can't live in my primary residence because I have it on loan to the white gloved one, I could drool over it's likeness in crystal!
I did choose that pic as my WDW pic of the day for you!
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Just hanging out is right! Hope Meri feels better! Good luck to you - stay strong (and sane!)
for staying healthy! My son has already had a few stuffy noses since he started school 3 weeks ago...thankfully nothing more serious than that so far. Gotta love cold and flu season once it gets into the school system! 
. As of Sunday we have 2 months! I would like to be 20 lbs lighter. I'm starting a Zumba class on 9/22 and have been trying to eat better. The thing is we need to lose 10% of our body weight by next year or else our health insurance premiums will increase. 
I know - the get ya going and coming! It's a racket! I mean I quit smoking (decrease in insurance, better for my health) but then put on 60 lbs because of it! Now I have to take it off again! Arrrrgggghhh!!! 
Our food plan is Waffle House and Zaxby's and Starbucks so not too expensive. 
(Anyone know where I can try this Conundrum?) I have budgeted about $1000 for all this as tips may run up there. Have you read our dining plans? We are on the DxDP and have many signature places! 
with the weight loss! The Jeep sounds like it is going to be perfect for traveling! 
"Sparky"(My first trip.)
Chuck quit may years before (like 10+) so that was ok. It is extremely hard though. I tried just about everything and even had a really bad reaction to Zyban. (My kidneys started to shut down!
Love it! But unfortunately Chuck put the kibosh on it. 
A girl can dream though right? Even though I can't live in my primary residence because I have it on loan to the white gloved one, I could drool over it's likeness in crystal!
I did choose that pic as my WDW pic of the day for you!
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