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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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Thoroughly enjoyed your TR. Thanks for the AOA photos, and I think your Photopass Ride pics are some of the best I've seen - it's obvious the boys are having a great time with their favorite Aunt!
Finally caught up! It was great seeing you that day. I wish it would've been under better circumstances. With as often as you go I'm sure we'll run into you again before too long.
This sounded like a wonderful trip for everyone! I love that you take your nephews on your own too. I became an aunt a few weeks ago and have said we'll take him when he's 5 whether his parents want to go or not.
I'm way late to the end of the party, but I LOVE all of the AoA photos! Thanks for the menu photos of the tandoori offerings! I'm definitely eating there on the next visit!
Can't wait to read about your current trip, too! Your TR's are always so detailed!
I was SO far behind, but just finished. The new resort looks great. But wwe don't do anything but DVC anymore (and have definitely moved into the resort snob club) so don't think we will ever do more than tour there at some point. Maybe eat at LoF, as the choices looked great!
Hope you're having fun on the next trip!
Boy take off a few weeks and you sure miss alot. Like the whole end of your trip.
All caught up now. So glad you all had such a nice time. As always I just love your TR and all the wonderful photos. Those boys are just so stinking cute too.
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Sorry I haven't been on the boards lately! I had a project that was taking all my attention and then the hurricane happened! Luckily, I was in a great spot because I had no damage and never lost power. I actually had a lot of time at home, but instead of hanging out on the boards, I cleaned - my closets are a thing of beauty now. Anyway, sorry it's taken so long to get my next TR started. I've got some catching up to do, so it'll be a few more days, but I've got a little surprise to tide y'all over. My DSIL worked out her computer issues, so I've got her photos to share!
Quote:
Originally Posted by honeybee723
Holy heck...I'm finally all caught up! You really rock-n-rolled through this report and I don't know how I got so far behind! Anyway, let me go back a bit...
Poor Isaiah. My heart was breaking for the little guy, and how brave of him to try to hold back his tears, but who does really want to leave Disney anyway? The AOA resort looks very nice, but since I'm not into the overthemeing of things, I'm not sure I would really love to stay here. I love the fact that the rooms are so big, but I just can't get past the look of them. I don't know...I think, ahem, I know, I'm a resort snob too, but I'm also a fireworks snob, a customer service snob and a theme park snob because of Disney too.
I loved the part when Daniel said he'd take you to Disney with him when he was in the NFL. Did you tell him he could pay for your trip as well? Love the relationship you have with the boys, and even though I have some wonderful aunts, they don't seem nearly as fun as you are.
Another great report Sharon! Thanks for letting us follow along.
Poor Isaiah. He made out like a bandit, though, so I don't feel too sorry for him any more. And Daniel didn't mention who'd pay for the trip when he's in the NFL. He probably thinks I should pay my own way - he thinks I'm rich. I think my brother told him that, actually! No matter what I say, I can't convince him otherwise.
Quote:
Originally Posted by luvnwdwgal
Another great trip report Sharon! It's so nice that your family gets along so well on vacation. We've been there, done that a couple times with our family members and don't really care to do it again. I can honestly say they were the 2 worse trips to WDW we've ever taken. Wishing you a great time with your Mom!
I'm lucky that we all get along so well. I'm not sure I'd be willing to travel with them otherwise!
Quote:
Originally Posted by coffeechef
As always .. awesome trip report. I think it is so wonderful that you and your Family enjoy Dinsey so much. Then Spending time with your 2 older nephews is just icing on the cake. I know it must be hard to leave Isaiah behind. How sweet though that Daniel is going to bring you to Disney when he grows up and is an NFL star.
maybe you will get to ride with him in the Parade after the SuperBowl.
Have a Great Mom/daughter trip... looking forward to hearing of the Great Candy caper collection.
My goodness, riding with Daniel in that parade would be the best Disney moment EVER!! And my DM got loads of candy. I'll get started on that TR soon, I promise!
Quote:
Originally Posted by disneydani
Awesome finish..,.and I had like 10 pages of catching up to do! . So glad your parents were showered with 50th anniversary attention and that it was another successful Stevenson summer vacay. (save for the O'hana wait). Love all the pics of AoA...we did our own self-guided tour in June and it looked really pretty awesome. Maybe I am crazy....but I have a vague recollection of Goofys Barnstormer going around the track twice as well...when AJ was a toddler...sometime in the late 90's...
Danielle
I don't ever remember it going around twice, but I don't really ride it all that often. I am certain that it did NOT go around twice in 2010!
Quote:
Originally Posted by rlb38
Great TR , loved all the pictures of AoA. Looking forward to the next, I assume it's coming right up
Well, kinda.
Quote:
Originally Posted by shnewell
Great TR, Sharon! I love your writing style and your wrap-ups are always so good. I want to be you when I grow up.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
And I'll be you when I grow up!
Quote:
Originally Posted by disney_duke
I got sooo far behind, I think I was ahead.
All in all, it sounded like a wonderful trip! I loved your drawing of Mickey - so good! And I hope you and your mom are having a great time this weekend!
I was so proud of my drawing! I showed it to everyone I know!
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey
Great wrap up to another fabulous TR! You really had a wonderful trip. It definitely helps that your family all get along so well. I loved all of the pictures of AoA! It is so cute and well-themed! Thanks for sharing, and I hope you are enjoying your time at the F&WF.
It definitely helps that we all get along so well and are used to spending time together. Everyone is so easygoing, so there isn't ever a battle of wills.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fltatndnt
What an exciting trip! I just read the whole thing today and was thrilled to be able to share more info with my family for our upcoming trip! It also makes me want to run away at some point this month to hit the F&WF....
F&WF is a must for me!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Linnynad
Ya know I noticed some weird pool stuff going on at the stay we just had at the Poly. Over the weekend, I noticed an awful lot of people just swimming in their normal clothes, kids mostly, but a few adults. I thought that was odd, but I guess what really can you say to somewone about that.
Then one afternoon Josie was playing with a little girl in the pool and I got to talking with her mom. She said they live in Orlando now, originally from Jersey, but they come here all the time. To the point she said going to Disney isn't even like a vaction to them..... I thought to myself the whole time.....do they just come to use the pool for the afternoon, then go home??? No one was ever checking for room keys either.
Anyhoo.....great TR as always. Your family has the best smiles and I really love reading all about your travels with them
I've seen them checking resort IDs at the Poly, so I guess the problem is more widespread than I thought! And now that I think about it, the beach cleared right out after they did it. But then at the Poly, I always assumed they're people taking a break from touring the MK, not locals.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
A great finish to another wonderful trip report!
I absolutely love your Mickey you drew, that is spot on, exactly like the real thing. Kudos to you for that!
I loved the slow pace of that animation class (and having erasers helped too, even though I only erased a little bit). I'm going to frame that drawing, I'm so proud of it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilovedisney0_0
Did you stay in 0521 at AoA?
That is my DD's birthday!
I love, love LOVE your TRs! And oooh I am so excited to learn you are doing a cruise/WDW next year! We are sailing in October 2013, then going to the parks. I am trying to fit in as much as I can! And speaking of that, I am ready to read your TR for your mommy/daughter trip (that you are on NOW), because we plan on doing 2 days of Food and Wine at Epcot...so take lots of pictures!
I promise I'll have the F&WF info soon. And maybe I need to take a cruise soon, just to be able to answer any questions you have.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lfredsbo
WOW! I had a lot of catching up to do!!! I was a bit busy playing with Mickey and friends during the last week! I kept my eye out for you this past weekend, but didn't get to see you
Sounds like you and your family had a FANTASTIC time and what a great time you had with your nephews!!!
As always, your TR was very entertaining!!!
Too bad we didn't cross paths.
Quote:
Originally Posted by shazza
Thoroughly enjoyed your TR. Thanks for the AOA photos, and I think your Photopass Ride pics are some of the best I've seen - it's obvious the boys are having a great time with their favorite Aunt!
Those Photopass pictures are extra special because Daniel really lets himself go - it's a challenge to get him to smile in normal photos (a perfect example is coming up in the next post).
Quote:
Originally Posted by sc507
Great TR Sharon! Still sad we missed each other - one day we shall meet!
One day!
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles!
Finally caught up! It was great seeing you that day. I wish it would've been under better circumstances. With as often as you go I'm sure we'll run into you again before too long.
This sounded like a wonderful trip for everyone! I love that you take your nephews on your own too. I became an aunt a few weeks ago and have said we'll take him when he's 5 whether his parents want to go or not.
Hope you & your Mom are having a great time!
I was just happy to get to see you at all! I was sure we'd see you that night in the MK, but it was so late by the time we got back, and then we didn't stay long, that it never happened. I'm sure we'll have overlapping trips in the future!
ADDITIONAL PICTURES ARE COMING RIGHT UP!!!
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
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Great pictures!! The boys are all so handsome, but that Isaiah is just too cute for words! How do you keep from hugging and kissing him all the time?!?
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And finally, Day 6, which was our AK day (and dinner at 'Ohana).
Pooh loved Isaiah - he kept cuddling him!
Eeyore loved Isi too, espeically after Isaiah told him don't be sad. He gave Isaiah such a squeeze after that!
Tigger is telling me to zip it after I told Isaiah to bounce with Tigger!
I missed this part of the conversation, so I'm really curious what was going on there! Maybe there's a magic Photopass picture where they add in Baby Simba.
The boys just loved petting the animals - it was one of their favorite parts of the day!
Jackie got this great photo of Lilly playing...
Hope you enjoyed the photos!
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
Glad you're back and that you didn't have storm damage! Hope you're ready for the next storm, due Wednesday and Thursday.
Fantastic photos. Has your SiL decided that the one way to make sure she's not photographed is to hold the camera? She takes good photos, though. The boys look fantastic. Love the one of all the boys (young and young-at-heart) and the ones of Noah and Isaiah.
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With as often as you go I'm sure we'll run into you again before too long. 
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
Holly: 
Anyway, let me go back a bit...
He made out like a bandit, though, so I don't feel too sorry for him any more. 
I think my brother told him that, actually! 
I can honestly say they were the 2 worse trips to WDW we've ever taken. 
Luckily, he cooperated most of the time for the pictures. 
that one!
PassPorter Guide Author
So glad you made it through Sandy Ok. Love the photos! 
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