Forums Closed
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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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!
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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.
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06-15-2006, 02:17 AM
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#61
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PassPorter Message Board Manager
 PassPorter Guide Author
Community Rank: Legend VIP 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285
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Re: Aloha Kana and Pila Part 1
Another awesome update Bill - despite your comments about the weather, it looks like a beautiful day in your photos and the cloud over the mountains is how I always think of Hawaii - I guess now I know why! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
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06-15-2006, 08:52 AM
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#62
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Facebook Addict
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Philadelphia
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 39,682
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Re: Aloha Kana and Pila Part 1
Another great round of pictures! I'm looking forward to the pictures you took at Pearl Harbor.
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06-15-2006, 09:04 AM
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#63
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Community Rank: Legend Extraordinaire 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Ohio Football Hall Of Fame
Posts: 42,304
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Re: Aloha Kana and Pila Part 1
More please!!!!
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06-15-2006, 10:44 AM
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#64
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Community Rank: Explorer 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Fort Smith, Arkansas
Posts: 10,721
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Re: Aloha Kana and Pila Part 1
Loving the pictures and all these rainbows- way cool.
More please!
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06-16-2006, 09:21 AM
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#65
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The Original BagMan
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Shalimar, FL
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 22,002
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Re: Aloha Kana and Pila Part 1
[b] Boats!!!
Well, today is Monday, 5/22/06 and it dawned bright and sunny again, and the wind had died down a little
The plan for the day was to visit the U.S.S. Arizona memorial, the U.S.S. Bowfin and the U.S.S. Missouri. After that we would stop by the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation office to get some reduced price tickets for a couple of things
We left around 8AM, headed for the Arizona Memorial. All 3 of these attractions are relatively close, and use the same parking lots
We got there, and parked the truck, grabbed our gear and headed for the Arizona Memorial. On the way, we spotted sign that basically said Due to increased security measures, NO purses, backpacks, fanny packs, diaper bags, camera bags, luggage, or other items which offer concealment are allowed in the Visitor Center or on the Memorial. Valuables should not be stored in vehicles. They did provide a manned storage area in the gift shop/food court area, so we checked Jans backpack/purse with them
I was wearing a photographers vest and had my extra batteries, storage cards, lenses, etc in it and they let it go through
This no bag requirement was also applicable to the USS Bowfin and the USS Missouri
So, bags gone and we headed back for the Arizona Memorial
Along the way, we shot a few photos [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]
These three were used to make a panorama
And they made
A couple of Jans pics
Jan taking a picture of me taking a picture of her
One of the boats that take you out to the Memorial
Inside the Museum
These tablets list the survivors of the Arizona
There were 5 tablets
The Memorial from the shore at the Museum
The Missouri from the same shore
Pearl Harbor Naval Base
These displays were out showing Pearl Harbor today, then, and a number of other interesting history stuff
.
Jans pics
This one shows the location of all the ships in harbor on December 7th, 1941. We bought the full size poster of this one
Other shots from the shoreline behind the Museum Jan took
I ventured inside the historical part of the Museum for a little bit, it was really crowded. This is a photo of a scale model of the Arizona
A scale model of the Island of Oahu
One of the boats headed out to the Memorial
When you go into the Museum, you go through a turnstile and receive a ticket. This Museum/Memorial are free entry, they are maintained by the National Park Service. However, before you go out to the Memorial, you sit through a short movie describing the events of December 7th, 1941. It is interesting and has a lot of actual film footage taken during the attack
Some of the locals
The benches are for sitting while waiting to enter the theatre..
A couple of photos taken while on the boat out
These are the actual concrete pilings the ships were tied up to when attacked. They have painted the name of the vessel and the identification number on each piling
Docking at the Memorial
NEXT: The U.S.S. Arizona Memorial
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06-16-2006, 09:53 AM
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#66
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: second star to the right
Posts: 13,308
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Re: Aloha Kana and Pila Part 1
More wonderful pics! Can't wait to see more.
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Sponsored links
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06-16-2006, 10:08 AM
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#67
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Manchester NH
Concierge Level: 4
Posts: 12,514
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Re: Aloha Kana and Pila Part 1
excellent update!
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06-16-2006, 10:27 AM
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#68
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The Original BagMan
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Shalimar, FL
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 22,002
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Re: Aloha Kana and Pila Part 1
[b] The U.S.S. Arizona Memorial
.
This is a very moving experience. The Memorial is actually the tomb of those lost when the ship sank.
SOAPBOX MODE ON
Folks, if you want to go here, and I highly recommend it to everyone, and you have children
.. Please, Please, Please have them under control or do a parent swap
The poor Park Employees had to constantly remind a couple of families with children, some not so young, who were running around screaming and hollering
SOAPBOX MODE OFF
We took a lot of photos here
..
Starting with mine
Many of my photos were taken with a polarizing filter on, so you can see more of the underwater structure then without the filter. It cancels the surface reflection
I had to remember to take it off later to get the oil slick coming up from the ship
A diagram of the ships location on the bottom, and where the memorial sets above it
Without the polarizer
Through the opening inside the memorial
This wall contains the names of all the Sailors who died on the Arizona
This small wall contains the names of the survivors of the Arizona who, upon their passing (obviously), were cremated and returned with their fellow sailors after their death. This option was made available by congress
Polarizer off to show oil slicking
Same shot, polarizer on
Jans Photos
Some Scenery shots taken from the Memorial
Mine
Jans
The ugly OLD guy
Leaving the Monument
Mine
The ride back
That bridge is unique. Not only does it connect Oahu to Ford Island, but it is retractable in the middle. It can be opened up wide enough for an Aircraft to float through to get to the other side of Ford Island
The boat back at the Museum
Now, a little history 
Over the years they have attempted to dive into the Arizona (and the Utah) to retrieve the sailors still in there and attempt to stop the oil leaking. They have realized, as they attempt to go in each time, that they are causing the ships to deteriorate faster and have decided to no longer attempt this. Those sailors in the ships will remain there forever
NEXT: The USS Bowfin submarine
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06-16-2006, 10:35 AM
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#69
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: second star to the right
Posts: 13,308
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Re: Aloha Kana and Pila Part 1
Great photos except for the one titled "Scary Old guy" - that one just gives me the willies.
I have never been to Pearl Harbor but your photos give me a pretty good sense of how moving it is. Thanks for sharing.
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06-16-2006, 11:03 AM
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#70
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Illinois
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 9,564
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Re: Aloha Kana and Pila Part 1
Very inspiring Bill, I hope to get to Hawaii someday and that will be top on my list of things to do. Thanks for sharing it and can't wait for more.
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06-16-2006, 12:09 PM
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#71
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Community Rank: Legend 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 18,767
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Re: Aloha Kana and Pila Part 1
Oh my goodness!! Those pictures are so moving and inspiring. Thank you for sharing those pics especially.
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06-16-2006, 12:34 PM
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#72
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RED SOX NATION!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854
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Re: Aloha Kana and Pila Part 1
Fantastic pictures Bill [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thanx.gif[/img] I'm sure it must have been a moving experience, as it certainly is just from seeing your pictures!
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Sponsored links
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06-16-2006, 12:35 PM
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#73
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Fort Smith, Arkansas
Posts: 10,721
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Re: Aloha Kana and Pila Part 1
How incredible. As usual, terrific photos that take us all with you.
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06-16-2006, 02:06 PM
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#74
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Community Rank: Scout 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 4,695
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Re: Aloha Kana and Pila Part 1
Thanks for sharing Bill. You're pictures bring back a lot of memories of my trip to Oahu in 1991 just after graduating High School. We went to see the Arizona memorial and I'll never forget how I felt seeing that. It is a not to be missed experience.
You're also bringing back a lot of memories of my boyfriend at the time who I went to Hawaii with. He had lived in Hawaii before moving to the Seattle area so we got to see a lot of fun stuff while there. He passed away from cancer just before our 10 year reunion and its fun to remember what a great trip we had when he was healthy.
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06-16-2006, 03:01 PM
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#75
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Facebook Addict
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Philadelphia
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 39,682
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Re: Aloha Kana and Pila Part 1
Very stirring pictures, Bill. Thanks for sharing them. I didn't take nearly as many pictures on the Memorial as I would have liked to when I was there on my honeymoon. Looking at your pictures brought back the memories and emotions I felt when I visited. Again, Thanks for sharing them.
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