Surf & Turf 2014 PTR! (February 22-March 6, 2014) - Page 5 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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.
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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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Oh boy do I hear you about the changes with the Fastpass +. I wasn't sure how we'd do with them either and, despite the fact I'm a planner, I still don't like having to plan out our entire day so far ahead. I think with the DAS (we got one for our trip, but actually never used it the whole time) and Fastpass + you should be fine.
I'm really glad you think the new DAS combined with FP+ will work pretty well for you. I resisted the changes at first, but am coming to think they will work out ok for me as well. You mentioned your FP+ window opening on Christmas Eve and I just wanted to mention that this is not like the ADR window or the DVC booking window. The fastpasses do not disappear quickly, at least for the low-crowd period you'll be there. My window opened 2 weeks ago and I still have a good choice of times for all rides in all parks. Also, you should be getting another flash drive for your second stay. I'm staying at 2 different DVC resorts in February and got 2 flash drives. Your plans look great and I look forward to hearing how it all goes for you!
Oh boy do I hear you about the changes with the Fastpass +. I wasn't sure how we'd do with them either and, despite the fact I'm a planner, I still don't like having to plan out our entire day so far ahead. I think with the DAS (we got one for our trip, but actually never used it the whole time) and Fastpass + you should be fine.
I like the idea of FP+ and although many complain 3 a day is not enough, I'm glad it is limited, because my OCD nature would have way to many and we wouldn't take time to enjoy other things. I think combined with the DAS we will make it work and really enjoy our trip.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
I'm really glad you think the new DAS combined with FP+ will work pretty well for you. I resisted the changes at first, but am coming to think they will work out ok for me as well. You mentioned your FP+ window opening on Christmas Eve and I just wanted to mention that this is not like the ADR window or the DVC booking window. The fastpasses do not disappear quickly, at least for the low-crowd period you'll be there. My window opened 2 weeks ago and I still have a good choice of times for all rides in all parks. Also, you should be getting another flash drive for your second stay. I'm staying at 2 different DVC resorts in February and got 2 flash drives. Your plans look great and I look forward to hearing how it all goes for you!
Although we are resistant to change, I think that the DAS is the way the GAC should have been handled. I like that our "alternate waiting" area will be of our choosing. I'm actually thinking that the DAS will help us slow down and enjoy the parks a little more. I do understand how it may not work for some families, but I think that Disney really did their best to find a solution that "can" work for those willing to give it a little effort.
I glad to know that about the FP's not running out like ADR's. But again, my OCD nature, I will want to be on there the day it opens and at least get the most important rides in. I am planning to use some for parades or fireworks, since we rarely do these due to the crowds. I am happy I'll get another flash drive. I think I will turn one into my Disney planning drive and the other into the drive for all the app data for the app Hunter and I are working on.
You didn't tell me you got a flash drive in the mail! All our conversations and that's huge news!!! Ok pouty rant over
It sounds like fastpass+ is going to help make things go smoothly and it's nice to know they aren't running out as quickly as ADRs (I'm sure high volume times is probably different). We haven't been in Feb for a few years, but I always enjoy that time because the temps seem perfect to me and the crowds are low. I really like the list of must do's too.
You didn't tell me you got a flash drive in the mail! All our conversations and that's huge news!!! Ok pouty rant over
It sounds like fastpass+ is going to help make things go smoothly and it's nice to know they aren't running out as quickly as ADRs (I'm sure high volume times is probably different). We haven't been in Feb for a few years, but I always enjoy that time because the temps seem perfect to me and the crowds are low. I really like the list of must do's too.
I have to save something for you to read on here. If it makes you feel better you can be the first to know I got the second flash drive in the mail today.
I definitely think we can make it work. I have had a hard time getting as excited planning for this trip. But once I really took the time to think about it all and start to work out a plan it started making me feel better. We love the Jan/Feb time of year, we like cooler weather and less crowds. I think the must-do's look good, I am starting to make a list of the "really-would-like-to-do's" so I have some backup plans, because I'm sure we are going to have too much spare time.
I have to save something for you to read on here. If it makes you feel better you can be the first to know I got the second flash drive in the mail today.
I definitely think we can make it work. I have had a hard time getting as excited planning for this trip. But once I really took the time to think about it all and start to work out a plan it started making me feel better. We love the Jan/Feb time of year, we like cooler weather and less crowds. I think the must-do's look good, I am starting to make a list of the "really-would-like-to-do's" so I have some backup plans, because I'm sure we are going to have too much spare time.
What is on the flash drive? Do they come with files already loaded?
Great list of must dos! I truly hope the DAS and FP+ work for you all.
I hope we can work it out as well. I'm glad we have so many trips under our belts and the kids are not needing/wanting to do everything. I'm also glad we are staying at BCV, because the pool will be a big draw and we may spend a bit less time in the parks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by num1DVCfan
What is on the flash drive? Do they come with files already loaded?
There isn't much on them. Just links to the Disney website and a couple videos with The Incredibles about MagciBands and FP+. To be honest what's on it isn't that exciting, but I plan to use them for other purposes.
I think you really have the right attitude about the changes and how it's going to affect you. And just because you are going into it thinking it will work out, that it will! Your must do's look great and aren't too overwhelming that you shouldn't be able to get them all in Plus I think once you see your FP+ options and get that "in the plans" you will feel even better about it all!
I think you really have the right attitude about the changes and how it's going to affect you. And just because you are going into it thinking it will work out, that it will! Your must do's look great and aren't too overwhelming that you shouldn't be able to get them all in Plus I think once you see your FP+ options and get that "in the plans" you will feel even better about it all!
I realize that my attitude will affect the kids as well. I really try to be positive and look for the good in most situations. I still have some concerns, but I am trying to make plans for those areas so the trip goes smoothly.
I hope the new DAS and FP+ work well for you. I'm still trying to figure out the best way to go about the new FP+ since we will stay at SOG and therefore cant get them in advance. I hope everything isn't all gone before hand.
Great planning so far. Looking forward to hearing more.
I was hoping to have an update done before Christmas, but I'm not sure if that will happen. I will have to see how baking goes today.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mommapants
I hope the new DAS and FP+ work well for you. I'm still trying to figure out the best way to go about the new FP+ since we will stay at SOG and therefore cant get them in advance. I hope everything isn't all gone before hand.
I'm certain we will figure something out with DAS and FP+. I'm glad we have had some time to hear some reports and figure out how to try and make it work for us. That stinks about not being able to get FP+ in advance at SoG. From what I'm hearing they don't seem to run out the way ADR's do, but who knows. BTW, thanks to whichever family/friend has served! We would like to stay at SoG, but being DVC it may never happen.
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What is on the flash drive? Do they come with files already loaded?
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