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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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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Just joining in. Wow, did you guys have a long first day! But I probably would've done the same. Looks like everyone is having a wonderful time so far. I can't believe how big your boys are getting. And I think AJ looks just like his dad, Abniel looks more like you, and Adriel is totally your mini me! Looking forward to more!
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
What a great night! Dinner looked delicious! It's nice to watch illuminations without a camera! Glad you were able to do that.
It was the first time I'd truly seen the show. I figured I had enough photos of it, I didn't need any extra ones.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mommapants
great HS day and Epcot night. How cool you could keep the surprise of Via Napoli. I go back and forth on tryin that place. My son isn't crazy about pizza but it looks so good I just really want to try it.
Your son isn't crazy about pizza? I hope you get to try it someday, it's really good.
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Originally Posted by shazza
Glad you had such a nice evening after the lock out episode. We like Via Napoli too!
The lock out incident was soon forgotten.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JKnott17
Yum! Your pizza looks so good, I love Via Napoli. Glad you were able to surprise Arben with it!
He had been nagging me throughout the whole planning process about eating here. I kept telling him that we wouldn't. The adr, I got it only a couple of weeks before our trip.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
Sounds like a fun time at the pool and a nice evening at Epcot. Glad you were able to surprise Arben with dinner at Via Napoli. It looked delicious
It was really delicious!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcc0313
What a great surprise for dinner and it looks like it was a great meal. We ate there once and it was not our best meal but hoping it was just an off day and think it might go back on the list again soon for us to give it another shot.
I've gone there twice and both times the service & food has been great. Hope you give it another try.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
I had a truly terrible meal with a soggy pizza when I ate at Via Napoli, but everyone else's food photos always look so good. Like Meg, I may have to give this another try if I can tear myself away from Tutto Italia. Your meal looked very yummy. So great to luck out with perfect viewing for Illuminations. Guaranteed tears for me as well!
I've never tried Tutto Italia. Not because I don't want to but because my family isn't crazy about the menu.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Timon-HakunaMatata
We have reservations at Tutto Italia but I see the pizzas at Via Napoli and they make me sooo hungry. Need to make sure we try one while there. I don't care if I am not real hungry!
I saw all these other wonderful pizzas with some delicious looking toppings, but I had to settle with the one I got because of my non-adventurous eaters. Next time I'll go for an individual size for me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mfirst
What a fun day - minus the napper who didn't hear the kids banging on the door. I loved the picture you posted from the pool on FB -wish I were there right now! I'm so glad Arben liked his surprise dinner.
Our boys are growing up way too fast - I too wish I could just slow down time. Sorry - feeling a bit nostalgic as my older two start school tomorrow (4th and 1st grade) and the youngest begins Monday (pre-K, full day).
Poor kids. Now I laugh at the incident.
Tell me about kids growing up fast. I mean, AJ has facial hair. My baby is in 4th grade. Abniel will be in middle school next year and AJ in high school.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Relaxing at the pool is always so fun! Glad Arben enjoyed his surprise dinner at Via Napoli.
I loved relaxing by the pool rather than in it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mojjo
It's amazing how nice the fireworks are when you aren't looking at them through a view finder.
So much better. It's like you're seeing it for the first time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperDave
Looked like a great time at the pool on a hot day! Funny, that you mention the kids needing sunglasses at the pool. I didn't bring mine on my trip in April and really could have used them as I was squinting quite a bit in the parks! Glad you enjoyed Via Napoli. Have never tried it as there are so many great pizza options in my part of the US in the SW CT and NYC area.
Oh, I would love to try some NY style pizza!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Glad you had a great night at Epcot after the lockout issue! Love the pics!
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by goofyboysmama
Nice pool time (except for the nap time snafu!) I keep trying to convince DH that we should try the pizza at Via Napoli, but so far, no go. Very nice night time pics of Epcot.
The first time we went, I did it based on the good reviews. Well, thank goodness because we fell in love with the place.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DouglasE
I'm impressed that the two younger boys were able to keep the secret from Arben. I always find it amusing that children often will report that their favorite part of the trip will be the hotel or resort pool. But I've got to admit those pool pictures you took were mighty inviting.
I thought for sure the youngest would blurt it out or at least say something suspicious.
If you ask my two youngest what their favorite part of the trip was they'll probably say the pool. Crazy kids.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
Just joining in. Wow, did you guys have a long first day! But I probably would've done the same. Looks like everyone is having a wonderful time so far. I can't believe how big your boys are getting. And I think AJ looks just like his dad, Abniel looks more like you, and Adriel is totally your mini me! Looking forward to more!
Yeah, we were like the Energizer bunny. We kept going, and going, and going.
These boys keep growing and growing. I tell them to stop but they won't listen. Adriel is a mini me and totally a momma's boy.
Sounds like it was a fairly easy-going, fun-filled day between HS, Pool time, and Epcot! The pizza looks It's always a special bit of magic when you just happen upon a perfect spot to view Illuminations
I just found your TR so I am behind!
Wow! What a travel day! I don't know how you made it that long without sleep!!! Great first day though!
I scream my head off on ToT too! It is so much fun! Loved all the PP pics of you guys at DHS! Too cute!!
We are eating at Via Napoli for the first time in October so seeing that pizza was a wonderful thing! It looks delicious. I was curious too if you could split toppings! Good to know.
Can't wait for more!
Sounds like it was a fairly easy-going, fun-filled day between HS, Pool time, and Epcot! The pizza looks It's always a special bit of magic when you just happen upon a perfect spot to view Illuminations
It was truly magical to be able to find that perfect spot and not having to wait in it for an hour.
Quote:
Originally Posted by xwewhisper
Looks like a great day! Seeing that pizza from Via Napoli made me quite hungry Great Memory Maker pics from both parks too!
That pizza... so delicious! I'm looking forward to next time I'm there so I can get an individual one with some exciting toppings.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mousestruck
Sounds like a great evening at Epcot! And you've given us a new restaurant to try... your meal looks yummy!
You should try it. The pizza is really good and so are some other dishes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by disneydreamer33
I just found your TR so I am behind!
Wow! What a travel day! I don't know how you made it that long without sleep!!! Great first day though!
I scream my head off on ToT too! It is so much fun! Loved all the PP pics of you guys at DHS! Too cute!!
We are eating at Via Napoli for the first time in October so seeing that pizza was a wonderful thing! It looks delicious. I was curious too if you could split toppings! Good to know.
Can't wait for more!
I was excited when the server told us we could do half and half of whatever we wanted. Of course, in my family that means: half cheese and half pepperoni.
Woke up at 8. Today we were headed to Typhoon Lagoon. Yippee!
Made some breakfast for everyone: scrambled eggs, bacon and toast. And of course, coffee for Arben and I. Since the aroma of my delicious cooking didn't wake them up, I had to go do it myself. You know the scenes in movies and commercials, where the family is suddenly drawn to the kitchen because of the smell of the mother's cooking... TOTALLY FALSE.
Anyways... after eating and getting dressed, we headed out. At this point it was about 9:30. We arrived at TL and it was packed. It was the first time we'd ever been there so I tried to familiarize myself with the park. We went in search of seats which, btw, was no easy task. We found a couple of chairs (not lounge chairs but actual chairs) in the sun and we just dropped our stuff there.
We went into the lazy river. We relaxed for a while, enjoying the sun and the water.
At first we were all together but then we lost Abniel and Adriel. I mean they lost themselves, on purpose. We sent AJ to see if he could find them. I knew they wouldn't dare to get out of the water by themselves. After a couple of minutes with no sign of them, Arben and I got out and started walking upstream to see if we could spot them. We came upon a bridge and we stayed there, waiting for them to pass. Finally, we saw them and told them to take the next exit.
We then decided to hit the wave pool for a while. It was good and the waves weren't that big (remember this for later). The boys were itching for some slides, so they took off with Arben and I, of course, stayed behind cause' I don't do slides.
I was kind of hungry so I got myself a pretzel with cheese sauce. I also decided to buy a refillable mug. I went back to my seat in the scorching sun and enjoyed my snack.
I grew tired of sitting, so I walked around a bit. I got some PP photos done.
The photographer told me to do some Mickey ears. I gave him sassy Minnie.
I found the guys and some shaded lounge chairs. We moved our things and the guys convinced me to try Crush 'n' Gusher. All the way to the slide, I was second guessing myself. I was so nervous and my heart was at my throat.
We got to the top and it was our turn. Adriel sat in the front, I was in the middle and Arben was in back. The CM asked if we were ready, I told him no. He sent us on anyway. Yep, I screamed. It was good, but I was so nervous about tipping over when we got to the bottom. I remember in one of Lisa's (lfredsbo) TR, her daughter Emily tipped over. The idea of going under water freaked me out. Thankfully, we made it down safely. And just in case there is doubt that I really rode, here's the photographic evidence.
I look like I'm in pain, but I had fun.
Some other pictures of Crush 'n' Gusher
And if some of you haven't seen it, this is Crush 'n' Gusher.
After my adventure, the guys were kind of hungry. Arben and AJ decided on funnel cakes. Abniel and Adriel wanted some powdered donuts. While I took care of that, the boys got our mug refilled.
We went back to the wave pool. We were having a good time when the siren went off. Of course I knew that was the signal for the wave that was coming. So I prepared myself, but then this huge wave came out. They say the waves are 6 ft in height, I think they're much bigger than that. When the wave hit me, I went under and was swept away. I was scared, like really scared. I am deathly afraid of water. So for that to happen to me... When I finally emerged, I looked for the gang. I was nervous for Adriel, since his swimming skills aren't all that great. I found him and the rest of the gang too. Poor thing had been taken by surprised and gone underwater. I decided then and there, that the wave pool was not for me.
Abniel and Adriel wanted to do some more slides. So I went with them. We got some PP pics along the way.
Arben and AJ joined us. They went down the slides too. We got some pictures taken.
We were going to do Crush 'n' Gusher again (yeah, I was feeling brave) but the line was 45 minutes. No way I could wait that long. Arben and Adriel went on, while we went back to our seats.
After their ride we decided to head out. But first, the boys refilled their mugs. I think I got my money's worth with all the refills we got.
Back at the resort, we showered and relaxed a bit. Then we got dressed and headed to DTD. At this point we were starving. But of course when it came time to decide, some people wanted EoS and the others wanted WPE. So what did I do? I went to EoS first and got Adriel and AJ's food. Then I went back to WPE and got the rest of the food. Cause' that's what mom's do. And remember, Arben doesn't speak english so he's no help and AJ is in that awkward age where he can't do anything that involves speaking.
If I remember correctly, AJ got the BLT sandwich and Adriel got the kid's pizza sandwich. Abniel got a cheese pizza. Wow how adventurous! Arben got the chicken with mashed potatoes and I got the bacon wrapped meatloaf. And to drink, I had Cherry Coke.
Arben's dinner
My dinner.
Oh, Cherry Coke! How I've missed you!
OH MY WORD, was that meatloaf delicious! Ever since I saw photos of it I've been dying to try it. I looked so good, but tasted even better. It took a lot of strength for me not to lick the plate clean.
After our fulfilling dinner, we headed out to Disney Quest. But first, we stepped into Marketplace Fun Finds so Adriel could get a mystery bag. After examining a couple, he decided on one and paid up.
We finally got to DQ. Here the elevator takes you to the 5th floor first, which is weird. We decided to do the Aladdin ride. Adriel and Abniel went first. Then it was our turn. The fit you with these goggle thingys and then you're seated at like a motorcycle type seat. It's a simulator ride where you have to find some jewels, I don't know. The only thing I know is that we failed the mission. When I got off that ride I felt nauseous and dizzy. I sat down for a bit, while the guys did Jungle Cruise and Pirates. After they were done, I wasn't feeling any better so I volunteered to go back to the resort while they stayed behind. Well, that didn't sit well with Arben, so we just all headed out with the promise of coming back some other time. Which, btw, we ever did.
The boys wanted some snacks so we went into the Candy Cauldron. And just to prove that nothing's perfect at the happiest place on Earth, I had sort of a meltdown. We were trying to sort out what the boys were getting. I told them I would pay for their snack, as I didn't want them to spend their money on candy. Well Abniel refused. I'm trying to convince him and he's not backing down. While this little debate is happening, Arben is off to the side, just minding his own business. Well I'd had it. With feeling sick and Abniel's unwillingness to budge and my own stubborness, I exploded. I told Arben to deal with it and I stormed out of the store. Yeah, not my proudest moment. I was tempted to just leave them there and just head to the bus stop but I didn't. AJ came outside to talk to me and convinced me to come back in.
In the end, Adriel got a frozen drink in a souvenir cup and AJ got the same but in a regular cup, which I paid for. Abniel got his candy and he paid for it.
After the purchases, we walked to the Pleasure Island bus stop where we waited about 20-25 minutes for a bus. We arrived at the hotel and it was lights out shortly after.
Sorry about the meltdown but trust me, we've all had them Sounds like you all had a fun day though! We love Typhoon Lagoon. I get a little nervous in the wave pool because I don't like being swept off my feet by the giant waves. I love Crush n Gusher! Great ride! Your dinner at DD looked delicious Can't wait for the next update!
Great day at TL! I love all the pictures! When DH and I did Blizzard Beach last year we didn't bring a camera because we didn't want to leave it laying around, and there were no PP photographers in sight! So no pics for us! But I'm glad to see that with the magic bands you were able to get lots of pics!
What fun at the water park! We had it on our list, but the budget this trip ended up getting squeezed so it was cut out! It looks like so much fun! Good for you for trying C&G!
Sorry you had a melt down at the candy store. Sometimes the heat and exhaustion will just do that to us moms.
Looks like you all had quite a bit of fun at Typhoon Lagoon! I like how they now have roving PhotoPass photographers there so you can get some photos all together.
Wow, what a fun day! I love all of the Photopass pics you got at the waterpark! I was only in TL once, way back when I was in Disney for my senior trip in high school. I remember that wave pool and those crazy waves! One caught me by surprise, I went under and spun around a bit, and then finally the wave slammed me down on the concrete really hard. I thought I had broken my foot, it hurt so bad! Thankfully it was just scraped up and bruised, but that was all it took for me to stay away from that pool for the rest of the day!
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Sounds like you had a fun day at Typhoon Lagoon. I love how they have a Photopass photographer and I love your sassy Minnie picture. I hear you about the wave pool. The same thing happened to me! I thought I was going to drown!
All I've ever done at TL is the lazy river, and from the sounds of it, that's all I'd care to do! Looks like your family had a blast, though, and the MM photos are great.
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But I probably would've done the same. 
Looks like everyone is having a wonderful time so far. I can't believe how big your boys are getting. And I think AJ looks just like his dad, Abniel looks more like you, and Adriel is totally your mini me! 
Looking forward to more!
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Glad Arben enjoyed his surprise dinner at Via Napoli. 
Funny, that you mention the kids needing sunglasses at the pool. I didn't bring mine on my trip in April and really could have used them as I was squinting quite a bit in the parks! 
Crazy kids.
Adriel is a mini me and totally a momma's boy. 
It's always a special bit of magic when you just happen upon a perfect spot to view Illuminations 
*Melissa
Aimee
Liz 
TOTALLY FALSE. 
We decided to do the Aladdin ride. Adriel and Abniel went first. Then it was our turn. The fit you with these goggle thingys and then you're seated at like a motorcycle type seat. It's a simulator ride where you have to find some jewels, I don't know. The only thing I know is that we failed the mission. When I got off that ride I felt nauseous and dizzy. I sat down for a bit, while the guys did Jungle Cruise and Pirates. After they were done, I wasn't feeling any better so I volunteered to go back to the resort while they stayed behind. Well, that didn't sit well with Arben, so we just all headed out with the promise of coming back some other time. Which, btw, we ever did.
I was tempted to just leave them there and just head to the bus stop but I didn't. AJ came outside to talk to me and convinced me to come back in. 
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