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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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.

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There are other changes as well.

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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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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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Old 11-05-2007, 09:32 AM   #1
marianne e cornett
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Other Orlando Area Fun!

OK! At the risk of being labeled a heretic, I am still going to put this question out there. There IS other life in Orlando outside of Disney. We love everything about Orlando and Florida for that matter. So, what I want to hear from you guys is . . . who else likes to do things off property? And what are some of the unusual, different things that you've found? This time we are going to Lakeridge Winery and Showcase of Citrus in Clermont and the World of Orchids in Orlando. And for you scrappers out there, going to Mouse Memories Warehouse! Also want to squeeze in a visit to Celebration in the evening to see it snow on Main Street. Want to eat at Margaritaville (love Jimmy Buffet), McCormick and Schmicks (love seafood), Cheesecake Factory (love everything especially cheesecake), and Friendlys (love ice cream). There are also at least 4 other scrapbook stores in the area I would like to hit. Of course we are doing ICE and SeaWorld too. What are your ideas? Bigred
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Old 11-05-2007, 03:27 PM   #2
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Orlando has a great science museum -- very hands on from what I hear. DNiece wanted to take DD when we were there last time, but it didn't work in our schedule (closed Mondays or something)
If you're willing to drive -- my family considers Kennedy Space Center a must-do. Both my dad and DH's worked in aerospace engineering, so it's practically a pilgrimage for us.
On our next trip we plan to drive to Tampa for the aquarium and the Salvador Dali museum.
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My Previous Trips1974 w/mom and best friend -- 1976 w/parents -- 5/2002 ASMo DD's 1st visit -- 11/2002 ASMo w/hubby and the Princess (2 trips that year - what luck!) -- 2005 POP holiday trip -- 2006 ASMo w/ DH, DD, B and SIL for niece's graduation -- 2/2009 DLR -- 11/2009 ASMu -- 11/2010 POFQ & 12/2010 POP -- Non-Disney trips: too many to mention

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Old 11-05-2007, 07:21 PM   #3
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MOUSE MEMORIES WAREHOUSE?!?!?!?! I have not heard of this!!! Where is it?!?!?!
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Old 11-05-2007, 08:10 PM   #4
marianne e cornett
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I have directions! Address 1519 Damon Avenue, Kissimmee 12 miles east of WDW main gate on 192 go east on 192 past Medieval Times Dinner Show - after crossing Orange Blossom Trail (also known as Main Street) cross the RR tracks - see Pink Flamingo motel and Racetrack Gas station on left - turn left just before gas station onto Damon - cross Lehigh - it is the second building on the right - I think it should be fairly simple and pretty close. Good luck! I can't wait! Bigred
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Old 11-05-2007, 09:06 PM   #5
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Might be hokey, but we love Gatorland. Also, we went to the model train place one year. That was fun, too!
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Old 11-11-2007, 01:29 PM   #6
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Has anyone been to Medevil Times?? I've wondered about that...
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Old 11-11-2007, 10:43 PM   #7
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Our two favorite off-property places were Discovery Cove and Kennedy Space Center. We also had a great time on Boggy Creek Airboat Rides. That was DHs idea and I didn't really want to do it, but we had quite an experience! We still talk about the gators.
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Old 12-16-2007, 03:12 PM   #8
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We normally just stay at WDW while down in the Orlando area but, with all these great ideas, I think on our 2008 trip, we'll rent a car and venture off property to experience some of these interesting venues.

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