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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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I know Disney is giving us a break on dining plans and not increasing our prices during summer on the plans themselves -
Question is...if we decide to forgo a plan and pay for it - do we pay the regular prices or the new seasonal pricing as All Ears has on their menus?
(can you tell Im comparing costs to see if I really "save" on the dining plan?)
Registered Message Board Members save 30% off PassPorter guidebooks! When you register you'll have access to a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of PassPorter books in our online store.
I wasn't aware of a break for DVC owners purchasing the dining plan. Can you elaborate? We have the TIW card. Yes, it takes a while to recoup your money, but we like to eat at signature restaurants. That helps us reach the $375 break even point a little quicker, plus TIW gives us a lot more flexibility than the dining plan. That is especially helpful when we have a full kitchen at the resort.
I wasn't aware of a break for DVC owners purchasing the dining plan. Can you elaborate? We have the TIW card. Yes, it takes a while to recoup your money, but we like to eat at signature restaurants. That helps us reach the $375 break even point a little quicker, plus TIW gives us a lot more flexibility than the dining plan. That is especially helpful when we have a full kitchen at the resort.
It isnt much of a break - This is the first year Disney is increasing plan rates and meal rates for summer. Disney has told DVC that we will pay the regular plan rate.
Example pg 219 Passporter 2010:
Basic Dining Plan: 41.99 adult vs. 47.99 adult during summer
My question is whether we will get same break when buying meals ie Tusker House Lunch 20.23 adult vs. 24.49 adult during summer.......
I rather doubt it but I thought Id ask.....
TIW is another option...im trying to make an excel program to help figure it out...TIW basically pays an 18% tip and gives you a savings of 2%.....I havent been sold on it yet, but I have very limited experience with it.
Thanks!
Registered Message Board Members save 30% off PassPorter guidebooks! When you register you'll have access to a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of PassPorter books in our online store.
You're talking about out of pocket expenses vs the dining plan? I think the discount, or savings, will only apply to the plan, not individual meals. You still will have the opportunity to use whatever DVC discounts might be available at that time on meals (usually 10% on some lunches, etc.)
Frankly, I'm surprised that DVC is holding the line on the DDP prices, too.
I don't know for sure, but I really doubt simply being a DVC member would let you avoid seasonal pricing. As Sue said above, some restaurants do give a discount to DVC members, but most buffets do not. There's a list on the DVC member website.
The Tables in Wonderland card gives a 2% discount only if you would otherwise tip nothing. If you would normally tip 18%, it really is a 20% discount; if you'd normally tip 15%, it's still about a 15% discount. So, if you have an annual pass and would spend at least $375 at 18% tip, or slightly more with a lower tip, it's a good deal.
DW and I have used the TiW card for many years. Last year we tried the dinning plan. Even though we DID save $$, I dont think we would do it again. With the way we eat, we can save more $$ using the TiW card. Typically we eat apps, not desserts which are included in the DDP, and we usually have a cocktail too. Using the TiW we get 20% off the entire bill, then they add in an automatic 18% gratuity. So you really get the tip paid and 2% off the meal. The card is good for one year, so you can plan your trips to get 2 uses out of it. You will need to spend $375 to have the card pay for its initial $75 cost. Anything over that is
If you are the type of person who rarely orders apps and alcohol then the DDP may be a better deal, otherwise TiW can save you a ton too.
Another note...to get the maximum value out of the DDP you "should" eat mostly dinners and try to order the most expensive thing on the menu. With the TiW you get the same 20% when eating breakfast,lunch or dinner, so you can save even more $$ by eating table service lunches.
DW and I have used the TiW card for many years. Last year we tried the dinning plan. Even though we DID save $$, I dont think we would do it again. With the way we eat, we can save more $$ using the TiW card. Typically we eat apps, not desserts which are included in the DDP, and we usually have a cocktail too. Using the TiW we get 20% off the entire bill, then they add in an automatic 18% gratuity. So you really get the tip paid and 2% off the meal. The card is good for one year, so you can plan your trips to get 2 uses out of it. You will need to spend $375 to have the card pay for its initial $75 cost. Anything over that is
If you are the type of person who rarely orders apps and alcohol then the DDP may be a better deal, otherwise TiW can save you a ton too.
Another note...to get the maximum value out of the DDP you "should" eat mostly dinners and try to order the most expensive thing on the menu. With the TiW you get the same 20% when eating breakfast,lunch or dinner, so you can save even more $$ by eating table service lunches.
We find the TiW card far more practical for us. We aren't big fans of counter service; we eat primarily TS meals and a few buffets. Since we usually travel with one of our kids and their family, the card pays for itself quickly. We also like appetizers with our meals as well as an adult beverage (me) or two..or...
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Michele
Second star to the right and straight on until morning!
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