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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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We reserved a spot for our family trip (4 of us) in August. I figured it would be worth the money for the gauranteed 2 seats and shade under the umbrella. Just wondering if anyone has tried it out yet.
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I haven't tried it out yet, but I reserved it for our trip in September! If you need pictures, I can post some I found on a message here a few months ago.
I think it will be well worth it. No fighting for a chair, no putting your drink in the sand, and no one moving your stuff so they can steal your seat!
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We tried out Getaway Glen in August so I'm back to report about it as I said I would.
When we booked the cost was $40, but the price has already gone up to $50 (plus tax).
We got 2 lounge chairs, 2 small chairs which were great for the kids, a small table, an umbrella and 4 towels.
The area wasn't quite as shady as I had hoped as we are a very fair family. It was great to have our own space to keep our things and not have to worry about it. The kids were able to eat at the table while my DH and I ate sitting on the lounge chairs. We were close to food and a small bathroom. There were lots of spaces. They were numbered. We were assigned the spot right next to the area's entrance. When we checked in the CM said they only had booked a few for the day so if we wanted a different spot just let her know. We did choose a different spot because we didn't want to be on the walkway. It was very quiet and a nice spot for some down time. I will say if it was full, I think we would have felt cramped because there was very little space in between each area. We were glad we had reserved this. Would we do it again? Yes, if there was enough money in the budget.
Last edited by home4us123; 09-14-2010 at 11:17 AM..
Reason: fp159
We did Typhoon Lagoon on Saturday (September 11th), and loved Getaway Glen!
Upon arrival, we had to go to High 'N Dry Towel Rentals to sign in. They let you pick your chair number by showing you a map of where they sit within the area. You are also given a numbered bracelet, which gives you access to the gated area.
There were two of us, and we got two lounge chairs, 2 smaller beach-type chairs, a small glass table, and 2 rental towels. It's very close to everything (Leaning Palms, bathrooms, refill stations and has a very convenient entrance to the Lazy River).
I do agree with the above poster that it should have more shade available. I guess we have to remember that it was once a volleyball area (the poles that held the nets are still visible), so there aren't many trees in the middle.
Overall, I would do it again in a heartbeat - and have already reserved one for my October trip.
I intend to do a trip report soon, which will have some pics of this area too.
Is this only offered when you arrive..? I heard about something that was offered at the waterpark but I heard it was $250 or something like that. X_X;
I reserved and paid for it in advance, but you can also rent them on the same day, by going to High 'N Dry Towel Rentals. When we went, there were only two families renting the cabanas, and 2 other families renting the smaller two-seaters.
Disney doesn't seem to advertise the smaller spaces. As a matter of fact, the CM that helped me with the reservation was very unfamiliar with it - and I was her first reservation.
The smaller ones are not under a cabana roof. But, they do each have their own umbrella, a little glass table - so your drink isn't sitting in the sand - 2 adjustable lounge chairs, and 2 rental towels... plus 2 smaller beach-style chairs.
It's nice because no one will move your stuff to sit down. The spaces are numbered, and is reserved for you for the whole day.
It's also more quiet back there, which is nice if you like to relax, instead of people walking past all the time - kicking up sand and running into your stuff.
I'm not sure what they cost now, but it was about $43.00 after tax when I reserved them months ago. A poster above mentioned that they went up to $50 now...
Does anyone have a map or pictures of what these areas look like, or where they are located? Website maybe? We are going in 2 weeks with 4 adults, and 3 kids. My DD will just be turning 3 so I would hope this might be close to the kiddie area.
Thanks so much.
This is an older map, but if you look on the left of the map (Marked "C"), you will see a volleyball net. They took that net out and that's where Getaway Glen is.
Just above it on the map is a section marked "D"... that's where the kid's area is.
You might want to look into getting a cabana for that many people. I think it holds up to 7, and you get a few extras... let me look at my notes and I'll get back to you!
OK! I found this info on TheMouseForLess.com site:
Premium Spaces and Rentals
Tired of fighting for spaces at the water parks? Guests to Typhoon Lagoon may reserve either the Getaway Glen Umbrellas or the Beachcomber Shacks up to 180 days in advance and have their space waiting for them no matter what time they arrive at the water park. Getaway Glen Umbrellas
Premium beach chair spaces are available for rent up to 180 days in advance. Getaway Glen Umbrellas include 2 lounge chairs, an umbrella, a cocktail table and 4 towels. If you did not make prior arrangements, you can stop at High n Dry Rentals to check same-day availability. The cost, as of 2010 is $40.00 per day plus tax. Reservations can be made through Disney Recreation at (407) WDW-PLAY.
Beachcomber Shacks
Premium reserved spaces are available for rent up to 180 days in advance. Beachcomber Shacks include locker, all-day drink mugs, cooler with bottled water, upgraded lounge furniture, service of an attendant and towels. The attendant will be able to assist you with food orders (purchased at an additional cost) or any suggestions to enjoy your day to the fullest at Typhoon Lagoon. The cost, as of 2010 is $250.00 plus tax per day for regular and peak season, $150 plus tax per day for low season. Reservations can be made through Disney Recreations at (407) WDW-PLAY.
So, it looks like you get a lot more benefit from renting a Beachcomber Shack! You'd each get a refillable mug, towels, waters, a cooler to use, an attendant... sign me up!