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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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So many options, limited budget...I am so confused!
Planning to sail July 2013, but pricing isn't up yet. So, I'm using July 2011/2012 dates to try to form a budget. Then it hits me that there must be some sort of land & sea packages...
On top of it all my hubby throws a wrench into the planning by suggesting we fly to Vegas to see family and drive from there to Disneyland. We could get a nicer hotel, etc.
Does anyone know generally when 2013 prices for cruises and hotels become available? Do you think a travel agent is the way to go? UGH!
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~Joby/Lil~Me stealing Capt. Jack Sparrow's treasure!
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There are no longer "Land/Sea Packages." What DCL is now offering are "cruise add-ons." Basically, you can book non-discounted rooms at WDW and Disneyland through the cruise line, with ground transportation. In general, you're much better off booking the cruise and land portions separately. You can still book ground transfers from DCL if you wish. What you gain is the ability to grab hotel discounts. DCL never has offered discounted hotel rooms.
Usually, cruise rates come out twice a year. The first half of 2013 will likely be announced this fall - late September/early October, but summer rates may not be announced until late winter 2012 (maybe March).
Rates for WDW for 2013 will be announced around August 2012. Before then you can make a reservation at the old rate with the understanding that your rate will be increased when the new rates are announced.
A knowledgeable Disney-specialist travel agent can be a big help. They can monitor rates and availability so you don't miss out on opportunities. Here at PassPorter we have long, excellent experience with both MouseEarVacations (the sponsor of this cruising forum) and with MouseFan Travel, which is also a longtime PassPorter sponsor. There are individual agents on these boards from many other agencies, many with excellent reputations. The hardest part may be choosing among them.
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Co-Author, PassPorter's Walt Disney World, PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line, and PassPorter's Disneyland and Southern California Attractions
Hi Lilianna -
The traditional Land/Sea is no longer - because Disney World puts their rooms on sale so much its better to book the Cruise separate from Disney World. Dave is right August is the month lately for Disney to release new pricing and dates. We have a "Future Travel" folder for clients that are looking for future dates and email you when they are out. Happy to answer any questions you have
If you are confused you have come to the right place! These boards are full of knowledgeable disney travelers and Disney travel agents! If you are piecing together a trip with land and sea you should seriously consider a travel agent, we do all the work and you have all the fun! Particularly if you are on a budget agents services are always free and if you book with a good agency we will watch your reservation for you and keep an eye out for upcoming rates, special promotions, etc. A TA is the way to go!
Good luck planning it all out to you liking and budget!! I have always wanted to go on the cruise... maybe one day I can get my dh to cave on this one!