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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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're going to WDW July 21, and I am secretly worried that the crowds and heat will put a damper on our fun. Does anyone have experience in visiting in July that can give me some info?
First MichelleC I don't think that I've welcomed you to the boards, so welcome [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
I have never been to WDW in July but we were there last week when they had record tieing or record breaking temps along with some humidity (I think the hottest day was 96). We spent lots of time at the pool. Somedays we went to the parks, came back for a swim and then headed out again later in the day. Of course in July you should be lucky enough to have the parks have extended hours so can really take advantage of a mid-day break. Also be sure to drink lots and lots of fluids (mainly water or Powerade/Gatorade). Try doing a lot of the air conditioned rides/shows. When we needed cooling off at MK, we ended up on the TTA (lots of shade), the HM, the Pirates, and the Country Bears.
I've been there in July more than once and yes it is hot and the crowds are big. But it's never put a damper on my trip at all. There are so many places to cool off at that the heat is managable. The crowds are large, but fast pass has helped. I guess for me the heat and crowds don't matter because I love Disney so much and the summer months are the only months I can go. I think you will have a great time despite the heat and crowds. I will also be there at the same time!
Welcome, fellow Georgian!
We went last July 4th week. I feel like if we could handle those crowds, we can handle any other time! Really, the crowds weren't as bad as we thought and you're going after that, so it shouldn't be too bad.
As for the heat-yes, it's hot! The suggestions I have would be lots of air conditioned places, lots of water, and breaks! I agree that it really doesn't bother you too much when you think about the fact that you're at Disney! I also agree that the TTA is the best thing to do when you need a cool, relaxing break!
I have been in July the last three times I went to WDW. Yes, there are crowds, and yes, it is hot. But in all honestly I can't imagine going when there aren't crowds and when it's not hot...wouldn't seem like Disney! Just make sure you take breaks and drink water otherwise you will get cranky.
We were there for the week of the 4th last year too. With the exception of the crowds the afternoon of the 4th at MK it was not that bad. Of course in central TX 96 would be considered a cold snap. We generally hit the parks shortly after the ropes dropped, headed back to the hotel around 2 for a dip and a nap, then back to the parks around 5.
We have been in late June to Disney a couple of times in years past. It is indeed hot, but obviously you'll dress for hot outdoor weather (bring sunscreen if you are sensitive to the sun!) Bring bottled water and keep yourself hydrated - that is key! Hop on Splash Mountain and Kali River Rapids for a nice soaking! And use Fastpass to avoid some of the lines. Crowds certainly are big, but we have found it manageable. The mid-day break is nice if you are staying onsite - nothing like heading to the pool and then freshening up and heading back to the night life at the parks!
You'll do fine - just go with the flow and recognize that there are some things that you just cannot control! ENJOY! And also welcome!!! [img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img] Where are you staying?!?
Our usual time to visit is in July, in fact our we'll be there when you are. My biggest advice is hit the parks early, take a relaxing break at your resort in the afternoon and head back to the parks after 4. Also, bring a small umbrella and rain ponchos for your crew because ti rains most afternoons in July. The showers will cool things off for the evening!
Look for us, we'll have our yellow Passporter nametags.
Thanks for all the info, I feel better now. We're actually taking a different kind of "Disney" vacation. We've been the last 2 falls in a row to the parks. This July, we want to relax and enjoy the pools and some of the other amenities we didn't have time to enjoy before! We'll probably hit one Disney park and Universal. Thinking about doing a water park too. All of our friends think we're crazy for going back so much, but we just like this place! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]
We will also be there in July, arriving on the 22nd. The only time we really can go is in the summer. We were there last July and as everyone else pointed out, it is hot and crowded but we always have a great time. Come prepared, we bring a misting fan/water bottle and sunscreen and don't forget ponchos because it tends to rain alot in July, but it doesn't seem to stick around for very long. We don't really spend long stretches of time outside, make sure to take breaks on airconditioned rides. We also have sit down meals so we have a chance to relax. Last year we didn't go back to our room for a midday break but I think that we will this time. Have a great trip, maybe I'll see you there!!!
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