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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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 are planning a trip along the North Atlantic Coast. The plan is to start in Bar Harbor, Maine and work our way down to Wildwood, New Jersey. However, I don't have any idea of what to do between the two places. I have been to this area once before, and I remember New Hampshire as being one long boring drive. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to see and do ? I am not a big city person, so I would like to avoid Boston if possible. Help!
Wow that sounds like a fun trip. Sorry I am not sure what to do between the two places but if you need any info on Wildwood, Atlantic City or Ocean City let me know we go almost every year.
If you have the time, you could travel down Route 1-A, the scenic seacoast route. The entire Maine coast in beautiful, spotted with many small towns and more popular tourist towns.
If you stay on the coast, New Hampshire has only 12 miles of coastline so you won't be able to get too bored. And within those twelve miles, you could stop off at Portsmouth which has a lovely historic area, Strawberry Banke as well as an busy arts scene with all kinds of performing and visual arts attractions in the summer. Just south of Portsmouth is Rye and Odiorne Point State Park, which has a nature center and offers activities for children. You continue on to Hampton and Hampton Beach, a touristy beach with a boardwalk and entertainment.
The North Shore of Massachusetts has Salisbury BEach, Plum Island and Newburyport, Gloucester, Rockport and Marblehead. Salem, Ma is also in the area if you leave Rte 1, 1-A.
If you don't want to go into Boston (and it is a great city), head down to Plymouth and Plimouth Plantation and then spend a little time on the Cape. You can go to the islands-Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket -if you have time. We have often spent a week or more at the Cape on repeated visits and still manage to find lots to do.
Heading off the Cape, go to Newport, Rhode Island, then head to the south shore beaches-lots of them with all different personalities. Westerly, just before you head to Connecticut, is a great little town with plenty to do.
I'll let someone else do the Connecticut Shore Line.
If you do decide to venture away from the NH shoreline, you'll find a lot to do- Mountains, parks, museums, even a couple of small "theme parks."
I would check out the NH, Maine and Massachusetts state tourism sites. You'll get lots of ideas.
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If you have the time, you could travel down Route 1-A, the scenic seacoast route. The entire Maine coast in beautiful, spotted with many small towns and more popular tourist towns.
If you stay on the coast, New Hampshire has only 12 miles of coastline so you won't be able to get too bored. And within those twelve miles, you could stop off at Portsmouth which has a lovely historic area, Strawberry Banke as well as an busy arts scene with all kinds of performing and visual arts attractions in the summer. Just south of Portsmouth is Rye and Odiorne Point State Park, which has a nature center and offers activities for children. You continue on to Hampton and Hampton Beach, a touristy beach with a boardwalk and entertainment.
The North Shore of Massachusetts has Salisbury BEach, Plum Island and Newburyport, Gloucester, Rockport and Marblehead. Salem, Ma is also in the area if you leave Rte 1, 1-A.
If you don't want to go into Boston (and it is a great city), head down to Plymouth and Plimouth Plantation and then spend a little time on the Cape. You can go to the islands-Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket -if you have time. We have often spent a week or more at the Cape on repeated visits and still manage to find lots to do.
Heading off the Cape, go to Newport, Rhode Island, then head to the south shore beaches-lots of them with all different personalities. Westerly, just before you head to Connecticut, is a great little town with plenty to do.
I'll let someone else do the Connecticut Shore Line.
If you do decide to venture away from the NH shoreline, you'll find a lot to do- Mountains, parks, museums, even a couple of small "theme parks."
I would check out the NH, Maine and Massachusetts state tourism sites. You'll get lots of ideas.
Diane
I could not have said it better. NE coast is just beautiful.
Coming from Bar Harbor - you probably wouldn't be headed through NH, with the exception of the seacoast, which is quite short, as mentioned above.
NE has so many wonderful things to see and do, even without the city of Boston - which is quite easy to negotiate - and there is so much history here.
It would be helpful to know what time of year you are looking at, and the type of activities you enjoy - along with the ages of your family.
In Maine - you've got the beautiful mountains and beaches - fabulous seafood, etc. In NH - if you drive from Bar Harbor through Maine - you'll come out in the North Conway area - lots of fun places to ski in the winter, hike in the summer, shop all year round, kayak/canoe in the spring or summer. If you've got young children, Storyland and Santa's Village are wonderful, family friendly theme parks. As mentioned above, if you head down Rt 1 in Maine, you'll come into NH at Portsmouth - lots of fun history, and the beaches at Rye and Hampton are fabulous. Prescott Park in Portsmouth offers live, open air theater on summer evenings - and there are all kinds of wonderful dining opportunities.
I'm not as familiar with the southern part of NE - but I'm sure some of our CT Passporters will fill you in.
My daughter is dying for us to take a trip into NYC - she wants to take in a Broadway show or two - see the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, and of course - shop!!! We're looking into that for this spring or summer.
Don't know when you've planned to do this, but if the weather is nice I would definitely spend some time walking around downtown Portsmouth, NH. Quaint cobblestone, funky shops, and good restaurants. If you like beer, there is Portsmouth Brewery and Smuttynose Brewing Co., both of which offer tours. Enjoy your trip!
If you're going to Wildwood, I wouldn't bother with other NJ boardwalks. Nothing compares to Wildwood's 2 miles of boardwalk. There's a great aquarium in Camden, NJ not too far from Wildwood and the amazing Cape May County Park and Zoo just 11 minutes from Wildwood's Rio Grande Ave.
In Wildwood, make time for Sunset Cinema's Movies on the Beach at least one night of your stay. (Hit the early showing so you can run to the potties right after the show before they lock up the Convention Center for the night. Otherwise, it's a long, uncomfortable piddle-dance-run to the nearest open restroom. ) You can save a few dollars by bringing your own comfortable camp chairs instead of renting them. But skip the aquarium on the boardwalk. It's a sad, run-down place and a waste of $30.
On your first day in town, track down Bonelli's Deli and get thyself the best hoagie in southern NJ! If you like lighthouses, you're in for a treat as there are two nearby - Hereford Inlet Lighthouse and Cape May's Lighthouse. Hereford Inlet Lighthouse has a gorgeous butterfly/wildflower garden in June and July.
Some of our other favorite Wildwood haunts:
Duffer's for giant sundaes, incredible sandwiches, kids' meals served on frisbees, and mini golf! Sorry, but this is the link to their website - it's just the message board software keeps converting the URL to whatever shortcut their web admin named their main page : index
Oh, I also wrote a TR a while back about our Father's Day weekend trip to Wildwood in 2007 that you might enjoy. We're heading back with my dad and some friends this year. Maybe we'll see you there! Tram-itized in Wildwood - Our Father's Day Jersey Shore Getaway - Updated 7/7 (I never did get around to adding the details of our last day to my TR, but you aren't missing much. )
We love the Jersey shore. We usually stay in Stone Harbor or Avalon cause it's not as busy. From there it's only a 15 minute drive to Wildwood. We spend one morning in Wildwood riding bikes on the boardwalk. Then we spend one evening there just hanging out "wa wa watch the tram please", you'll know what that means when you get there. Check out Uncle Bill's Pancake house. There are a couple locations from Ocean City down to Stone Harbor. We like the Captain's Table in Wildwood for dinner and they have great early bird specials. If you stop in Ocean City, there's a fantastic mexican place called Rojo's. My sister is friend's with the owner, actually used to be her roommate, so tell them Audrey sent you! Def check out the Cape May County Zoo. It's just a donation to get in and it's fantastic. Cape May also has some beautiful historic houses and great history. There's some walking tours of these houses including one that talks about which ones are "haunted". It's a lot of fun. What a great trip! Wish I could offer some advice on the northern states but unfortunately we just know the jersey shore. Have a blast!
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Just found this post. I'm one of the CT Passporters who should be chiming in
The dates of your visit will make a big difference. I am going to assume summer. Here's a very random, stream of consciousness list of thoughts. Most places you can check out on-line.
1. Reconsider skipping Boston. Really. It is a very cool place and there are a ton of things to do. I would consider a Trolley tour, particularly fun is the Boston Duck Tour.
2. Westerly, RI has some terrific beaches (Misquamicut State Beach being the most popular.)
3. If you are following the coast, Mystic, CT is a must stop. Mystic Aquarium is excellent.
4. You might not want to follow the coast all the way thru MA and CT. (And a tip....if you are thinking of summer, Cape Cod is very crowded and expensive.)
5. Cool places to visit with kids Rodger Williams Zoo (Providence, RI), Children's Museum in Providence, Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA, Lake Compounce Amusement Park in Bristol, CT, new Science Center of CT in Hartford (not yet open), minor league baseball games. In CT we have the (Norwich) CT Defenders and New Britian Rock Cats.
This is just off of the top of my head...no where near a comprehensive list.
I agree with Marie. It would help to have an idea of the time of your visit and the kinds of activities you are looking for. Museums? Historic sites? Beaches? State Parks? Amusement Parks?
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) You can save a few dollars by bringing your own comfortable camp chairs instead of renting them. But skip the aquarium on the boardwalk. It's a sad, run-down place and a waste of $30. 
If you like lighthouses, you're in for a treat as there are two nearby - Hereford Inlet Lighthouse and Cape May's Lighthouse. Hereford Inlet Lighthouse has a gorgeous butterfly/wildflower garden in June and July. 
: 
Check out Uncle Bill's Pancake house. There are a couple locations from Ocean City down to Stone Harbor. We like the Captain's Table in Wildwood for dinner and they have great early bird specials. If you stop in Ocean City, there's a fantastic mexican place called Rojo's. My sister is friend's with the owner, actually used to be her roommate, so tell them Audrey sent you! Def check out the Cape May County Zoo. It's just a donation to get in and it's fantastic. Cape May also has some beautiful historic houses and great history. There's some walking tours of these houses including one that talks about which ones are "haunted". It's a lot of fun. What a great trip! Wish I could offer some advice on the northern states but unfortunately we just know the jersey shore. Have a blast!
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