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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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It's a new excursion since our Western Caribbean cruise so I haven't had the chance to try it yet. From what I've read, the DCL tour includes a shuttle van which will take you to the depot, and then you can have the shuttle van take you elsewhere after your 3 hours are up.
If you book directly, you'd have to get to their location on your own. It seems be be located a few blocks from the pier so I don't know if that's such a big advantage to book thru DCL.
However, keep in mind that some excursions won't be available for 'outside' reservations directly with a provider on port days due to contracts they have in place with the cruise lines. I don't know if that's the case with this excursion but I thought it would be worth mentioning in case they are 'full' that day or can't make your reservation.
If you do this excursion, I'd love to know what you think. Those cars look so fun to drive!
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Lynn
Yes, I am a Disney Addict... and I'd rather be cruising!.
We are debating about booking this trip and it would be much cheaper to book on our own. However on the web site it doesn't mention anything about the GPS when renting the cars. We emailed asking if the GPS is included and haven't heard back from the company. I will post if I do hear.
We are debating about booking this trip and it would be much cheaper to book on our own. However on the web site it doesn't mention anything about the GPS when renting the cars. We emailed asking if the GPS is included and haven't heard back from the company. I will post if I do hear.
Rental Rates:
Two seater for 3 hours (includes 1 Ranger) $89.00
Four seater for 3 hours (includes 2 Rangers) $109.00
Six seater for 3 hours (includes 3 Rangers) $189.00
All Electric Car rentals include a parking pass for all city meters.
A 'Ranger' is what they call the GPS unit.
From DCL Key West excursion page...
Your 3-hour electric car rental gives you plenty of time to enjoy all of your favorite sites. At the end of your rental, you may choose to return directly to the ship, or have the shuttle van take you to any of the featured attractions for further exploration.
Port of Call: Key West Activity Type: Sightseeing Activity Level: Mild Duration: 3-3.5 hours Price: Adult: $179 (per car including up to 4 people)
Child: $N/A Ages: 8 And Up Additional Information
Electric Cars accommodate up to four passengers. Guests should reserve one ticket for up to four participants.
The rental agreement includes the requirement that each driver is insured under his or her own auto policies to the minimum required by Florida State Law. Guests must sign the rental agreement, including all terms and conditions.
Guests may purchase optional damage insurance for the electric car which covers all damage to the electric car. The cost of this insurance is $20.
Excursion includes three hours in the Electric Car. Admission to attractions and State park is at the Guest's choice and cost.
Wheelchairs need to be standard size and collapsible; no electric wheelchairs permitted. Wheelchairs may be left at the Electric Car depot; however, they cannot be taken along on the tour.
One Go GPS Ranger is provided per every two Guests.
Guests must carry their Go GPS Ranger with them when leaving the vehicle.
Guests are encouraged to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, cameras and backpacks.
Due to limited availability, Guests are encouraged to book early.
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Lynn
Yes, I am a Disney Addict... and I'd rather be cruising!.
Thanks Lynn,
The company we were looking at was Conch and there is no mention of Rangers on their site. A 4 hour rental is $120, 2 hours for $70. Plus they offer 1 hour free with a rental of 2 hours or more. So 3 hours is roughly the same amount of time as Disney allots for $100 less, however I think having the Ranger would add to the tour. Decisions, decisions...