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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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My DD 7 really wants to go to BBB but i don't know which option to go for. Ideally she wants the full package, but i'm having secong thoughts about the heat. (we're from the UK so aug/sept in orlando will be a total shock weather wise for us!!!). I know she wants to get an outfit of some sorts but what would be the best way to go about it? Should we go basic and buy an outfit in the park to take with us or it it better value to go the whole hog? Does anyone know what is included costume wise in the full package???
there are lots of costumes available in the stores however, she is only young once, and she shouldn't be made to compromise on this -- what is another 100.00 ?
My kids actually liked the disney princess nighties and chose on their own to use them -- they were much lighter for the heat -- however, none of the kids I saw transformed into princesses seemed to mind one little bit -- go figure -- it must be something about being a princess
keep in mind you can buy all of the elements separately and potentially even get a discount on merchandise with a Disney Visa discount and the castle package includes prints from the BBB photo session but the photo session is available to everyone free of charge with the photos going on to photopass.
Registered Message Board Members save 30% off PassPorter guidebooks! When you register you'll have access to a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of PassPorter books in our online store.
i'm pleased to say that we got our appointment and we're going the whole hog! I figured that at the end of the day - part of the fun of it would be choosing the outfit there! Can't wait!
We did it back in January with my then 6 year old. At first I was undecided as to what I wanted but at the time my DD was a crazy Hannah Montana freak... (luckily, not so much now) We did the "Hannah Montana Experience"and it was a hoot! Full on costume, wig, mic, etc and a photo shoot. We had the best time and it was worth every penny! Enjoy!
We went with the Crown Package. We brought the dress with us, so glad because 2 hrs later dress was off and shoved in the bottom of the stroller. We went in September as well so i would bring a change of clothes just in case. (gets rather sticky) Either way you go it will be a magical moment for all.
We go for the full package when we do it. I just like for them to get to have the full experience,but that is just me. Keep change of clothes and shoes with you, b/c there is no telling how long that dress will stay on!
Go all the way...DEFINATELY! Part of the fun is picking out the costume at the BBB. It gets hung on a special hanger while awaiting "it's princess"
My Daughter had a BBB makeover on one of our September trips-it was ridiculously hot....she never seemed to notice. The costumes are not very heavy at all, but I think the loads of attention passerbys gave her really made her feel so special.
We did the package that includes the hair, make-up and nails, we brought the dress from home. It was easier for us because we drove + we left the day after Halloween and she wore it for that.
It was definitly one of the highlights of the trip, the fairty Godmothers really go above and beyond to make them feel like a princess. I think it's also worth the money ($50-55) with all the stuff they give you take home. And the castmembers and also the other guests make them feel so special.
We also got our son a cool dude, this way he felt special too and how could you go wrong for $10!
Have fun and I'm sure you'll enjoy every moment!
We did the crown package, but we are doing the whole thing next time because we are going to MNSSHP after & its her costume. She wore the outfit until bed, but she doent want her hair done again She is VERY tenderheaded. But a must do no matter which you choose