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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.
To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.
If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.
I have been talked into staying our last 2 nights in Orlando at Universal by my 13yo son. He's always wanted to see US, so we will spend our first 5 nights at Disney BC, then our last 2 nights at Universal. I am trying to decide btwn Hard Rock hotel and Portofino Bay hotel. Also, I was thinking of adding club level for access to breakfast and drinks/pop. Don't know if that would be worth the extra cost or not. Are there good places for breakfast at Universal?? If you have tried either hotel, which did you like best??? I am partial to PBH as it looks so relaxing and has a beautiful Italy flair. Of course, my son would probably be partial to HRH due to the rock theme. Trip Advisor seems to give better reviews for PBH. I'd like a great pool slide too, so that is another consideration. What are your recommendations??? Thanks my PP friends for your help!!! I am clueless about all things Universal!
__________________
Disney Trips: First Disney Trip, Disneyland with my DH (then DBF) August, 1990 | January 15-23, 2008 AKL CL Celebrating DH leave from Afghanistan | Sept 1-12, 2009 - Storming the World with Friends, AKL CL/ Free Dining| FEB 5-13, 2011 BC CL GV/HRH CL @ US/IOA| Next Trip: Sept 28 - Oct 4, 2012 POLY GV CL/ Oct 4-7, 2012 HRH Club at US/IOA Mom, Sons and BFF do FD, first MNSSHP & F&W
We stayed at the Hard Rock last month (see my trip report in this forum - it has pictures). I have never stayed at PBH, but I can tell you that everyone in my family loved the Hard Rock. I have 2 sons (11 and 6) and they loved the hotel and the pool. The pool has music piped in underwater, and it has a really neat slide (sorry, I didn't get a picture of it). Plus, it is the closest to the parks, which made for a quick and easy walk. I also mentioned places in my TR where we got breakfast in the parks. I don't have anything negative to say about the hotel - only lots of positives! As for Club Level, I didn't try it there, but I have never found it to be worth the cost. For you in particular, with 2 people, you would have to be in the lounge all day every day eating and drinking, and even then, I doubt you would get your money's worth (just my opinion). We loved Universal lots more than I thought we would - I hope you do, too!
Good morning! We are also staying at the HRH the last 3 nights of our trip. We did get club level. I always stay club level in Disney and I am hoping I will get the same treatment there. My children are 10 and 7 so my 10 year old wanted to go to Universal. I think when it comes to staying club level anywhere you are paying for the service they provide to you and your family.
Registered Message Board Members Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
I've never stayed at PBH, but I have stayed at HRH a couple times - once in the Club Level. With a 13 yo son, I'd stay at HRH. And I'd skip the Club Level unless you find an amazing bargain or you plan to be there instead of in the parks. They have a decent breakfast (fresh fruit, cereal, pastries, juice, coffee/tea which was replenished promptly - no empty trays. I don't remember eggs or meat or anything), but not enough to warrant Club Level prices. I think we were allowed to take water from the Club Room for the parks, but not enough to warrant Club Level prices. The evening offering with wine/beer and some appetizers was nice but so crowded that you could barely move, let alone get a glass of wine and a plate with cheese, crackers and a couple grapes; and it took time away from the parks. There was a small TV room for the kids - I think they had video games (didn't really pay attention, I was too busy trying to get through the throng to get my wine! ) The people working there were pleasant but you could tell they were overwhelmed with the crowds. The Club Level rooms were a little nicer than the "regular" rooms, but the big difference was there was an extra sink, a couple bathrobes and a bathroom scale. The regular rooms are plenty nice enough - 5 stars. Give it a try if you like, but I personally would never splurge on Club Level at HRH again.
HRH has a nice restaurant - The Kitchen - for breakfast. The Universal hotels all have a breakfast buffet at their restaurants, but bring your wallet! I found ordering a la carte from the menu was actually a better deal. There's also a small ice cream place that serves Starbucks (Emilio's, I think it's called). There are a couple restaurants near the entrances just inside the parks that also serve breakfast food. Mostly pastries and coffee/juices.
Well....I decided it will be PBH with Club Level. Something about the beauty of that hotel, and the tranquil Italian theme....it looks amazing! We are excited!!
__________________
Disney Trips: First Disney Trip, Disneyland with my DH (then DBF) August, 1990 | January 15-23, 2008 AKL CL Celebrating DH leave from Afghanistan | Sept 1-12, 2009 - Storming the World with Friends, AKL CL/ Free Dining| FEB 5-13, 2011 BC CL GV/HRH CL @ US/IOA| Next Trip: Sept 28 - Oct 4, 2012 POLY GV CL/ Oct 4-7, 2012 HRH Club at US/IOA Mom, Sons and BFF do FD, first MNSSHP & F&W
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.
We stayed at PBH last December and it was very, very nice, and the beds...oh my! I wanted to take one home with me. I will say, they were a bit smaller than DW's rooms, but still very comfortable. The front of line passes is a perk that will keep us staying on property from now on!
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
I love the PBH. It is very tranquil and quite beautiful. I have been very happy with the 2 Universal hotels where we've stayed. I have had excellent customer service at both and the staff went above and beyond what they needed to do whter it was sending cookies and milk to DD for her birthday or sending up a bag of hand cream when I asked if they had it in the gift shop.
I think all the rooms are nicely decorated and a little more sophisticated than Disney. I'm not sure where Brenda stayed at WDW, but the rooms at the Royal Pacific are about the same size as the WL and AKL and PBH rooms are probably comparable to the CR.
About This Page: 
Which onsite hotel???
| FEB 5-13, 2011 BC CL GV/HRH CL @ US/IOA| Next Trip: Sept 28 - Oct 4, 2012 POLY GV CL/ Oct 4-7, 2012 HRH Club at US/IOA Mom, Sons and BFF do FD, first MNSSHP & F&W 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
Michelle - with my step sisters!
) The people working there were pleasant but you could tell they were overwhelmed with the crowds. The Club Level rooms were a little nicer than the "regular" rooms, but the big difference was there was an extra sink, a couple bathrobes and a bathroom scale. The regular rooms are plenty nice enough - 5 stars. Give it a try if you like, but I personally would never splurge on Club Level at HRH again.
Brenda
Linear Mode
