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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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A Coast to Coast Christmas Phase One, Walt Disney World December 1 – 6, 2011, Wilderness Lodge
Visiting Disney at Christmas time is one of my very favorite things. In fact, I consider it a “must do.” Ever since my very first visit during the holiday season, back in 2005, it’s been a tradition for me to go to WDW. But this year, I decided I wanted to see what Disneyland was like at Christmas. One problem: I didn’t want to give up my trip to WDW. So what’s the solution? Come on, like you don’t know. This is me we’re talking about!
So now I had to choose dates for two Disney vacations. Luckily, that part was fairly easy. One day my BFF, Eileen (Caldercup) sent me a message that a CLQ trip was being planned, my presence was required and the dates were not negotiable. Or something like that. Well then, that takes care of that! I didn’t have to think any longer about when to go to WDW. In fact, I didn’t do a thing in the planning of the trip. My job was just to show up.
That left me with plenty of time to plan for my very first trip to Disneyland during the Christmas season. I wanted to visit before Christmas and be home to celebrate with my family, and I wanted some time at home leading up to Christmas, so I decided to choose December 17 – 21. I also invited my BFF Karen (zacksmom_1993) to join me, being that she lives in California and will be celebrating her 40th birthday on December 20, it was a no brainer.
I’m going to stop here (momentarily). Obviously, with one WDW trip and one DL trip, I need to post each in the appropriate spot. If you’re going to read along with both of them, and I hope you will, you don’t want to read my ramblings more than once (unless you’re crazy), so what I’ve posted so far is the same in both. The next post will be specific to the trip it’s in. Got it? I feel like that was a lot more complicated than I meant it to be. Don’t go away!
Last edited by PrincessSharon; 12-14-2011 at 03:15 PM..
Most of the planning was done by others, so I only had to book my airfare. I went with my customary first flight in, last flight out. After bouncing around a few ideas, it was decided that we would stay at the Wilderness Lodge. I was happy with that, because it’s especially beautiful at Christmas. Also, we’d be staying Club Level, which is a very good thing. Dawn (DawnDenise) served us well as our travel agent.
Before I go further, I suppose I should introduce the cast of characters. First, there’s the CLQ, which stands for the Crazy Lady Quartet. Why? Well, because we’re crazy for Disney, we are ladies most of the time – I make no promises once you get one or two drinks into Eileen and there are four of us. Clever, huh?
Here’s a photo of us the last time we were all together before this trip that I totally stole from Jill
We’ve been around the boards for a while now, but just in case, from left to right we are Karen (zacksmom_1993), Jillybean (Jill), Eileen (Caldercup), and me
There will be other PassPorter friends who will be hanging with us, too. The dynamic duo well, the other dynamic duo of Bob &Larry, staying at the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge. Also in our motley crew is JoanW, who will be making appearances whenever she ditches the rest of her traveling party (or when we kidnap her ). I’ll say that anyone not writing their own TR (slackers ) can feel free to add in their two cents here.
We also met a few PassPorters in the parks by chance (and sometimes not by chance), some of them more than once! Shoutouts to lindawdw, ilovedisneyO_O brandy_mel, Wendyismyname and Two4Disney.
Karen made most of the plans, except for one notable exception, which I’ll get to in the first installment. We had some great meals in addition to our good times (and I’m sure that’s no surprise to anyone). I was particularly excited about a new venue to me, Citricos (and the chef’s table to boot ). You’ll hear all about the fun we had in just a bit!
__________________
Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
I had a 7:00 flight, so I knew it was to be an early morning. I have a really snazzy alarm clock that I adore. I can dock my iPod in it (and wake up to my iPod), it sets itself so I never have to worry about Daylight Savings, it shines the time on the ceiling, and I never have to remember to turn it on on Sunday nights, because it has weekday/weekend/every day modes. It has a second alarm setting which I set to go off at 4:30 a.m. (ouch). You know this is going somewhere right? Well, I woke up on my own at 4:15, so I figured I’d go ahead and start getting ready. At about 4:50, I realized that my clock hadn’t gone off. I checked it and discovered that I was the dummy and not the clock. I’d set it to wake me up at 4:30 a.m. on the weekend. It’s a good thing I woke up on my own! I shut off the alarm (both of them, because I wouldn’t be needing them for a while).
I got ready and my Dad happily drove me to the airport while it was dark and cold (39° in fact). My DF rocks! The airport was moderately busy at the early hour, but it seemed like I’d arrived at the tail end of a rush, because there was a pretty big crowd (relatively speaking) at the security checkpoint, and they had both sides of that open, which meant there had been a lot of people there before I arrived.
I got a bagel for breakfast, which was disgusting. It’s pretty hard to find a bad bagel in my neck of the woods, but the airport snack bar did the impossible. The fact that it was covered in cornmeal should’ve tipped me off! I only finished about half of it, tossed the rest and headed to my gate.
Even though I’d done Early Bird Check-In, I still had a B boarding pass (B5). I suppose EBCI is popular from my airport. It didn’t really bother me, because I figure it’s worth the $10 just not to have to remember to check in right at exactly 24 hours ahead. And being a solo traveler, I have no problem finding a decent seat with a B boarding pass.
My DM called to wish me bon voyage just as we were being called to board, so I had a very short conversation with her and then found a great seat. It was a full flight (SWA seems to always have full flights) and I had a father and his tween daughter sit with me while the rest of their family took the seats behind us. They were fine, but the father was a bit of an armrest hog. He stuck his arms straight out on the dang thing. That’s just not polite, buddy.
We took off exactly on time and I spent the flight finishing the book that I was reading on my Kindle (Dracula – and it was scary ). Mr. Armrest hog’s kid in the row behind us was a tray-table drummer, but luckily, he lost interest in it after a few songs. That’s some family, huh?
I was thrilled when we landed 35 minutes early! We lost a few minutes waiting for our gate to open up, but still, I was way ahead of schedule. I’d planned to wait around in the airport for Eileen, whose flight was scheduled to land about half an hour after mine. I figured the strong tailwinds I’d experienced down the east coast were helping out Eileen’s plane too, and assumed she’d probably land a little early as well. So I waited for her down by DME check in.
I’d finished Dracula on the plane, so I borrowed The Hunger Games (how I love Amazon.com) and started that while I waited. Before long, I spotted Eileen.
We had plenty of time to chat, because once we joined the line to board our DME bus, it didn’t move at all for the longest time. At least 20 minutes went by without a single bus arriving or departing. They announced that the delays were because of a shift change. What genius decided a shift change at 11 a.m. was a good idea?
Karen had requested a photo of the two of us in the airport to tide her over, and Eileen had to give it a little help getting it through.
Finally a bus arrived, and we were happy to learn that it was for the Magic Kingdom resorts. However, we were so far back in the line that we didn’t think we’d make it onto that bus. We were the last two people on, which meant we didn’t have seats together, but we were near enough together that we could still chat on the way. It made my heart sing a little to watch and listen to Eileen giving her seat mate advice on what to do. It’s been too long, my friend.
The driver slowed down when we were approaching the beautiful purple gates and I was able to snag a halfway decent photo.
We stopped first at the Poly and the GF and then we got off at the WL. We had quite the welcoming committee in the lobby – Jill and Karen as well as Bob and Larry. We went up to stow our carry on items and grab something to eat from the lounge.
Karen had some really fabulous hats that she’d made for us. All the girls got snazzy Christmas tree hats (which you will see in photos later). Bob and Larry got these adorable snowmen hats.
They didn’t wear them very long. Probably because they were meant for kids and were a trifle small. But props to Karen for her crafting talent. I was greatly amused by Karen’s tale of checking in. She and Jill were brought up to the lounge by a CM. Bob and Larry had checked in already and were with them, so they went up too. Karen cracked me up by suggesting that the CM was mentally wondering about the sleeping arrangements in the room. Oh the combinations.
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.
One day my BFF, Eileen (Caldercup) sent me a message that a CLQ trip was being planned, my presence was required and the dates were not negotiable. Or something like that. Well then, that takes care of that! I didn’t have to think any longer about when to go to WDW. In fact, I didn’t do a thing in the planning of the trip. My job was just to show up.
I never said I wasn't Miss Bossypants! (And... if you'd get on Facebook, you'd have known about the ganglet's plans long before I had to COMMAND you to join us.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
First, there’s the CLQ, which stands for the Crazy Lady Quartet. Why? Well, because we’re crazy for Disney, we are ladies most of the time – I make no promises once you get one or two drinks into Eileen and there are four of us. Clever, huh?
Hey! I resemble that remark!!
I also resemble this cello:
...as you could tell by this horrific picture of me:
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
Seriously, Shashi -- if I EVER take an unflattering picture of you (which seems unlikely, since all photos of you come out great), I'm gonna post it post haste!
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
Karen had requested a photo of the two of us in the airport to tide her over, and Eileen had to give it a little help getting it through.
The reception is better this way... I SWEAR!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
We were the last two people on, which meant we didn’t have seats together, but we were near enough together that we could still chat on the way. It made my heart sing a little to watch and listen to Eileen giving her seat mate advice on what to do. It’s been too long, my friend.
I could hear you chuckling at me, you know...
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
I was greatly amused by Karen’s tale of checking in. She and Jill were brought up to the lounge by a CM. Bob and Larry had checked in already and were with them, so they went up too. Karen cracked me up by suggesting that the CM was mentally wondering about the sleeping arrangements in the room. Oh the combinations.
Wait! Who gets to tell THAT story?! Me?!! Please?! Ohpleaseohpleaseohplease!!! (As long as Jilly sends me her pics...)
I can't wait for more... it's the only thing that will help close up this great big gaping hole in my chest now that we're all spread across the country again. *sniff*
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.
Our hats were really cute, but wait 'till you see the Ladies'! I'm just sayin'.
Bob and I had set out from North Alabama the previous afternoon and overnighted in Ocala after a pretty long drive. Thus we were very close when we started out today. We arrived at the WL in good time, checked in, and found that our 1BR villa was ready on the DVC side before 10:00 o'clock. Woohoo!
We got our bags delivered as well as our Owners Locker, and I immediately deployed the Keurig Mini (it uses the coffee K-cups that look like overgrown coffee creamers). This is my solution to yucky coffee from sloooooow coffeemakers.
I had just brewed my second cup when Bob & I got word that Jill had arrived (the giveaway was the picture of the WL Christmas tree she posted to Facebook), so I dumped the coffee Jill is worth it and we hustled over to the lobby, where we were joined by Karen.
We did enjoy escorting Jill and Karen upstairs, and I believe we availed ourselves of a couple of things from the club lounge. We only did this one other time, so I don't feel guilty.
We kept track of Sharon and Eileen's progress on DME and were thrilled when they arrived.
It was catching up with Joan that would prove to be the challenge.
What a great start! It's a good thing your flight was a short one-- an armrest hog and a tray-table drummer can make even a short flight very long. I love the snowmen hats! So nice that both the CLQ and the DD get to spend some holiday time together.
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.
About This Page: 
Come on, like you don’t know. This is me we’re talking about! 
Luckily, that part was fairly easy. One day my BFF, Eileen (Caldercup) sent me a message that a CLQ trip was being planned, my presence was required and the dates were not negotiable. Or something like that. 
I wanted to visit before Christmas and be home to celebrate with my family, and I wanted some time at home leading up to Christmas, so I decided to choose December 17 – 21. I also invited my BFF Karen (zacksmom_1993) to join me, being that she lives in California and will be celebrating her 40th birthday on December 20, 
it was a no brainer.
you don’t want to read my ramblings more than once (unless you’re crazy), so what I’ve posted so far is the same in both. The next post will be specific to the trip it’s in. Got it? I feel like that was a lot more complicated than I meant it to be. Don’t go away!
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
Dawn (DawnDenise) served us well as our travel agent.
) can feel free to add in their two cents here.
I have a really snazzy alarm clock that I adore. I can dock my iPod in it (and wake up to my iPod), it sets itself so I never have to worry about Daylight Savings, it shines the time on the ceiling, and I never have to remember to turn it on on Sunday nights, because it has weekday/weekend/every day modes. It has a second alarm setting which I set to go off at 4:30 a.m. (ouch). 
I checked it and discovered that I was the dummy and not the clock. 
I’d set it to wake me up at 4:30 a.m. on the weekend. 
I only finished about half of it, tossed the rest and headed to my gate. 
We lost a few minutes waiting for our gate to open up, but still, I was way ahead of schedule. 
I’d planned to wait around in the airport for Eileen, whose flight was scheduled to land about half an hour after mine. I figured the strong tailwinds I’d experienced down the east coast were helping out Eileen’s plane too, and assumed she’d probably land a little early as well. So I waited for her down by DME check in.
I was greatly amused by Karen’s tale of checking in. She and Jill were brought up to the lounge by a CM. Bob and Larry had checked in already and were with them, so they went up too. Karen cracked me up by suggesting that the CM was mentally wondering about the 
sleeping arrangements in the room. 
Liz 
<--- Disney Fantasy 2016!
Bob and Larry's hats! 
Aimee
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