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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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 dd17 has decided to join us. She has an anxiety disorder. I assume she needs her own GAC in case she goes on rides without me. Just explain that she has anxiety and needs a quieter place to wait or enter? Also, no matter which way in, is there a way to get out quickly if she needs it? She hasn't had an anxiety attack in a while but she has been homeschooled and not in crowded places. We are planning our days when there is an expected level of 4 or less in the park and switched our park days so she can do extra magic hours at MK. Any other tips for traveling with anxiety disorders? I have the special needs passporter (original edition). I need to pull it back out.
I will bring my previous GAC to let them know what I need this time. I actually have 2. One from a summer trip for sun sensitive and one from winter when I didn't need shade but was on immunosuppressant meds that I am on still. Since this is summer, I will need both accommodations. Is that going to look odd?
Lastly, I will be on an upped dose as I start the trip so may not need an ECV. What happens if I get there and decide after a park day that I need one? We have our arrival day then DHS then Epcot then off day then MK evening EMH and then off day then AK then departure. How last minute can I call to have an ECV delivered? Can I get one to meet me at the hotel same day and then head back to park? Can I call to have it delivered on an off day? I would hate to rent it and then not need it.
Thanks in advance.
__________________
Sandi
mom of 6: dd25, ds22, dd17, ds13, dd12, and dd9
mawmaw to 3 beautiful granddaughters: 5, 3, 1 and #4 due in February
16 trips to WDW
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If your daughter will have an issue that needs a GAC, then yes, she should have her own. On most attractions, there is a chicken exit for people who change their minds, but once you get on certain things--like the dark rides--you are pretty much committed. Will she be able to do that by herself? Perhaps she would do better with a companion. She might also find a small pocket flashlight helpful if getting stuck on a ride in the dark would be a problem for her.
Yes, you can call any outside company to have an ECV delivered to your resort after you arrive. We did this one year (not on purpose) so we did the first day without it as they couldn't deliver until the next morning. We made do with a borrowed wheelchair until then. Buena Vista Scooters is on site at the Boardwalk, so that might be an option to get one more quickly. We have used them, Walker's, and Apple Scooters, which had smaller size scoots that my husband liked better as they were easier to steer and fit into our trunk better.
She will do fine on dark rides, it is more a crowd thing than anything. We will all be touring together. I can't do the coasters though. She will have her siblings. If I put her "in charge of" the 9yo, she should be better but I want her to know she has an escape if she needs it so she doesn't feel trapped. She LOVES thrill rides.
She hasn't been to WDW since 2008 so I would really like her to see the queues for some of the rides. Is there a GAC that just lets them know that she may need to exit halfway through the queue if she feels trapped? I am talking before chicken exit. How does she get out of the line? I was on an ECV one year and my littlest said she was going to be sick. I had to try to back my way out. Luckily it was on Monsters' Inc and no one was behind us. She just needs to know she won't be trapped.
She got lost in 2008 (at 12) and couldn't remember my number but they took her to guest services and they looked me up in the computer and called me. She was the only kid that didn't have a sticker on because she was old enough to know my number but panicked and couldn't remember it. This was when her anxiety attacks were beginning. I am thinking I will put a sticker on her this year somehow, just in case.
Thanks for letting me know about the ECV's. Glad to know I can change my mind if I need to. Praying that the upped meds keep me walking on my own 2 feet!!!
I am so excited.
__________________
Sandi
mom of 6: dd25, ds22, dd17, ds13, dd12, and dd9
mawmaw to 3 beautiful granddaughters: 5, 3, 1 and #4 due in February
16 trips to WDW
AFAIK, there are no quick "outs" once you are in line other than making your way back the way you came. The only thing I can suggest is all of you getting in line together (including you) and giving your daughter a buffer zone. Maybe have you at the back where no one can get past you and the other kids up front somewhere with your daughter in a nice little "pocket" of space in the middle. Then when you get to the loading zone, just tell the CM how many of you changed your minds and don't want to ride.
Good luck I hope you have a great trip. Are you using a travel agent, maybe they could call Disney directly and explain your concerns if not maybe you could call.
On most attractions, there is a chicken exit for people who change their minds, but once you get on certain things--like the dark rides--you are pretty much committed.
. She might also find a small pocket flashlight helpful if getting stuck on a ride in the dark would be a problem for her.
Yes, you can call any outside company to have an ECV delivered to your resort Walker's, and Apple Scooters, which had smaller size scoots that my husband liked better as they were easier to steer and fit into our trunk better.
Great tips! You make a good point about the dark rides that is true for any attraction. There is a point-of-no-return, and sometimes you have to think it through. My PassPorter friend Angie Daley were distracted discussing a project while we waited in line for California Screamin in California Adventure. We weren't really paying attention because we were busy working on a project and looking at our papers in line. When it was time to step in, we took a look at the loop and almost had a fit! We had a great time, but we really hadn't looked into that particular attraction beyond the name.
I might not count on a pocket flashlight. Most dark attractions are moderated by CMs, even the moving ones. The CMs might request that it be turned off. I wouldn't want someone to count on something and have it fall short.
Great advice for the ECVs. I test drove a few for research and found the smaller versions to be much more maneuverable for sharp turns.
She will do fine on dark rides, it is more a crowd thing than anything.
She hasn't been to WDW since 2008 so I would really like her to see the queues for some of the rides. Is there a GAC that just lets them know that she may need to exit halfway through the queue if she feels trapped? I am talking before chicken exit. How does she get out of the line? I was on an ECV one year and my littlest said she was going to be sick. I had to try to back my way out. Luckily it was on Monsters' Inc and no one was behind us. She just needs to know she won't be trapped.
She got lost in 2008 (at 12) and couldn't remember my number but they took her to guest services and they looked me up in the computer and called me. She was the only kid that didn't have a sticker on because she was old enough to know my number but panicked and couldn't remember it. This was when her anxiety attacks were beginning. I am thinking I will put a sticker on her this year somehow, just in case.
Thanks for letting me know about the ECV's. Glad to know I can change my mind if I need to. Praying that the upped meds keep me walking on my own 2 feet!!!
I am so excited.
There is an alternate waiting area that is possible. The cast member puts a time down so you can be admitted around the same time as others. It is private and away from the crowds, but it lacks the wonderful themes that Disney created for the queues. The waiting kind-of gets you into the spirit of the attraction. This doesn't have that feedback that you are moving ahead like the lines, and the scenery doesn't change, so you really need to be prepared with activities to make it work. Also one parent mentioned waiting with other special needs that set off some imitating behaviors in her won child that lasted the rest of the trip.
If you want to walk the parks, you'll get a paper that gives you the time when you are able to go on the attraction to keep waiting times pretty much in synch with the typical line. This way, you can be in the fresh air and return in a window of time. Of course, here, you need to fill the time so you don't miss your return time.
All the CMs are trained for the lost child procedure. They usually bring them to the baby-care center. I'm not a fan of kids wearing stickers that give away personal info these days (even names!) If she can't have her own phone, you can make her a bracelet and write your number on the beads in permanent marker, then cover with a few coats of clear nail polish. Just remind her that it is there. That way, it isn't so obvious to everyone and it can be more age-appropriate than a sticker for older ones. (Just bring the marker and double check after swimming, touching with sunscreen, or bathing.)
I LOVE the bracelet idea. She loves crafting so I can have her make it herself. She has a phone and my number memorized but just worry if she has an anxiety attack. I will tell her it is in case something happens and she can't talk. I will have her make one for all of us and have her put her number on a bracelet for me so she feels important.
Wow, such a GREAT idea!!!! I know they sell beads with letters on them. Maybe they have them with numbers too.
The stickers that I put on my kids had no name, simply "if lost call" and my number. It was even in a Disney font. LOL
I am still ecstatic over the bracelet idea!!!! I can't wait to have her make them!!!! I knew I could count on y'all to solve that issue!!!!! You rock!!!!
I was hoping not to ride an ECV this trip but can't get a doc appointment before the trip so will only be on my normal dose of prednisone, no Medrol dose pack to make it through.
__________________
Sandi
mom of 6: dd25, ds22, dd17, ds13, dd12, and dd9
mawmaw to 3 beautiful granddaughters: 5, 3, 1 and #4 due in February
16 trips to WDW
Great tips! You make a good point about the dark rides that is true for any attraction. There is a point-of-no-return, and sometimes you have to think it through. My PassPorter friend Angie Daley were distracted discussing a project while we waited in line for California Screamin in California Adventure. We weren't really paying attention because we were busy working on a project and looking at our papers in line. When it was time to step in, we took a look at the loop and almost had a fit! We had a great time, but we really hadn't looked into that particular attraction beyond the name.
I might not count on a pocket flashlight. Most dark attractions are moderated by CMs, even the moving ones. The CMs might request that it be turned off. I wouldn't want someone to count on something and have it fall short.
Great advice for the ECVs. I test drove a few for research and found the smaller versions to be much more maneuverable for sharp turns.
I had a better time watching you two freaking out from the safety of the ground
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 bracelet idea. She loves crafting so I can have her make it herself. She has a phone and my number memorized but just worry if she has an anxiety attack. I will tell her it is in case something happens and she can't talk. I will have her make one for all of us and have her put her number on a bracelet for me so she feels important.
Wow, such a GREAT idea!!!! I know they sell beads with letters on them. Maybe they have them with numbers too.
I am still ecstatic over the bracelet idea!!!! I can't wait to have her make them!!!! I knew I could count on y'all to solve that issue!!!!! You rock!!!!
I was hoping not to ride an ECV this trip but can't get a doc appointment before the trip so will only be on my normal dose of prednisone, no Medrol dose pack to make it through.
AW SHUCKS! That made me feel so good! I'm an occupational therapist, and I work with many teens and college-age students who need a little extra help with age-appropriate methods. None of them ever got that excited with an idea. :-)
You do what you can, and if you need a scooter, you'll still be in Disney. I guess the suggestion of dressing a scooter up as a pumpkin coach won't make you as excited as the bracelet. :-)
Yes, dressing up the scooter, not as exciting. LOL Sorry. LOL I am a very plain Jane person and hate attention. I guess it is the little things that excite me. LOL
__________________
Sandi
mom of 6: dd25, ds22, dd17, ds13, dd12, and dd9
mawmaw to 3 beautiful granddaughters: 5, 3, 1 and #4 due in February
16 trips to WDW
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.
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AW SHUCKS! That made me feel so good! I'm an occupational therapist, and I work with many teens and college-age students who need a little extra help with age-appropriate methods. None of them ever got that excited with an idea. :-)
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