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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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We're getting close to our 60 day check in and we've never been to SSR. We're a party of 12 and we have a 2 bdrm and 1 bdrm booked. The youngest is my 13 yr. old nephew and the oldest is Mom who's 67. Mom has some medical issues and we're considering an EVC. I'm not sure which section we should request. I don't think the pool will be very important as we'll be there the first week in December and the weather will be cooler? Hubby, however, really enjoys his hot tub time after the parks. We're planning on going to all 4 parks and probably Downtown Disney some evenings. Can anyone recommend a convenient location to the buses, hot tub and check-in area?
I like staying at the Springs because it is close to check in and all the main amenities. The poolside bar is a convenient place to fill your mug and your nephew will be close to the community hall & the arcade.
While the Springs is close to the main building, it's also the last bus stop within the resort, which can be pretty crowded in the mornings. The Grandstand section is also relatively close, and is the first bus stop.
I've actually only ever stayed in Congress Park (4 or 5 times - just luck of the draw), which is convenient to DTD - although I think now the walkway is closed due to construction. It's about a 8-10 min walk to the main building (depending on how fast you/your group walks), and it's the 4th (out of 5) bus stops - so morning crowds can also be an issue.
The one section I wouldn't want to stay in is the Paddock - it looks like it's the most spread-out, and there'd be some long walks to the bus stop.
If I were you, I'd call the resort and ask them. They know the layout better than anyone: Saratoga Springs is Phone:(407) 827-1100
We will be in a two BR at SSR in November. It is our first time there and we are excited to be so close to DTD!
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Adam
*SSR Apr '17 * AofA & SSR '16 * OKW '14 * SSR Nov '13 * Pop Sept '13 * OKW Grand Villa Family '11 * Pop Century Mar '10
All Star Movies '07 * Port Orleans Riverside HONEYMOON '06 * Dolphin '94
We prefer the grandstand area. 1st one on the bus 1st off. (if riding) Has its own quiet pool with kid play area. Has its own hot tub. A quick 5 min walk to the main area, (if wanted)
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Being DVC owners at SSR, we have stayed there many times. We always request the Grandstand for several reasons. First, as already stated it's the first bus stop going to the parks. Very important in the morning, as you'll be pretty much guaranteed a seat. It is also the first drop-off coming back to the resort. Next would be the quiet pool. It has a jacuzzi, kids play area, and the all important pool bar during the day! We have never seen it packed with people like the main pool can be. Our kids actually prefer the quiet pool, as do we! In addition, it is only a short walk (less than 5 minutes) to the main building with the restaurants, and to the boat dock for the relaxing trip to DTD. It is also very quiet as quite a few rooms face onto the golf course.
Of course, regardless of where you stay, we hope you have a great trip!
We always request the springs. My kids love the main pool, and it's a quick walk. Never had too much of a problem being the last stop in the morning. I like being close to the main building, and the laundry (sometimes we stay in a studio)
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