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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
Ugh...I do this every time I book a Disney trip...
I currently have a reservation at POR with a pin code I got in the mail. Although, it's not much of a discount off the rack rate... :/
I'm not really feeling the resort though...I don't know why, but I just can't get excited about it.
I looked online and I can get a standard room at BWI for ~$400 more than my current reservation with the pin code. This is a resort that we have been talking about a lot. DH likes the idea of evening entertainment and DS likes the pool (yes...even with that clown...)
There is also availability for a standard business class room at CSR for ~$250 more. We have stayed here before and really liked it, but did not do the Business Class. I definitely think we would utilize this for breakfast (at least 3 days), snacks, and beer/wine. We will have downtime in the evenings to relax.
Also, this is rack rate for CSR, so the possibility of a room discount may help to make this more appealing. But, no discounts are out for our dates yet.
So, wwyd?? The more I talk to DH, he is liking the idea of the deluxe or amenities at CSR BC. But, then he tells me to just do whatever I think is best....
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 would choose BW bc of its proximity to so many things. I have not stayed here yet but have visited the Boardwalk area many times. I have stayed at CSR and it was just ok (not business class). It is not close to anything but not horribly far either. I have not stayed at POR buy for the money I think you would get more for your bang at one of the other resorts.
It depends on when you're going. The food court at PORFQ will be closing for refurb on july 11 through the fall. If you're staying at FQ, the food will be limited during the refurb, and they will be offering shuttles to the restaurants at Riverside.
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.
It depends on when you're going. The food court at PORFQ will be closing for refurb on july 11 through the fall. If you're staying at FQ, the food will be limited during the refurb, and they will be offering shuttles to the restaurants at Riverside.
We're going in November, so I think the refurb should be finished by then....maybe?
For the best bang for your buck, I would take CSR BC. CSR has a great main pool, the resort is centrally located with very good non shared transportation and the BC, your room location is the best at the resort. And you get access to the Coconino Lounge
We love POR. Their food court is open, and it's our fav food court. CSR has never appealed to me. Everyone likes different things.
My Epcot resort choice is BC/YC. But I'd always pic a deluxe if the $400 extra is in my budget. You can't beat walking to Epcot and DHS. Or boat to DHS. Plus you have easy access to so much dining possibilities in the Epcot resort area.
And larger room with real closets not in bathroom area that's the one thing I dislike at the mods.
Also a balcony! And inside hallway. No body walking in front of your window looking inside at you!!
I'd say if you're really into having access to the restaurants in World Showcase and don't mind spending the extra money then BWI should be your choice. Personally I don't care for any of the Epcot resorts or the Boardwalk area. I would go with CSR. Beautiful resort, good price, and awesome pool. Use the savings for dining and shopping.
I love BWI and if the $400 isn't going to break the bank, go for it. Location is perfect! BTW, both my kids prefer the BWI slide over the BC/YC one. They say it goes faster and with the BC one you can feel all the seams and it "hurts". Have never done CSR but will say that business class would tempt me since I love CL at the deluxe resorts. We love BWI.
Wow! Thanks for all the great input!
I'm still unsure what to do....love the idea of BWI, but we only have 4 nights so it will be a quick trip. Not much down time to enjoy the resort. We're not getting hoppers and EPCOT is honestly our least "must do's" of any of the parks.
I think I'm talking myself out of BWI. DH was just talking about a trip just him and I. Maybe we should save the splurge on BWI for that trip
Right now, I'm leaning toward CSR Business Class. The only thing available is rack rate...do you think it might be included in some fall promotions?
Honestly, I'm still checking every day to see if Free Dining opens up for our dates too. Right now, it's only available for a Savannah view 1 BR at AKL...that's a little too far out of our price range!
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.