Forums Closed
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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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!
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08-15-2016, 06:50 AM
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#1
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PassPorter Guide
 Community Rank: Globetrotter 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,041
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Feature Article: When to Book Your Disney Vacations - A Disney Vacation Planning Article
When to Book Your Disney Vacations - A Disney Vacation Planning Article
by Katherine Resch
I often hear the question: “How far in advance do I need to book a Disney vacation?”
The answer varies based on the Disney destination. A travel agent specializing in Disney destinations can guide you through the process. There are often significant benefits to booking early, and these vary by destination as well. The best guideline for all destinations is to book as early as possible. Early booking always allows for best availability, so you have the opportunity to have the vacation you want, rather than being limited by what is left over. How far in advance should you book your Disney vacation?
For all destinations – as early as possible!
When you book early, you have the best availability and variety of options. In addition, after placing a deposit (which varies by destination), you have a longer period of time in which to make payments or save money for your final payment.
Walt Disney World Resort – at least 7 months in advance
Millions of guests visit the Walt Disney World Resort each year, and this makes early planning imperative if you plan to be one of these guests. When planning a vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort, it is best to make your resort reservation at least 7 months in advance. For certain popular room categories, such as the Little Mermaid Standard Rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, it is suggested to book even earlier.
Why 7 months? Booking at least 7 months in advance allows time to make transportation arrangements, look at park hours, and decide your dining and tour reservations. At 180 days (about 6 months) before arrival, you can book your dining and tour reservations. There are many dining locations that are extremely popular, so making those reservations as early as possible is essential, and a huge benefit of booking early. When staying at the Walt Disney World Resort, you will be able to make dining and tour reservations for your entire stay at 180 days before your arrival date. You will also be able to make your Fast Pass reservations for your entire stay at 60 days before your arrival date. Disneyland Resort – at least 3 months in advance
The Disneyland Resort is the original Disney destination, and has the advantage of being smaller with a more local clientele. This, along with a shorter reservation time frame, allows for a more flexible schedule when booking reservations. For best availability, book a Disneyland Resort vacation at least 3 months in advance.
Why 3 months? This time frame gives you time to make transportation arrangements, look at park hours, and decide on dining and tour reservations. Dining reservations at the Disneyland Resort can be made up to 60 days in advance. However, reservations at restaurants at the Disneyland Resort are often available at a later date, even for the most popular dining locations. Reservations for tours can be made up to 30 days in advance. The Disneyland Resort is my top suggestion for a last-minute Disney vacation.
Disney Cruise Line – at least 5 months in advance
It is important to note that cruise pricing often increases as the sailing date approaches. This means that the best pricing is available when cruise itineraries are released, usually about 15-18 months in advance. If this is not possible, I suggest that you make your Disney Cruise Line reservation at least 5 months in advance.
Why 5 months? I suggest having a passport for all Disney Cruise Line sailings, in case of unforeseen circumstances where you might have to depart from or stay in a foreign port. If applying for a new passport, it is best to allow at least 3 months to receive the passport. Reservations for specialty dining, spa treatments, shore excursions, and group babysitting can be made in advance once your reservation is paid in full, based on your Castaway Club status or stateroom. Booking at least one month in advance of your reservation date allows time to make transportation arrangements and take a better look at the cruise itinerary to determine the reservations you might like to make. First-time guests on the Disney Cruise Line can make reservations up to 75 days before sailing. Castaway Club members or guests staying in a concierge stateroom can make reservations up to 120 days before sailing.
Adventures by Disney – at least 5 months in advance
Adventures by Disney offers the best of Disney service with the adventure of guided tours around the world. This is an amazing way to experience culture with your family. Early booking ensures best availability, especially for common school vacation times, popular tours, and larger groups. If you would like to arrive early or extend your stay, early booking also offers the best availability for those extensions. I suggest booking at least 5 months in advance for all Adventures by Disney vacations.</p>
Why 5 months? Most Adventures by Disney vacations require a passport and international airfare. If applying for a new passport, I always suggest allowing at least 3 months to receive the passport. Even if traveling on a domestic Adventure, airfare can sometimes be difficult because of the destinations. Final payment for an Adventures by Disney vacation is due 120 days before travel, so booking fewer than 5 months in advance often means paying in full at the time of reservation.
Aulani – at least 7 months in advance
Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa in Ko Olina on O’ahu in Hawai’i, offers a tropical vacation with a Disney flair. Aulani offers standard hotel rooms and suites, as well as Disney Vacation Club villas. Transportation to Hawai’i can be difficult and expensive, depending on the city of origin, so booking far in advance can help you to find the best transportation options. In addition, excursions can be booked far in advance (right now there are reservations available in 2019). I suggest booking a vacation to Aulani at least 7 months in advance.
Why 7 months? Dining reservations, including the popular Disney character breakfast at Makahiki, can be made up to 180 days in advance. Online pre-registration for Aunty’s Beach House (the children’s activity area for ages 3-12) begins at 90 days before travel. Having your reservation secured before these deadlines allows you to make arrangements in advance.
General benefits of booking in advance
For all destinations, booking in advance allows for the best availability and ability to make plans at your leisure. A good travel agent, especially one specializing in Disney destinations, can help you with your plans. If you are not able to make plans far in advance, you have the option of choosing a Disney destination where it is not as necessary (Disneyland Resort is my top suggestion), or accepting the fact that you may be taking what is available rather than choosing from every option.
Added to PassPorter's Article Collection on 07-15-2016 12:07 PM
What do you think? Please add your own comments, experiences, or news related to this article in this thread! Reader feedback is welcomed and encouraged.
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