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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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Just thought I'd share a little of my experience. If you haven't been by, you should! It's in the same building as Journey into Imagination and we had a great time.
When you get to the gift shop area of Journey into Imagination, there is an attendant at the base of the stairs who will check your DVC card. They did let me in with my old card (I had just grabbed that one to carry), but they did tell me to make sure and bring my new DVC card (I guess so they could make sure I wasn't a resale DVC member). They do have an elevator, so you can get up if you can't do stairs.
Also, be aware they have a maximum capacity. The first day we went, they were at capacity, and we couldn't get up! But the two other days we stopped by, we were allowed "in." There is a fancy soda fountain (where you can get all kinds of flavors), and a lady who walks around with complimentary snacks--chips, cookies, candy. Several seating areas with Ipads (or something like Ipads--I didn't look that closely), some full computers, and two games stations for the kiddos. They also had a Disney movie playing with a place for the kids to hang.
It was a really nice break from the heat of the parks. We stayed about 20 minutes both times just to get some air conditioning and have a soda. I think it's a really nice addition to Epcot and for the DVC members. I like feeling like I get a little something extra with my membership. Nothing over the top, but a little something to say, "Disney appreciates you!"
I strongly recommend anyone visit if they don't have a super jam packed schedule!
We visited the lounge when we were there last month. We were only there for 10 or 15 minutes though and in that time we didn't see a CM with snacks.
But the AC felt great, and there were so many drink choices! And lots of places to sit and relax.
It should be noted however that there is no bathroom up there.
I was annoyed at myself for forgetting the first time we were around there to not go in, and the only other time we were there was first thing in the morning and didn't feel as if we needed at break, so we never made it there.
We visited the lounge a few times last month, too. After checking in..... I was "escorted" up in the elevator since I was using a scooter.
We did enjoy the area. It was a very relaxing atmosphere and the AC was great.
The first time we went, we just missed the "traveling" snack cart. We were there the other times the snack cart was brought around.
I got some beautiful pictures.......the "room" is completely glass domed .......so great views.
It's just too bad that this is only available to us (DVC members) during the 25th Anniversary year celebration.
I'm hoping it has good reception and they leave it! What else are they going to do with that space?
I did have to go to the restroom, and they let me out and back in. Luckily, when we were headed up with the four year old, they told us there wasn't one up there, so we weren't surprised. Of course, I had to go before the little one did!
We used the Lounge in August and enjoyed it. Nothing extraordinary, but it did provide a nice break from the heat along with a cold beverage and snack. We had trouble finding seats at first, as it was quite crowded, but eventually did and stayed for about 15 minutes. I hope they keep it after the anniversary!
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We visited the lounge in August. It was nice to have complimentary beverages, but we just missed the snack cart. And while we were there for another 45 minutes or so, it never came back. Space was at a premium but we were able to get seats right away - others coming after us had to search a bit for seating. But as it is "free," I don't think there is anything to complain about. It's nice that they are doing special things for DVC members, and we enjoy experiencing them
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.
I loved that they had the service desk too. We had to fix an address on our account and were able to take care of it right there very quickly. Much better than being on hold on the phone
We were able to visit about 2 weeks ago, and it was relaxing and quiet up there. It was nice to be able to take a break, enjoy a drink, and rest our feet, all while my daughter played Disney Infinity for a bit. We never saw any snacks being handed out, but then again, we were only up there for about 15 minutes. Just enough to reset.
when i was there it was crowded with people who brought their luggage (did not understand that one) -
they have the computers, the movie, and the drinks - did not see any snacks - but if you would ask they would give you one - saw a couple of members do that. and they were great giving instructions/directions.