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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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So this is what I'm doing, I'll be flying in from overseas to meet with mom and nephew from Oct 6-11. We go every year around this time, do MNSSHP. We are staying at WL club level (first time). On my return trip back overseas, I'm planning to stay 1 night, Oct 25-26. I love the MK area and have stayed at WL, PV, SoG, several times. I'm considering branching out to POFQ, POR, or CBR. Will I be disappointed at those locations?
I had thought about GF (pricey but have never stayed) and Contemporary (just don't like the theming there).
My plan is to arrive early am to maximize my last visit to the World until next year.
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For only one night, I say GF. You mention you've thought about it, so go for it!
There are five different shops for something to do, listening to live music in the lobby from late afternoon until late evening, four wonderful TS restaurants (not including Afternoon Tea at the GVTR). The spa, if you want a relaxing end to your holiday with a massage or other such indulgence.
Pamper yourself, sez me!
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“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” —Winnie-the-Pooh
As a change of pace, you could try one of the Crescent Lake resorts (Boardwalk, Yacht Club, or Beach Club,) which are walking distance from Epcot and possibly Hollywood Studios. The Swan and Dolphin are there as well, but are less themed.
It's great to watch Illuminations and stroll back to your resort while others are waiting for a bus or monorail. (You can even see some of the Illuminations fireworks from a bridge at the end of the Boardwalk without entering Epcot.)
I've stayed at a moderate resort only once (Port Orleans Riverside). The grounds are lovely, but the time necessary to walk to meals or park busses is potentially much greater than at the Deluxe resorts. If it's just you, though, the cost savings might make the walks worthwhile.
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If it's just one night, I'd go with the Polynesian. Watch Wishes (or whatever the replacement is) from the beach. Get a dole whip and enjoy it in your pajamas (in your room). Have a nice meal at Kona. It might be a little pricey, but you're worth it!
For just one night I'd go for Grand Floridian. It sounds like you have wanted to stay there in the past and since you love the MK area you can spend your day really exploring this area. Also I think just doing one night is a great way to test it out and see if you would want to splurge on a future trip.
I will say - I also love POR Riverside. I think it is by far the best of Moderate resorts, but after staying at WL Club Level the week before you may be a bit disappointed. Also GF will be much more of a theme change from WL than POR Riverside.
For one night I would definitely choose we either the Poly or GF. As Dot pointed out, the GF has the spa, several food options as well as several lively boutiques. The Poly also has relaxing grounds and a great pool area as well as several wonderful restaurants. It of course does not have the spa or boutiques. It does have the Tiki bar & terrace. Enjoy your solo nigjt no matter where you end up.
Thanks for all the info and help! I really do appreciate it. I've decided to stay for 2 days and I'm going with the Poly. 182 days til my solo trip!!!!!
Congrats. You'll love Poly. I'd request a 3rd floor room, as 2nd floor rooms don't have balcony, and staying solo I wouldn't want a ground floor room. Poly is a great location, can walk to GF. I love taking the boat back from MK.