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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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
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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.
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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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I would like to ask everyone for any ideas/tips for a special trip I am planning for my parents. I visited WDW last year for the very first time and I had a blast I spent 4 days at WDW and 1 day each at IOA and SW. This time around, I am bringing my parents for their very first trip to WDW and would like some tips/ideas on how to make this trip a magical one for them.
For starters, we have decided on visiting in early November, when the weather isn't too bad (we don't mind the rain at all; in fact, it is such a novelty in San Diego ) I combined AK and DS in 1 day and spent 1 day at MK and 2 days at Epcot. This time around, i want to spend full days at AK and DS so we can experience everything.
I would appreciate any ideas/tips that would enhance this trip for them, whether it is a particular restaurant or tour, or even something off the beaten path. I want this to be a vacation they never forget
Richard,
Having traveled with mature people on each of our trips,I've found that they really enjoy the Boardwalk. If you can stay at Boardwalk or Beach club. You can walk or ride the boat to Epcot and MGM. Many good resturants are close,including Beaches&Cream, our favorite.
Tammy
We took my DM a year ago last March for her first trip to WDW (she's 87). She loved IASW, Fantasmic, 50's Prime Time Cafe (she kept pointing to things, saying "I had one of those!"), the parades - especially Spectromagic, Festival of the Lion King, World Showcase, having her picture taken with characters, Spaceship Earth...In short, just about anything that wasn't too rough for her old bones to handle. We stayed at a timeshare offsite, so I can't recommend any of the resorts, as we haven't stayed at any, but there are other people here who can help you with this.
One thing that I highly recommend (depending on your folks' ages) is some form of wheeled transport for use inside the parks - a wheelchair, electric scooter, etc. - as there's a lot of walking involved, and you don't want to spoil your good time by letting them get overly tired. Besides, a wheelchair is a great way to carry all the stuff you'll buy (if you don't have it sent to your resort)!
Sunblock, wide-brimmed hats, long sleeves are a must for older, fragile skin!
Having lunch at a nice, table service restaurant gives a good rest break in the middle of the day...you don't have to order a full meal, you can just have an appetizer, or an entree, or dessert. Many oldsters don't have the appetites that they used to. Also, my DM suffered from "sticker shock" at the prices, so you may want to be prepared for this. Some of the buffets may be a good choice - Biergarten in Germany, for example - or all you can eat restaurants, such as the Garden Grill in The Land, which has the added perk of being a character meal. Check your handy-dandy Passporter for more ideas. And nothing beats the nostalgia value of the 50's Prime Time Cafe at the Studios.
If you have any questions about touring with Senior Citizens, PM me - I'll be glad to help!
My tip would be not to overlook attractions that may seem like they are for the Little Kid set - on one trip to WDW that my parents took by themselves they said the best tip they got was from another older couple who told them they should definitely go see the Little Mermaid Show at MGM Studios. The other couple said they noticed that my parents were also there without little kids and might overlook it like they almost did. Well, my parents really enjoyed it and still talk about how they wouldn't have gone in if not for the other couple's suggestion!
I don't know of your parents interests or physical conditiion, but I loved the Backstage Animal Kingdom Tour. It wasn't all that tiring, but we definitely had to do a bit of walking. It was broken up with sitting and talking from time to time as well.
Dont really have any suggestions just to set up one special night for dinner with your parents. Just going to Disney with your parents to enjoy together as a family is priceless to begin with. Enjoy!
Thought I'd post with some suggestions that I wish I had gotten before my trips with both my FIL and my MIL...First of all, something that I didn't realize that I had to worry about was the general noise in parks and restaurants. Maybe it's because my in-laws live in a retirement community, but we were surprised to find that they found WDW LOUD. The fireworks were LOUD, the parade music was LOUD...you get the picture. Choose your restaurants with care especially if like my MIL, your family members get overwhelmed easily...places like Ohanas or any character meals have alot of "residual" noise that you might not realize...but, trust me, your parents probably will. It was hard for them to hear waiters in places like these and we found ourselves avoiding them.
They especially enjoyed the Sci Fi Diner and I would say MGM was their favorite park. Keep in mind that they should start walking now in order to keep up...we suggested this to the in-laws, but they didn't take the advice and they mentioned numerous times they "wished" they would have. Make sure they have good walking shoes as well...my retired marine FIL thought that he could walk in loafers all day and be okay. Needless to say, we had the most problems with him!
It's also handy to have set meals as mentioned above, and you'll find that if you eat on more "off" hours (before noon and after 2pm for lunch; before 6pm and after 8pm for dinner), the restaurants will be quieter too. Keep in mind their tastes-nothing too "fancy" for my FIL kept him happier. Feel free to keep the schedule flexible-don't overplan. Plan free time where you can either do your "own" thing or just rest.
Make sure they don't get "overtired"-my MIL and I went to WDW alone this year for the Flower and Garden Festival, and, unfortunately, I "thought" she would realize that she needed to rest, not burn both ends of the candle, etc. She was full of adrenaline the first few days and basically kept going, going, going. Much of this was her own fault, but I probably should have eased her into it. So if you have free time scheduled, make sure they are using it appropriately...and not shopping at DTD, staying up late for resort hopping, or any of the other things my MIL did. (*sigh* Don't get me started.)
One more hint...and then I'll sign off. Keep them as informed as possible. Buy them a guide and ask them what their "top five" must-dos in each park are. The more information they have, the better your trip will be! Have fun...and good luck!
I would make sure that you eat some place nice like the California Grill. Watch the fireworks. They will love them. Take them to the Carousel of Progress in MK if it's open. When watching parades make sure they sit down. They'll enjoy it more. Have a great time!!
We went in September to celebrate my Mom's 75th birthday. I second the wheelchair idea if it is necessary. My Mom was initially agahst that I'd rented her a wheelchair but she was so glad we had just a few hours into the vacation.
Her favorites were Flying Fish cafe on the Boardwalk, Living with the Land in Epcot, Spectromagic(it actually made her cry she loved it so much), Illuminations, Hoop De Doo, our fireworks cruise and much to my surprise Goofys Beach Club Bash Brunch at the Beach Club. I never imagined she'd love a character meal so much. I hope you all have a great trip.
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Re: Ideas/Tips for First Time Mature Travelers
If the wheelchair idea doesn't fly - I HIGHLY recommend ECVs. My parents went this past Feb for their 37th anniversary - and the retired bigadier general dad ended up with blisters on his feet after day one. He has bad ankles and feet to begin with and I had PLEADED with him to try an ECV before they left home. Nope, would not hear of it. Well - after day 1 - he calls me (I was there too with 5 yr old niece at different resort) and asks me - what are those motorized things again and how do I get one????
Do a character meal...they aren't just for kids! Have dinner in the castle!! The same rules apply for older adults as they do for kids, take your time, don't try to see everything and don't be afraid to go back to the resort for a mid-day nap or swim break.
Thanks Tammy for your suggestions. I wanted to eat at Beaches and Cream on my last trip, but never made it over to the BC. I will definitely keep that in mind for them
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I spent 4 days at WDW and 1 day each at IOA and SW. This time around, I am bringing my parents for their very first trip to WDW and would like some tips/ideas on how to make this trip a magical one for them.
) I combined AK and DS in 1 day and spent 1 day at MK and 2 days at Epcot. This time around, i want to spend full days at AK and DS so we can experience everything.
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