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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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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.
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09-12-2005, 01:58 PM
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#61
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Community Rank: Jetsetter 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 2,929
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Re: Our Gatlinburg Labor Day Getaway - NEW UPDATE 9/10!!
What beautiful scenery! The aquarium looks really nice. I too developed a fondness of sting rays after visiting Discovery Cove  . |
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Sponsored links
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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. |
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09-12-2005, 03:31 PM
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#62
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Facebook Addict
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Philadelphia
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 39,682
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Re: Our Gatlinburg Labor Day Getaway - NEW UPDATE 9/10!!
That restaurant sure sounds APPLE-ing!
(my lame attempt at making a pun out of appealing)
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09-17-2005, 12:04 PM
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#63
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Community Rank: Explorer 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: NC
Posts: 12,270
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Re: Our Gatlinburg Labor Day Getaway - COMPLETED 9/17!
Day 3: Was the wait really worth it??
For our last morning I got up and decided that this year, we were going to eat at the one place I have always wanted to eat at since I was a kid, The Pancake Pantry. The line for this thing, every morning, wraps all the way around into The Village. My parents would never, never, wait in a line like that for breakfast. So it's a good thing that I married a guy who lets me do all the things I always wanted to do in the past but couldn't.
I got Andy up out of bed, got ready, took a few last pictures from our balcony, and then headed to check out. Once we checked out we loaded up our car and drove down the parking area for The Village. We walked through the Village to get to the Pancake Pantry and lo and behold, there was a line. They take your name and give you a number while you're in line. So we stood around, people watched, and our number was called about 20 min. into our line standing. Not too bad in my opinion.
This place was bustling if I've ever seen bustling! They really pack the people into this restaurant and the waitresses were working their tails off!! They were so cute, too, dressed in little maid outfits. Our waitress was an older lady, reminded me of a grandma! She was really into getting my coffee (refilled it everytime it hit half empty). Andy had the cornmeal pancakes and I had the Sugar and Spice pancakes (with melted caramel syrup) man was that good!! But they give you like 6 pancakes that are the size of your head! There was no way we could finish everything and our cute little grandma waitress wanted to know why we didn't clean our plates 
After our filling and delicious breakfast, we headed out to sit one last time and people watch in The Village. Around 11:30 we decided we should start heading home. Our drive home was incident free and all in all we had a GREAT time!! Gas didn't really bite us, not too crowded, and wonderful weather!! I can't wait till it's time to go again!
One last shot from the balcony
Me in front of the Pancake Pantry
This time Andy got the sign in the picture 
Another, Andy at the table, picture
I had to get a picture of the Village in the morning with almost nobody around
Another self shot on our way out of The Village
Hope you enjoyed sharing our Gatlinburg Labor Day Getaway with us!!!
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09-17-2005, 01:52 PM
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#64
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RED SOX NATION!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854
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Re: Our Gatlinburg Labor Day Getaway - COMPLETED 9/17!
Glad you finally got to eat at the Pancake Factory Melissa  Great trip report (and picture)! I'm glad you guys had a great time  |
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09-17-2005, 02:28 PM
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#65
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Community Rank: Legend Extraordinaire 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Ohio Football Hall Of Fame
Posts: 42,304
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Re: Our Gatlinburg Labor Day Getaway - COMPLETED 9/17!
The Pancake Pantry sounds so delicious Melissa!! Thanks for sharing your trip, it sounds like the two of you had a wonderful time!! Beautiful pictures!!
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09-17-2005, 05:24 PM
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#66
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: second star to the right
Posts: 13,308
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Re: Our Gatlinburg Labor Day Getaway - COMPLETED 9/17!
Were those pancakes as big as your head or as big as mine??!!
Sounds like a great trip. I never really had an interest in visiting Gatlinburg, but now I think I'd like to go sometime. Thanks for sharing with us!!
PS I love your "self" photos - I always end up with a picture from our noses up. |
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09-17-2005, 05:55 PM
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#67
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Community Rank: Legend 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 18,767
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Re: Our Gatlinburg Labor Day Getaway - COMPLETED 9/17!
Sounds like a wonderful getaway and Chuck and I will have to go there sometime. The pancakes sound delicious!! Thank you so much for sharing your trip with us!
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09-17-2005, 10:48 PM
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#68
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Wannabe Snowbird
Join Date: May 2002
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 34,137
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Re: Our Gatlinburg Labor Day Getaway - COMPLETED 9/17!
Gatlinburg sounds like such a wonderful place to visit! Thanks for sharing your trip with us!!
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09-20-2005, 01:59 AM
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#69
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Dopey's biggest fan!
Join Date: May 2004
Location: China Spring, TX
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 26,975
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Re: Our Gatlinburg Labor Day Getaway - COMPLETED 9/17!
You guys take the BEST self portraits!!! I am lucky if I get half my head in the shot (not that my head is gigantic or anything, but my aim is always WAY off!!! ) But ANYways . . .
Sounds like you guys had a nice quiet weekend away . . . and you got a shot of Andy at the table at each meal!!! 
Great report . . . I really enjoyed reading it and looking at the pictures!!!
Now, if you'll excuse me . . . I need to go finish my Branson report that I almost forgot about!!! 
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Sponsored links
Check out the many e-books by PassPorter. The e-books are free to download if you have a PassPorter's Club pass.
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09-20-2005, 06:18 AM
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#70
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Community Rank: Legend
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Newtown Square, PA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 23,859
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Re: Our Gatlinburg Labor Day Getaway - COMPLETED 9/17!
Melissa, what a great report!! The Pancake Pantry sounds  Thanks for sharing your weekend!! |
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09-20-2005, 09:44 AM
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#71
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Community Rank: Globetrotter 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Virginia
Posts: 3,498
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Re: Our Gatlinburg Labor Day Getaway - COMPLETED 9/17!
I ate at the pancake pantry years ago. Those pancakes are DELICIOUS!!!
Sounds like you had a great time!
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09-20-2005, 11:00 PM
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#72
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Community Rank: Legend
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Dreaming of the Future
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 24,867
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Re: Our Gatlinburg Labor Day Getaway - COMPLETED 9/17!
Sounds like you had a blast!
Amy
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Sponsored links
Check out the many e-books by PassPorter. The e-books are free to download if you have a PassPorter's Club pass.
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09-20-2005, 11:30 PM
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#73
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,547
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Re: Our Gatlinburg Labor Day Getaway - COMPLETED 9/17!
I just got all caught up, and what a great report, Melissa! I love all the pictures - the view from your balcony was GORGEOUS. And the pictures of Andy by, and on, the statue were too funny! I'mg lad you guys had fun, you're so cute together! |
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09-21-2005, 05:52 PM
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#74
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Community Rank: Globetrotter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,651
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Re: Our Gatlinburg Labor Day Getaway - COMPLETED 9/17!
Thanks for such a great trip report! I, too, am a big Gatlinburg fan. We almost stayed at Rocky Waters last summer, but went with a place a little cheaper. But alas, a cheaper price meant no riverfront room!
I never thought of The Village as being similar to a World Showcase pavilion, but now that you mention it, I agree. And I always enjoy shopping there. I had no idea Pancake Pantry was that popular - we ate at Atrium Pancakes last time, at light 3, because our hotel was right above it. It was pretty good.
We've never eaten at Calhoun's. We always eat at Bennett's Pit BBQ, at the far end of River Road, and at Alamo Steakhouse, out Highway 321 from the Parkway (light 3). I noticed last year that there are a lot of new restaurants in Gatlinburg over the past few years that sound so good - how on earth will we be able to choose?
Your aquarium pictures turned out really nice and very colorful. We saw the sting ray bay dive show but I did not realize they had a show at the reef as well. We will have to check it out next time we're up there.
Thanks again for the report, and all the nice pictures!
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09-21-2005, 06:13 PM
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#75
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Community Rank: Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Michigan's Upper Peninsula
Posts: 27,691
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Re: Our Gatlinburg Labor Day Getaway - COMPLETED 9/17!
[ QUOTE ]
(Side note... got that thing home and realized the dishwasher in our apt. is not made of metal so the silly thing doesn't stick to it. I had to stick it on the fridge so now we must reference the fridge to find information about the dishes )
[/ QUOTE ]
 That is so something I would do.
Great report, Melissa. Sounds like a great time and great food |
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