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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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03-20-2005, 10:39 AM
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#151
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,547
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Re: The AP adventure - THREAD 7 OF 7 - UPDATED 3/11!
Beaches and Cream looks SO good...we definitely have to try it on our trip in July! I'm glad you had a fun, relaxing Christmas Eve... I can't wait to hear all about your Christmas!
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Sponsored links
| | PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! 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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03-20-2005, 11:08 AM
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#152
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Community Rank: Trailblazer
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Chicago Illinois
Posts: 5,421
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Re: The AP adventure - THREAD 7 OF 7 - UPDATED 3/11!
You really make me want to try Beaches & Cream. Looks delicious! Great update. Can't wait for Christmas day.
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03-20-2005, 12:35 PM
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#153
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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: The AP adventure - THREAD 7 OF 7 - UPDATED 3/11!
Great update Cheryl!! That sundae looks so good! The Beach Club is really a beautiful place!
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03-20-2005, 01:08 PM
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#154
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 7,569
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Re: The AP adventure - THREAD 7 OF 7 - UPDATED 3/11!
That ice cream is amazing! My kids are very envious. Can't wait to hear about Christmas Day!
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03-20-2005, 05:13 PM
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#155
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RED SOX NATION!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854
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Re: The AP adventure - THREAD 7 OF 7 - UPDATED 3/11!
What a great update Cheryl Glad Delores was able to wait on you again Great pictures too I wish we had made it down to the YC to see their decorations
More please
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03-20-2005, 05:51 PM
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#156
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Faith, Trust, Pixie Dust
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 34,171
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Re: The AP adventure - THREAD 7 OF 7 - UPDATED 3/11!
Another great update Cheryl! That ice cream looks great!
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Sponsored links
| | PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! 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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03-20-2005, 11:03 PM
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#157
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Community Rank: Jetsetter
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Colonia, NJ
Concierge Level: 2
Posts: 2,517
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Re: The AP adventure - THREAD 7 OF 7 - UPDATED 3/11!
Yummy, that sundae looked fantastic!! Very neat Christmas Eve dinner!
I'm loving all your pics and experiences. I hope someday we'll be able to do Christmas week at Disney but until then, your reports are the very next best thing! Oh and I was happy to see a picture of Art! I was looking for him when we at the BCV in mid-Nov so perhaps he was out sick at that time. Glad to hear he's back and as smiley as ever!!
Looking forward to hearing about Christmas Day!!
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03-21-2005, 01:56 AM
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#158
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PassPorter Message Board Manager PassPorter Guide Author
Community Rank: Legend VIP
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285
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Re: The AP adventure - THREAD 7 OF 7 - UPDATED 3/11!
Saturday 25 December – part one: Santa calls and an early morning dash to Epcot!
Original plans:
Lunch – Fresh, 11.30 a.m.
Dinner – California Grill, 7.10 p.m.
No plans for the day, although I know we’ll certainly avoid the Magic Kingdom! If it’s nice weather, we’ll probably enjoy Stormalong Bay for a while and we might head into Epcot for a while. Here’s hoping for a window seat at the California Grill!
I was awake not much after 7.00 and was keen to get up and see what Santa had brought us this year. That’s one of the things that I love about spending Christmas Day at a Disney resort – you usually get something left on your door by old St. Nick and, sure enough, today was no exception. A WDW bag with candy sticks and chocolate in it – a lovely touch.
I figured that the parks would be busy, as they usually are on Christmas Day, so suggested an early start. Epcot was on early opening today, so it seemed like a perfect choice to me. We were out of our room by 7.50 and when we got to International Gateway, it still hadn’t opened. That did annoy me a bit, as previously we’ve been let in about 10 minutes before the official opening time here, as the Cast Members know that it takes you about 10 minutes to walk to part of Epcot that’s actually open, but that didn’t happen this morning.
There were only 13 of us, in three groups, waiting to go in, so I figured it might be quite quiet at Epcot and I was right. When we got to Test Track, they were still testing it and the standb wait was already 25 minutes, so we grabbed FastPasses, which would be good in 35 minutes time. We used that time to go and get breakfast at the Electric Umbrella, French toast for me and a fried breakfast for Mark, all of which came to $9.57. Just as we finished, our FastPass time opened up.
As we walked in, the first thing we noticed was how quiet it was inside:
… but we found out why just as why it was so quiet just as we were about to board: “vehicle testing has been suspended due to a technical fault” OK, so our no wait time turned into 20 minutes, but during that time, we got talking to a guy in line behind us. It was his first time on Test Track, but he was a test engineer on Spaceship Earth when it opened in 1982. He pretty much confirmed what the rumours have suggested for a long time about that attraction – that they can’t really take the ride out because it’s integral to the structure of Spaceship Earth. As far as I’m concerned, that’s good news! He also told us how they had to add a lot more motors to get the ride to work. Originally, they thought they needed about 200, but then it became clear that another 100 were in fact required.
Soon enough, we were off for our test ride and, despite my fears, it was a good ride and we got round without any problems. I was convinced that it would break down halfway round, after we’d waited so long for it to get going.
The same thing couldn’t be said of the people who were on just after us. As we came out, we heard the squeal of emergency brakes and watched a car grind to a half on the fast 60 mph section just above the entrance:
We walked over to Universe of Energy, but were told that, due to having “technical difficulties”, they were temporarily closed. Obviously not a good day for Epcot today. As we walked back past Test Track, the poor family trapped in the car were still there, this time they were being helped by a Cast Member. The sick part of us had to go over and watch:
This was not a good advert for Test Track. From there, we headed to Future World East and got diverted into Innoventions, as Mark was convinced we hadn’t seen this one, but of course we had with Maureen and Kevan. We sent them a quick postcard as there was no-one around and then Mark found the video games. I was able to get through a couple of levels on the Monsters Inc. game, before it really got way too complicated for me. Why was it that I followed the instructions to get Sully to jump on the boxes and it wouldn’t work? When Mark did it, it worked just fine. Absolutely typical!
Later on, I saw a small kid next to Mark and the speed that his fingers went across that console was just frightening. There is no way I could ever be that fast! Watching him just made me feel very old! Mark was in there for about half an hour, before I finally managed to drag him away. Hey, it was Christmas Day and we had better things to do than play in there all day…
Next: not enough Turtle talking and sampling the Mediterranean market…
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03-21-2005, 03:56 AM
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#159
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 13,146
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Re: The AP adventure - THREAD 7 OF 7 - UPDATED 3/11!
Glad you had a good ride on TT before it broke down, that thing is always breaking down isn't it? . Can't wait to hear about the rest of Christmas Day .
Karen
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03-21-2005, 05:48 AM
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#160
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RED SOX NATION!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854
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Re: The AP adventure - THREAD 7 OF 7 - UPDATED 3/11!
What a quiet start to Epcot today Cheryl Can't wait for more
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03-21-2005, 06:36 AM
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#161
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Club Ichthyologist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Merrimack, NH
Concierge Level: 5
Posts: 2,566
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Re: The AP adventure - THREAD 7 OF 7 - UPDATED 3/11!
[ QUOTE ]
I really need some tips on how to get into Beaches & Cream!!! Every time I try, it's too long of a wait!
[/ QUOTE ]
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03-21-2005, 08:30 AM
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#162
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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: The AP adventure - THREAD 7 OF 7 - UPDATED 3/11!
Gosh, Cheryl, I'm sorry that the rides were so messed up this morning! You are right about you guys being sick taking a picture of that poor family that was stuck! I am also video game challenged, so I can totally relate to not being able to work those games!! My kids somehow automatically know what to do!
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Sponsored links
| | PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! 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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03-21-2005, 09:27 AM
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#163
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 7,569
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Re: The AP adventure - THREAD 7 OF 7 - UPDATED 3/11!
So you just HAD to stop and watch the car wreck (ok not REALLY a wreck). And of course you had to play on Christmas Day. It's what EVERYONE is doing.
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03-21-2005, 09:52 AM
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#164
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Community Rank: Jetsetter
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Colonia, NJ
Concierge Level: 2
Posts: 2,517
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Re: The AP adventure - THREAD 7 OF 7 - UPDATED 3/11!
How cool that Santa visited you! Not so cool about that poor family stuck in Test Track! DD6 wants to try this one next time - why do I just know that this will happen to us with my luck? LOL
Can't wait to hear more about your Christmas fun!
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03-21-2005, 10:24 AM
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#165
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: NC
Posts: 12,270
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Re: The AP adventure - THREAD 7 OF 7 - UPDATED 3/11!
Just catching up again Cheryl! What a wonderful way to spend Christmas Eve and day! Sorry to hear about TT... Andy and I also spent way too much time playing video games... I couldn't figure out The Haunted Mansion to save my life!
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