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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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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.
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Sorry to hear (almost) all of you've all been sick. Relieved to hear that everyone is on the mend. Be sure to get plenty of rest so that you don't relapse!
Wish I could drop off a casserole or something to make it easier for you--I remember what it's like when all 3 kids get sick, and then I would always catch it too....Take good care of yourself!
Sorry you all got sick, but thank goodness you're on your way to recovery. I'm also excited about Pandora although my kids aren't at all. I tried watching Avatar the other night and realized how "old" looking the computer animations are. I think though it's going to be spectacular.
Too bad everyone was feeling so sick with the flu! Glad you got it taken care of and everyone feels better soon!
Nice going with the ROL dining package at TH. I'm looking forward to this and Pandora and glad I will be able to experience this in October!
Thanks Dave! I wasn't even thinking it'd be open, so when they announced it I was extremely happy. I usually have to wait to experience something new at Disney, as I'm never there right after they open (7DMT, new Fantasyland, new Soarin, Frozen Ever After, etc. )
Glad you were able to switch your dining/park plans around to get in the show package. Even happier to hear you are all on the mend.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
I'm glad it all worked out. I could've gotten a fastpass but I like the idea of the dining package better and since I was already planning on eating at TH, it was a win - win.
Your work to get the TH ROL dining package was a perfect example of a Disney pro at work. Awesome job! We're already FB friends so I'll be watching for your updates.
Sorry to hear the flu came to visit. It is absolutely no joke.
So happy you will get to enjoy the world of Pandora. I absolutely can't wait to see what's going on with the headliners there. I'm not a fan of IP-themed lands in concept, but having experienced Treasure Cove in Shanghai, I see that they can really be done right. I love the world of Pandora (who wouldn't) and I can't wait to see what they have created for us.
Thanks! I'm pretty sure Disney did an incredible job on this. Even non-Avatar fans will love it,
Sorry to hear (almost) all of you've all been sick. Relieved to hear that everyone is on the mend. Be sure to get plenty of rest so that you don't relapse!
Wish I could drop off a casserole or something to make it easier for you--I remember what it's like when all 3 kids get sick, and then I would always catch it too....Take good care of yourself!
Aww, that's so sweet! Thank you! My dad did the cooking the two days I was too weak. It was funny because he'd come to my house and hand the food over at the front door, with his t-shirt over his mouth and nose, and would not come in. He clearly didn't want to catch it.
Sorry you all got sick, but thank goodness you're on your way to recovery. I'm also excited about Pandora although my kids aren't at all. I tried watching Avatar the other night and realized how "old" looking the computer animations are. I think though it's going to be spectacular.
I've tried, I've really tried to watch Avatar but it's just not my thing. Just like with Star Wars. I tried watching the first movie and got bored. I may be burned for this.
You know they say that when you're down or in need, that's when you know who your real friends are. Well, this last week was proof of that. Mind you, I wasn't expecting anything from anyone, really. We were contagious and no one could visit. But, in the week we were all sick, my MIL didn't call to check on us once. Not even to ask about her grandchildren. I know she has a lot on her plate with my FIL's condition but come on. She called yesterday to say she'd be going to church with Arben and didn't even ask how we were or if we were feeling better. In the entire week, I received 1 message asking about our health (from hubby's family), and it was from my SIL. The rest... These are the things that irritate me but I don't know why this surprises me. It's always been like this. Then they wonder why my kids aren't as close to them. Oh and they live close to me (SIL next door, BIL and MIL next to her). Anyways...
On the other hand, my parents and sister were always checking on us. My dad cooked for us on Thursday and Friday. Then he'd come over to drop the food at lunchtime. He'd hand over the food at the front door, never entering the house and wearing his t-shirt over his mouth and nose. It was quite hilarious to see him. Another day and I think he would've bought a decontamination suit.
Ok, enough of the drama. Let's continue with this PTR.
Using a Travel Agent
On our first trips to Disney, where we stayed off-site, I always used a local travel agent. But to me, he wasn't as Disney knowledgeable as I'd like. But I was a newbie, so what did I know. Then the 2 times we stayed on-site, I booked everything myself and made all the payments and changes.
This time, after much thinking, I decided to use TA. After much research, here on the boards, I decided to go with one of the TAs listed here on Passporter. I emailed her and she immediately responded. When I was ready to book (the same day I received the quote) I emailed her again and it was all set. I had already quoted myself so I knew what the prices were. Easy peasy.
So, how do I like using a TA that I cannot meet in person? It has been great! It is stress free, as I don't have to worry about calling to get deals applied or to make changes or payments. When the deal came out for my dates, she immediately applied it to my package and then emailed telling me about the savings.
The online thing, not being able to see that person, made me hesitant at first. But, I totally recommend it. It's easy and communication is as frequent as you need it. I've done everything through emails and the response is always fast. It really makes planning a trip much more relaxing. And the best part, I didn't have to be on the phone for an hour on the day the deals came out. I just waited for her email.
I will definitely use a TA again for future trips.
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Glad you got it taken care of and everyone feels better soon! 
I'm looking forward to this and Pandora and glad I will be able to experience this in October! 
We are already FB friends so I look forward to the sneak peaks. 
He clearly didn't want to catch it. 
I tried watching the first movie and got bored. 
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