The $16,000 "Free" Disney Trip **Updated 12/11** COMPLETE - Page 17 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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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.
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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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Great updates, P-Sha. I really need to get back to DL one day . . . . It's only day one and you guys are already having an absolute blast!!! Can't wait to hear more. . . . .
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How can I be so in love with this tr already? And seeing those pictures of Zack and reading about his antics makes me miss him! I laughed out loud (at work ) reading about him preparing for Mulan!
And the view from your room is just amazing! Wow!
You really should have taken a picture of the VIP/supposed basketball player and sent it to Thom. The boy knows his sports and could have told you in a second who it was.
Let me be the first to wish you :happ ybirthday:...are you finally old enough to legally order all those FABs?
Dani! And if I'm not old enough, I can always get DM to buy 'em for me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by disneydani
Love two updates in one day...you are awesome and putting the rest of us TRers to shame! Sounds like blast at dinner and a perfect room. Now that you have stayed at both, which do you prefer....DLH or GC?
danielle
Wow, that's a tough choice. The GC is so beautiful, but the DLH has so many Disney touches. I think I'd give DLH a slight edge (which may or may not be because of how often I would just bump into Goofy ).
Quote:
Originally Posted by MattUGA
Princess Sharon, you need to apologize. I got smacked by Bethany when I commented that Jasmine in LA was a lot hotter than Jasmine in Orlando. Not cool for setting me up like that. hahaha
Matt! You should know better!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caldercup
I heard the story of the "rubbing of the pants," but it was delightful to read all about it again.
And, ShaSha... that new hair cut is just DIVINE! Seriously, you do look about 22 years old with that -- I bet you're getting carded at every FAB spot!
'Course... as of tomorrow (well, 15 minutes from this writing), you'll be so much older.
Eileen
That was the hardest I laughed the entire trip! And thanks to everyone for the compliments about my hair! I like it too! But I'm wondering if I'll get carded twice as much now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcc0313
Well it is 12:12 EST so I guess that means I can wish you a .
Meg!
Quote:
Originally Posted by CastleWishes
I do hope you can find it in you to stop being a communist!
It looks like Goofy was a blast and it's so clear that you we're loving it.
Oh, and ...I hope it's an awesome one!!
I think I've been cured of all communist behavior (but I did require another lesson or two from Zack - stay tuned to the TR!) And for the birthday wishes!
Quote:
Originally Posted by wdwmom23boys
First of all, let me say... Hope you have a great day!
Quote:
Originally Posted by greentie
It sounds like you had some fun character interactions at dinner!
ps
Quote:
Originally Posted by disney_duke
First things first - !!!!
You scored another awesome view from your room (ala BWI). Your dinner looked like SOOOOO much fun!! And I'm glad you went out again after the fireworks to enjoy some more rides, despite the late hour (sleepyhead!). Oh, and those tolietries are adorable..... I would have taken a bunch! Looking forward to more!!
Tanya!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
What a great night!! Glad you guys had a great time at Goofy's Kitchen!! Love the pictures!! More please
And Happy Birthday!!
Marnie!
Quote:
Originally Posted by tkd lisa
Happy birthday!!!!! And a great update! I loved the story about Mulan. Karen will definitely need to print this out and share it with his future wife.
Didn't monorail red look so COOOL????? That was the only one I saw when I visited, and I was so surprised at how different it was.
And I love the pool pictures. What a neat place!
Lisa. The new monorails looked really cool. I saw monorail red (and got to ride it once) and monorail blue.
Quote:
Originally Posted by olendl01
Happy Birthday! It's my DS birthday today too!
The trip report is great, I am enjoying your fun!
And to your DS!
Quote:
Originally Posted by triddle67
Happy Birthday Princess Sharon! Have a great day!
P.S. Itsa my birthday too!
twinkie!
Quote:
Originally Posted by elisa1006
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey
Happy Birthday!! I'm so glad you've started your TR! I love reading about your trips!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grammy Grumpy
Make sure you enjoy a FAB today to celebrate!
November bdays are the best (mine was Sunday, DGrdS #1 was yesterday!!)
Great TR! I agree - I LOVE the bottles on the shampoo, etc. I was able to bring home a couple of extra sets that I gave to others as souveniers!
Keep it comin'
Barb! And a belated to you and your DGrdS!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jillybean
sweet lady!!!
How can I be so in love with this tr already? And seeing those pictures of Zack and reading about his antics makes me miss him! I laughed out loud (at work ) reading about him preparing for Mulan!
And the view from your room is just amazing! Wow!
You really should have taken a picture of the VIP/supposed basketball player and sent it to Thom. The boy knows his sports and could have told you in a second who it was.
Jill
for the birthday wishes, Jill!Why didn't I think of texting Thom?! Duh!
__________________
Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
You are Kassie are birthday buddies - although she's one day later and several years younger! LOL I told her and she grinned. She still remembers you fondly!
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Ok - I am all caught up!
First of all... Sharon! I sure hope you had a magical day!
Now, about this trip report! I am lovin it! It sounds like you are having so
much fun! that picture of Zach and Jasmine. But, oh my gosh, I cried I laughed so hard when I read the part about Zach wanting a picture with Mulan and he was too wet to stand up! Oh that boy! Too funny!
What a great room - and with such a wonderful view!
I am so glad you have started this trip report! I can't wait for more!
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Debbie
It's only day one and you guys are already having an absolute blast!!! 
Can't wait to hear more. . . . .
Danny and I at Epcot 8/14/08
Happy Birthday Princess Sharon! 
Have a great day!
, 
I'm so glad you've started your TR! I love reading about your trips!
) reading about him preparing for Mulan! 
Dani! And if I'm not old enough, I can always get DM to buy 'em for me. 
Matt! You should know better! 
Why didn't I think of texting Thom?! Duh! 
It sounds like you are having so
that picture of Zach and Jasmine. But, oh my gosh, I cried I laughed so hard when I read the part about Zach wanting a picture with Mulan and he was too wet to stand up! 
Oh that boy! Too funny!
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