Ditching the Hubbies for Mousefest - Final Thoughts COMPLETED 3/4/08 - Page 19 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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While pictures of you two with your donkey and tiger warm me to my little toes (especially as Tiff looks like she's mid "bounce"), I have to say that I love the fact that Cinderella looks like she's standing on a box in this picture!
Next to Tiff, she looks like (as Karen says) GIGANTOR! And the updo just makes her look TALLER!
Sad to see this wonderful TR coming to an end -- what an adventure it was!
What a shame this trip report has come to an end, but what a great way to finish it with an awesome way to finish with a great meal at the Crystal Palace. Just a shame that you missed out on that Dream Team opportunity.
Great update and photos - Andy peered over my shoulder while I was reading and said "are they sisters by any chance?" He didn't believe me at first when I told you weren't So sad this report has come to an end but looking forward to reading your final thoughts.
sorry that your trip is ending dawn
glad that you and tiff had such a wonderful time together
can't wait to hear your final thoughts
hurry back with more
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Sorry to see this TR coming to an end. It was so much fun to hang out with you two wonderful ladies. You had a great last day, but that really stinks that you had to turn down the Dream Team. Looking forward to your final thoughts.
__________________
Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
All good things must come to an end and unfortunately, this trip had to as well. We had an amazing trip and got to spend some time with so many PassPorters. It made me realize even more what a great community this is!!
So now for my final thoughts on this trip. We’ll see if Tiff will stop by and comment as well. (Ahem…Tiff????)
Northwest: I’ve used NWA many times and have never had any issues with them. Originally we had non-stop flights both to and from Orlando, but the flight home got changed to an earlier flight with a layover in Memphis. Not a big deal but I just prefer non-stop flights.
Disney’s Magical Express: Another successful journey with DME. We were at our resort within 45 minutes of landing and our bags arrived while we were out in the parks. Gotta love this free service!
Saratoga Springs Resort: Tiff was excited to show-off her “home” resort, and it did not disappoint. An absolutely beautiful resort. From check-in to checkout, we had wonderful service. We stayed in The Grandstands, the newest of the areas, and our room was close to a bus stop and a short walk to the lobby and Artist’s Palette. The room itself was great with a queen bed and pull out sofa. Plenty of room for two adults and luckily plenty of outlets for all of our electronic gadgets! Tiff for giving me the opportunity to stay at your favorite place that I might not have stayed at otherwise!
Mousefest 2007: Even though I was there in 2005, I didn’t do any Mousefest activities. Tiff and I didn’t overload ourselves and we stuck to the PassPorter meets overall. Every meet was great from Welcome to Mousefest to the AC Meet, it was great to rub elbows so to speak with old friends and new. After taking in and working the MegaMouseMeet, I truly saw all the hard work Jennifer, Dave, Sara and all the other online communities put into event. Huge kudos and out to them!
Dining: We used the DDP and found it to be a great value as none of the changes had taken place yet. Below are my takes on our dining choices.
1900 Park Fare: Typical buffet style offerings and good; however, the characters make this meal in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong, Cinderella and Prince Charming are great but Lady Tremaine, Anastasia, and Drizella rule!! Also dining with the CLT made it even better!
Chef Mickey’s: Again typical breakfast buffets but it’s all about the characters. This was my first time eating breakfast here and wasn’t disappointed. Great interaction!
Sci-Fi Dine In Theatre: The theming of this restaurant is awesome and I dining in the cars. I could make a meal on the chili and caramel cheesecake.
San Angel Inn: I adore the Cantina de San Angel outside the pavilion and love the atmosphere of the San Angel Inn. I wasn’t overally impressed this time around but will keep the door open for another try down the road. I am not a fan of flan though so will definitely have to find another dessert.
Whispering Canyon Café: Originally, we were going to Raglan Road but had a change in plans and dined with the CLT here instead. Food didn’t disappoint all the way around. Love the antics, love the restaurant!
Crystal Palace: Breakfast buffet again but it! Plus my favorite character resides there and any chance to spend some time with my gloomy pal Eeyore, I will take. Never have been disappointed here and will return every trip!
There are so many memories from this trip that I will never forget. But I have to give another shout out to Karen for the Secret Quest around the World Showcase. That afternoon is and will be a highlight for years to come! again Karen for inviting us along on the little adventure.
I didn’t get many souvenirs on this trip (other than lots and lots of pictures) but I did snap a picture of the back of my sweatshirt and the scrapbook that we had to have for this trip and took forever to find.
Classic, IMHO!
So, it’s over. Thanks to everyone that has read and commented on my trip report and I appreciate them all! But don’t fret, as I have another TR working on my most recent trip!
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.