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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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Thanks for the info! One of the hotels that seems really highly recommended on Maui is also a Hilton... everyone seems to rave about them in Hawaii! I feel like everywhere I read says the same things you said about the Big Island... if an excursion day is accessible do it, but other than that you can see other volcanoes/lava/greenery elsewhere. I also think Oahu would be a nice vacation but would like to save it for a time I can try Aulani. I am sure I will feel like you do once we go and want to return. Is there a certain company you used for day trips and whatnot when you were in Oahu?
I think the only active volcano is on the big island. The are a number of craters on the other islands. When we went to Hawaii it was so long ago there was not much on the internet if there was an internet at all. We went through a local travel agent and through a company called pleasant hawaiian. We took a circle island tour of Oahu on a bus which was interesting. Everything else we did on our own with a rental car. We also did everything on our own on the big island. I think if you do a little research before you go you can probably do everything on your own if you have a car. That way you can stay at a place as long or as little as you like and tour at your own pace.
Oh I meant Haleakala... (spelling might be wrong on that one) the huge dormant volcano that takes up most of East Maui... which sounds awesome. And catching a sunrise or sunset over the volcano is on every to-do list I have found! lol!
Plus we can head over to see the sites at Moloka'i or Lana'i through the ferry.
Thanks for the group info. I always use a travel agent but like to be an expert myself by the time I contact her! lol!
Okay so here is what I have learned this weekend for all of you who might be lurking with your own Hawaii questions.
First of all, there are 8 inhabited Hawaiian islands:
Niʻihau-- This is the smallest island at 70 square miles. It is not a high tourist spot and is nicknamed the "Forbidden Island" since for a very long time you could not visit here unless you lived or worked there.
Kauaʻi-- Very popular for vacationers who would like to be secluded from other tourists. There are a lot of resorts that can be found off the beaten path on the "garden isle". The Napali Coast is the most popular and lush area.
Oʻahu-- This is the main island to most folks visiting Hawaii, this is where you will find the state's capital of Honolulu. This also where you can find Pearl Harbor, and eventually Disney's Aulani resort. Most of the pop culture images found in Hawaii are actually from the island of O'ahu. Cultural centers and museums are abundant in the most-populated Hawaiian island as well as the beaches that Hawaii is known for can be found all over on the "gathering isle".
Molokaʻi-- Often thought of as the last little bit of 'real' Hawaii since tourism has been staved off and the island is actually quite UNinterested in attracting tourists. A lot to offer for the outdoorsy types- hikes, mule rides, etc on the "friendly isle". Oh and I think the Hula was invented here.
Lanaʻi-- Unlike the other Hawaiian islands, Lana'i is more desert than rainforest. It is only 141 square miles and there are no street lights since there are only 3500 inhabitants here! Usually used as a weekend/day trip for people who are staying in Maui or Moloka'i. Nicknamed the "pineapple isle".
Kaho'olawe-- Although this is one of the major islands it is not a tourist area and as of the early 90s can only be used for Native Hawaiian purposes (fishing, environmental restoration, historic preservation, and cultural/spiritual uses). It can not be used for commercial purposes and is a volcanic island. The entire island is protected as the Kaho'olawe Island Preserve.
Maui-- This is the 2nd largest island and with Lana'i, Kahoolawe, and Moloka'i makes up the Maui island area. Nicknamed the "Valley isle" one of the most spectacular sites is at its highest point of Haleakala. The park here is supposed to be one of the most beautiful sites in all of the islands. The road to Hana is a must drive for its distinctive and diverse ecology.
& The Big Island-- This is obviously the biggest Island in the chain and is actually called Hawai'i but people confuse the name with the name for the chain of Hawaiian islands so this is why they call it Big Island. It is the only island with active volcanoes and the home of Volcano National Park. Tourism has really risen here in the past few decades and it along with Oahu and Maui are the most visited islands in the chain. Almost everything I have read about the Big Island also mentions that because of Volcano National Park and the active volcanoes there there is a sulfer smell in the air here.
How I narrowed down my choices....
Of the 8 islands you can not visit Kahoolawe so we are down to 7...
Of the 7 I knew I would not be interested in the more secluded Niihau or Kauai since I have never been to Hawaii and don't want to relax in seclusion on a beach, I want to explore and see as much as possible...
Of the 5 remaining I knew that if we ever return after our trip I would chose Oahu because by the time we ever came back we could stay at Aulani...
And of the remaining islands Maui can be grouped with Moloka'i and Lana'i... so it was between the Maui area and the Big Island.
I feel like since so many people island-hop with cruises and we are not cruisers Maui is the perfect choice. We can take a day trip to Lana'i or Moloka'i by ferry and still have all of Maui to explore. I think it has a little bit of every island. We can visit the huge dormant volcano in the east, the rainforests that sourround it, the multitudes of beautiful beaches, and enjoy the Hawaiian culture.
Plus some ex-friends of mine who like to STILL try to upstage the things DH or want to do have been to the Big Island which turns me off to it a little.
Mel, we rented a jeep and did the road to Hana. Sooo many interesting things to see along the way, including black sand beaches. The volcano you mentioned is the one you can be picked up before the crack of dawn to watch the sunrise on top (bring a blanket as it's chilly) then ride a bike down.
The Hyatt was just down the beach from ours and it was highly recommended. The nice thing about our hotel was the beds and the pool was great.
Make sure you book when you can go whale watching and be sure to bring home pineapples. I'm telling you, they are spectacular!!
Mel, we rented a jeep and did the road to Hana. Sooo many interesting things to see along the way, including black sand beaches. The volcano you mentioned is the one you can be picked up before the crack of dawn to watch the sunrise on top (bring a blanket as it's chilly) then ride a bike down.
The Hyatt was just down the beach from ours and it was highly recommended. The nice thing about our hotel was the beds and the pool was great.
Make sure you book when you can go whale watching and be sure to bring home pineapples. I'm telling you, they are spectacular!!
I was thinking if we rented a car a Jeep would also be the way to go so we can have the convertible aspect! And I am psyched to see Haleakala! I wish we were going to Hawaii for our 1st anniversary this summer instead of having to wait until next year! lol! But staying at the Poly this Fall is sure going to get me psyched!! lol!
I think that one of my guides recommends two different Hyatts... one is on the West Coast and one is more southern. Oh and our anniversary is in July... not sure if this will be Whale season but I am sure we will be blown away by the snorkeling no matter when we go! So exciting!!!
That is so funny about the bikr ride down the volcano. We heard we should do it and know people who did and they thought it was fabulous, but it sounded a little dicey to us so we opted out.
That is so funny about the bikr ride down the volcano. We heard we should do it and know people who did and they thought it was fabulous, but it sounded a little dicey to us so we opted out.
LOL! Thats what I had originally said to Rob. I swear, he teases me all the time and says that I don't know how to ride a bike... thats how much I do not enjoy it. I will go for a walk, a hike, a jog, and be completely happy.... but I just don't enjoy biking for some reason. But anyways, now I have a legit excuse not to do it!
LOL! Thats what I had originally said to Rob. I swear, he teases me all the time and says that I don't know how to ride a bike... thats how much I do not enjoy it. I will go for a walk, a hike, a jog, and be completely happy.... but I just don't enjoy biking for some reason. But anyways, now I have a legit excuse not to do it!
We stayed on Oahu. Had two weeks of glorious weather, evening beachfront traditional entertainment, saw an awesome illusion show (DS is a magician - guess that's why we love Vegas too), Pearl Harbour is not to be missed, pineapple plantations, SeaLife Park swimming with dolphins, visiting the zoo (not as good as aussie zoos), Diamond Head volcano trek, watching the sunset on the Pacific and generally just being at Waikiki.
Oh yeah we also got a Tshirt from the Red Dirt company...
I grew up on Honolulu and my parents went "island hopping" sometimes. They took us with them to The Big Island on one trip which was loads of fun. We walked through an empty lava tube, went on the crater of one of the volcano's, swam at a black sand beach and a few other things I cant quite recall.
Oahu has several other things to do as well. There is Hu'nama Bay which is a live coral reef where you can go and feed the fish. They come up and eat right out of the palm of your hand. There is The Crystal Ice Palace if you would like to ice skate. The Bishop Museum is full of Hawaiian Culture and history as well as Queen Liliokilani (sp?) Palace. A lot of people who go visit this island dont go further then down town and can be disappointed. Renting a car and driving along the Highway's is a must, you might find something wonderful! Also Saturday's/Sunday's at the Aloha Bowl for their flea markets are a must for any tourist type souvineers at cheeper then tourist spot prices (5 coral necklaces were like 10 bucks when I was a kid). There is also Sea Life Park while I'm thinking about it! I know this information is late but I also know it might help someone in their future planing.
Hawaii - my favorite subject! Have been to Hawaii a few times now and we just love it. A couple of forums that deal alot with Hawaii that I like are: www.about.com/travel and www.tripadvisor.com . If you would like to look at some of my photos from one of our trips check this out: www.limeia.shutterfly.com Have fun! I frequent the "about" site alot and can answer questions there.
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