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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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
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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.
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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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As teens, my boys much preferred Universal. They like thrill rides and US and IOA have some great ones. I also find as a ride wimp, I can do more of the rides at US and IOA because they are not all coaster like. I love Spiderman and Men in Black, which to me is a better, more mature version of Buzz Lightyear.
I personally prefer the Universal Hotels over Disney (I have stayed at both deluxes and moderates). They have a much more luxurious feel to me and I have found the service to be consistently outstanding and the hotels meticulously clean. I have not always found this to be the case at Disney. It may be because we have spent more time at Disney so we have experienced more negative events. During my last year"s (Jan 2010) stay at the AKL our room was not cleaned at all one day, they did not provide extra towels I requested and you could not fully close the bathroom door without the light going out and maintenance was not able to fix it. The year before we found the CRB food court to be a mess (MKL weekend). I know that sometimes things happen and I think they could at US, too but I don't think I would totally bash either park because sometimes things don't go right.
I have had Disney tickets not work and was actually pushed by a Disney CM when I didn't realize I needed to show my room key a second time to get into EMH.
Have I stopped going to Disney? No.
Go to US and IOA and see them as what they are and you should enjoy them. They have great attractions and wonderful shows. I would never stay off site because of FOTL access. You can breeze through the parks and do rides multiple times in a row.
Oh, that stinks! I hate that for you! I know what you mean. Don't compare the two, but once you have been to WDW, it is hard to not compare it. We completely quit going to our Six Flags over Texas that is only 30 minutes from us here because of the fact that they are so rude (again, we were comparing it to WDW) and the rides, were always either broken or poorly managed. The Bugs Bunny and Yosemite Sam on this one ride for kids has had a huge cobweb coming out of Sam's nose for well over 4 years. We haven't been back in 3 years, but it was there the 4 years in a row we went...we even pointed it out everytime we got off the ride. Like they cared? ha! I am sorry you had such a bad experience. DH and I will be going on a Wed-Friday, so I am hoping those are good days. I read that on Frommer's. We were originally planning to go on a Mon-Wed but Frommer's said those were worse than weekends during June for some reason. I am just hoping that I can get into something at WWoHP because I LOVE HP and DH hasn't the foggiest about what any of it is about. I am also hoping that I can get a schedule pinned down. I think I will go in to my AAA here in town tomorrow and see if one of the TA's there can point me in a good direction for tickets, scheduling my time,etc.
SOS, I didn't mean rack rate, silly! Those were the rates I was given at their website! That were "special rates" for various dates I was checking. I never pay rack for anything. I usually check Kayak.com or hotwire for a good deal at hotels or we stay free using our SPG points, but from what everyone is saying, it looks like we will need to stay on property in order to get it all done in the 3 days we are there. Whew!
The last time we did this while the DS was at camp, we did WDW and so we could stay in the parks all day our last day, we took the last flight home that evening before we were to pick up DS at camp early the next morning (and camp is a 2 hour drive from our home) and when we arrived at the airport, the flight was cancelled and we walked up to the flight attendant and I started to cry! I was inconsolable. This was our son's first time at a camp that he didn't know anyone at and I hadn't heard from him all week, etc. etc. The AA flight attendant at the gate was so moved by my tears that she put us in first class on another flight that flew into Houston and then gave us another flight into Dallas from Houston. Granted, we got home 4 hours after we were supposed to, with just enough time to come home, catch 4 hours of sleep and get up to drive to get DS, but it was worth it. My husband was so embarrassed and said, "Have you no shame???" ha! I was mortified that I wasn't going to make it to pick up my son on time and that he would think we abandoned him or had been killed in a wreck or something. He always thinks the worst. Too funny now that I look back on it, but now I am cutting it close AGAIN going Wed-Fri!
TMI, I know...but DH said I ought to not tempt fate again.
Thanks again for all of the info. I am hoping that by June the crowds will be much lower at WWoHP. Hoping being the key word here.
Charlie,
Okay, first off, I see your lab face...I got that same face from my yellow one moments ago when I got home from a shopping excursion only to find my son's brand new bedding torn to shreds. SHe had this excited look just like yours, too. Kind of like, "Look what I did, Mom! All for you!' How do you get angry with that??? Sheesh...on to the topic at hand...
I am actually looking forward to US and IOA, hate to admit it, but I am a wimp on rides, too. I ride everything at WDW except the ToT at MGM studios, but I did ride it 2 times. That is good. I can't say that I care that I didn't get to ride Rockin Roller Coaster this past Christmas when we went. I hate the take off. The rest of it, I can tolerate. I don't like outdoor coasters really though, I think. Indoor, I am okay for some reason. I think it is because I can't see what comes next so I don't get myself worked up into a frenzy. DS is worse than I am. He hates scary rides all together, but is trying to toughen up as much as he can. He makes himself ride one every year that is rougher than what he is used to. This trip to IOA/US is going to be for me to scout it out for a future trip with him. Before I lay down the money for tickets and take him! DH LOVES the scary rides. The scarier the better. He will get off and go right back on if he can. No hang time in between. He is going to love US/IOA as long as there are no long lines for anything.
Okay, can someone who tasted it tell me what the heck butter beer tastes like? It sounds absolutely disgusting! Is it buttery tasting? What does a butter beer cost in the souvenir mug? Everyone keeps saying they are high! One friend of ours who went to the WWoHP opening claimed it was a rip off and just another way to nickel and dime you. That is kind of the idea, I would think,but that is just me, I guess.
We go to WDW every year & we always go to US/IOA too. DH prefers it there. I am a huge Disney freak but even I like it too. Some things that I really like are on on-site hotels. We have stayed at the Hard Rock several times & the Royal Pacific as well several times. We loved them both. The fact that it is so close to the parks is wonderful. The express pass free with your room key is great. We typically get off of a favorite ride & get right back on. We have been going through AAA to get our room & tickets. We have gotten some good deals that way. Although we aren't as crazy about the food, we have some favorites. Monster Cafe for the theming, not the food is one. We like the food at Fennigan's & Mythos. In the evening we typically go to City Walk to eat. There are a lot of great choices there.
G,
I am pretty sure it will become a new favorite of mine, too. I really like the rides that aren't really "rides" but are more movies that really get you into it. I have seen that a few of those are popular at US so I am pretty sure I won't have too much that I will want to skip for the scare factor! DH loves the scarys so he will love the park better than WDW. He and DS are not big fans of the WDW other than the hotels. We have had some pretty bad experiences with the Dolphin in the past and were treated better at the Pop Century than we were at Dolphin. FAR better maid service at PC for sure! But Dolphin is free for us on SPG so we will be there from now on, it appears. I am afraid that DH will not want to go back to WDW now and will be comparing the two! ha! ha!
I am excited and can't wait to go now. This board has really got my engines roaring for this new theme park!
Wanetta
Charlie,
Okay, first off, I see your lab face...I got that same face from my yellow one moments ago when I got home from a shopping excursion only to find my son's brand new bedding torn to shreds. SHe had this excited look just like yours, too. Kind of like, "Look what I did, Mom! All for you!' How do you get angry with that??? Sheesh...on to the topic at hand...
I am actually looking forward to US and IOA, hate to admit it, but I am a wimp on rides, too. I ride everything at WDW except the ToT at MGM studios, but I did ride it 2 times. That is good. I can't say that I care that I didn't get to ride Rockin Roller Coaster this past Christmas when we went. I hate the take off. The rest of it, I can tolerate. I don't like outdoor coasters really though, I think. Indoor, I am okay for some reason. I think it is because I can't see what comes next so I don't get myself worked up into a frenzy. DS is worse than I am. He hates scary rides all together, but is trying to toughen up as much as he can. He makes himself ride one every year that is rougher than what he is used to. This trip to IOA/US is going to be for me to scout it out for a future trip with him. Before I lay down the money for tickets and take him! DH LOVES the scary rides. The scarier the better. He will get off and go right back on if he can. No hang time in between. He is going to love US/IOA as long as there are no long lines for anything.
Okay, can someone who tasted it tell me what the heck butter beer tastes like? It sounds absolutely disgusting! Is it buttery tasting? What does a butter beer cost in the souvenir mug? Everyone keeps saying they are high! One friend of ours who went to the WWoHP opening claimed it was a rip off and just another way to nickel and dime you. That is kind of the idea, I would think,but that is just me, I guess.
Thanks again!
Wanetta
Wanetta,
1st - I have a golden retreiver that does the same thing. Gotta love the face.
2nd - I don't do ANY scary rides. (I haven't even ridden Splash Mtn or BTMRR) So we didn't ride anything at IOA. All the rides at WWoHP are coasters. The ride in the castle (I hear) is very intense. (Dementors in your face kind of intense). Yeah - I'm a chicken.
Finally - Butterbeer ROCKS! It kind of tastes like butterscotch cream soda. You can get it frozen or just cold. My DH liked it frozen but I liked it straight. It is sort of expensive but if your going to WWoHP you really need to try it. It's about $15 per glass but that's for a souvenier mug. We bought 4 of them - 2 for us and 2 to take home for the kids - so we had to drink all 4! So DH and I got to have a frozen and a regular one each. (Can you say bathrooms anyone?)
I can't believe this...DH just called me from a trade show and told me he booked a trade show (high dollar one, too) for the SAME TIME I JUST BOOKED LAST NIGHT for us to be at US/IOA! I am beyond! I was sooo looking forward to this trip. DS was in camp, so we had the "child care" issues taken care of, everything...the rest of the summer is a no-go. Rats!
As a certified ride wimp, I always find lots to do at US and IOA. With the exception of the Rip rocket Ride and the Mummy, I haven't found anything I cannot do at US. I do a lot at IOA, too. there are some exceptional rides that everyone should experience, my favorite being Spiderman. If you venture out of the WWOHP, you should find plenty to do.
Oh No! You're going to have to cancel!!
I have learned so much from this thread and have been getting more excited about our upcoming first time and you can't make it.
What a bummer! Now you are going to have to keep looking for a time to go.
I was having a hard time getting excited about our trip because it is such an unknown for me - WDW is as familiar as my neighbourhood, but I've never been to Universal. I love the boards and thank everyone who posts information - it stokes my engine, for sure!
someone (I think it was you) posted a question on this thread about books with information about Universal. I just bought a Frommers's guide to WDW and Orlando and it had a lot of detail about all the "other" parks in the area. I have to say, I found a few errors and ommissions in their WDW info - Just makes Passporter look that much better because they are so accurate.
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It was me, Suzie-Q that posted that about the books. I ended up getting this one called, "Universal Orlando-2011" it is written by Seth Kubersky and Kelly Monaghan and I read it cover to cover in about an hour and a half the day I bought it! Okay, I skipped over the stuff that didn't apply to me, like travelling with kids and handicapped entrances,etc. but it was a wealth of information for me and it tells you about "hidden mickeys" at Universal. Apparently, the person who wrote it was employed for many years as a tech on several of the awesome rides there at Universal and some type of "entertainment supervisor" for the Mardi Gras, and other special events that US does. He tells a lot of good advice for looking for hiddens and how to get through lines quicker, what works, what doesn't, etc. I thought it was worth the $11 I paid for it, but then, I am a book hound, too on travel books. Hence, my collection of Passporter books...sigh...
DH is so upset over not getting to go. He is out there in Florida right now at a trade show and he wants me to hop a plane NOW and go out there with DS and all of us go instead of waiting. ha! Pitiful. I WILL get there, by hook or by crook!!!!! I just can't believe I started this thread with my 1001 questions and paranoias and now I am not going...el stink0la!
I am glad that others were able to get some good advice off here though. That is great! I will live vicariously through your travels, Susie-Q and the others on here who will be going before me...sigh...
When Tink doused me in fairy dust in December so I could go back to disney before 12 months was up , I should have asked her for an extra special "dash" so I could get to go to US/IOA, too....rats!
Thanks anyway for the information everyone. I am going to keep watching this for more info for "WHEN" I get to go to US/IOA!!!!!
I got a book on Universal that i really liked. It's written by a lady who also writes a WDW book. Her name is Kim Wiley Wright. Her Disney book is Walt Disney World with Kids. I think her Universal book is Universal with Kids. Even if you don't have kids, her writing style is very casual & entertaining. We've been to Universal several times, but I still read travel books before we go
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It kind of tastes like butterscotch cream soda. You can get it frozen or just cold. My DH liked it frozen but I liked it straight. It is sort of expensive but if your going to WWoHP you really need to try it. It's about $15 per glass but that's for a souvenier mug. We bought 4 of them - 2 for us and 2 to take home for the kids - so we had to drink all 4! So DH and I got to have a frozen and a regular one each. (Can you say bathrooms anyone?)
Guess where we were headed??
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