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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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.
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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DVC sounds like a perfect use for the TTR money! When I first toured DVC OKW was just opening and they were offering free stays if you took the tour. Even so, it was really laid back, no pressure. I had told the guide I probably wouldn't be buying yet and it didn't seem to matter. I waited a couple of years, until BWV was being built and bought through Disney sight unseen. Over the years, I've added on points via resale. I like the idea of the Trifecta! Hope you can do the one night at BCV, as that will give you the complete picture. The view issue is one reason I'm getting more and more fond of BWV, in addition to the fact that I'm such a fan of Flying Fish and Belle Vue Lounge. BCV I love for the pool (but I don't swim, and it's a bit too busy for me), and I like the room decor a smidge better.
The great thing is that they're all great properties and you'll end up loving wherever you call "home".
We don't use the pool either, but the grand kids would love it. I do think BWV could grow on us as well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Nice reward for saving for 30+ years! Congrats on having three trips in the works!
Even though the trips were not booked in chronological order, I'll start with November, continuing on to December and then January.
I had no intention of booking so many trips in a row, but it just worked out. What could we do, but go with the flow? As part of our new DVC contract, we had 24 points that had to be used or lost by Nov 30th of this year. I didn't want to hassle with trying to rent them, but didn't have a lot of hope for finding something that would work.
We will return to Florida around Nov 3rd, after spending the summer in Maine. To further complicate things, we leave Maine on Sep 5th for a two month Road Trip! Our itinerary takes us to
Arizona > Yellowstone > Utah > Arizona> Northern California > Central California > Southern California > New Mexico > Florida
Obviously, we will pass through other states, but the above destinations are where will be visiting family and friends. I'm not sure when we became nomads, but I digress.
My first access to the DVC booking site was on Aug 11th. The first thing I looked for was availability for November - anything at BCV, since we want to test it. Not surprised, but there were no two night stays at anytime. Vero Beach was a possibility, but we didn't really need/ or want/ to relax at the beach. SSR and OKW were also available, but we preferred something with better dining options on site.
AKV had availability in the first half of November. And, for exactly 24 points, I could book 2 nights in a standard view room at Jambo I said earlier that Lou was adamant about not wanting AKV as the Home Resort - how would he feel about that being our first DVC visit . It turns out he likes AKV, he just feels it is too far away for regular visits - and he was very hung up on Home Resort = where you always stay. We agreed AKV was a good choice for this quick trip.
We couldn't go the first week - we would still be unpacking. Nov 12th was the latest 2 night block I could find, so that decided that! We drive 2.5 hours on Nov 12th, stay 2 nights, and drive home the 14th.
Now to get ADRs and sort out the dog. A call to Best Friends at WDW scored a Vacation Villa for the precious one. This will be a good test to see how she does at boarding. Her nick is "Velcro Dog," as she is obsessive about knowing where we are at all times.
ADRs - Eating is Very Important!
The good thing about AKV is it has a good choice of restaurants. We always prefer to eat where we can walk back to the room, after having enjoyed a glass of wine (maybe two) with dinner. What would be available at this late date? As it turns out, it was easy to book the ADRs:
Nov 12 Monday: Sanaa @ 7:10pm
Nov 13 Tuesday: Jiko @ 7:30 pm
I also booked a lunch ADR for Yak & Yeti on the 13th. We'll make this an all AK stay, going to the park on Tuesday. That will be the only park we visit, given this is a short trip and we will still be recovering from our summer/fall travels. There is a possibility I will do this November trip as a solo - I've told Lou that's fine, if he is too involved getting things back in shape at our home in Florida. I doubt he will want to stay home.
A Look Back
We have stayed at AKV several times before. Our previous stay was in Jan 2010 in a Grand Villa at Kidani. We had kids, grand kids, and our niece. Scored a 40% Florida Resident discount on that one . We loved the GV and Savannah View, but disliked the loooooonnnnnnggggg hallway walk to get to the room.
We had a most enjoyable meal at Sanaa on the last trip. I hadn't discovered Passporters then, so we really had no idea what to expect. No food photos - I didn't know then, that annoying dinner companions was a requirement . I do have a photo of the lighting:
I also remember it was very, very cold that year in early January - but that is still better than the heat we experienced one July visit:
The frosty temps didn't stop the California kids from enjoying pool time. We also liked the Kidani pool area. Can't imagine why it wasn't crowded as the temps hovered in the 60's and below:
After going back through the old photos, I'm excited to visit Animal Kingdom again. It won't be quite the same without the kids, but there is something to be said for relaxing adult time. We also celebrate our 35 year anniversary in November, so our last minute scheduling may work out just fine.
First of all, I can't wait to see your photos from the upcoming long road trip!
AKV is perfect for your short Nov stay. I love all three of the restaurants there, with Sanaa being my current obsession. I hope Natasha enjoys her stay at Best Friends-- that's the big unknown for this trip, I guess!
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Great start to your trip!! Planning the trip is almost as fun as going on it!! I was wondering if you could tell me how you process your photos? I love how some of them have a dreamy look to them. Looks almost like a tilt-shift processing?
First of all, I can't wait to see your photos from the upcoming long road trip!
AKV is perfect for your short Nov stay. I love all three of the restaurants there, with Sanaa being my current obsession. I hope Natasha enjoys her stay at Best Friends-- that's the big unknown for this trip, I guess!
We have two weeks in Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Bryce, and Zion that are specifically for photography, although the other destinations should yield some scenic highlights. Natasha is the unknown. For longer trips, we will have someone stay at our house with her. It will be good if she can adapt to a few days at the kennel - fingers crossed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by athenagwis
Great start to your trip!! Planning the trip is almost as fun as going on it!! I was wondering if you could tell me how you process your photos? I love how some of them have a dreamy look to them. Looks almost like a tilt-shift processing?
Can't wait to see more!!
Rachel
Thanks, Rachel. I do a lot of experimenting with my photo processing. The "dreamy look," like in the AKV sunset photo, is from using a glow effect in Photoshop. Early 2010 was my "glow" period . Some of the Boardwalk Photos are a tonemapped blend of 5 exposures to give a painterly HDR look - its actually my favorite style for buildings, even if it's not always popular. No Tilt Shift effects ( although I did get a Tilt Shift lens for Christmas).
Thanks, Rachel. I do a lot of experimenting with my photo processing. The "dreamy look," like in the AKV sunset photo, is from using a glow effect in Photoshop. Early 2010 was my "glow" period . Some of the Boardwalk Photos are a tonemapped blend of 5 exposures to give a painterly HDR look - its actually my favorite style for buildings, even if it's not always popular. No Tilt Shift effects ( although I did get a Tilt Shift lens for Christmas).
Oooh I love that HDR look. Do you use a special camera to get the different toned pictures? I have a Canon DSLR, but have yet to figure out how to do HDR, though I have heard it is possible with my camera.
Oooh I love that HDR look. Do you use a special camera to get the different toned pictures? I have a Canon DSLR, but have yet to figure out how to do HDR, though I have heard it is possible with my camera.
Cheers!
Rachel
I'll send you some info tomorrow via PM. My camera does do HDR, but I use software to process my photos.
Quote:
Originally Posted by buzzspal2
Welcome home. BWV is my home resort but WLV is my favorite.
Thanks for joining in!
I don't want to jump ahead too far, but things are crazy here. The January trip is with the eldest daughter and her family. The younger daughter is now on the hunt, and we may actually be adding a trip in March! I may need to change the title of this to the Quintfecta - we also have a cruise at the end of Jan, beginning of Feb. More details to come!
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Trip No 2 - Getting into the Christmas Spirit at Disney
This trip came about as I started seriously researching DVC in April. I was questioning the wisdom of buying into DVC when we've been successful at scoring Florida Resident Discount Rates in the past. This makes the DVC payback longer, and perhaps takes away some flexibility for resort choices. As I was learning about resale, I read about renting points. Heck - maybe that's the way to go?
Just for kicks, I made a rental request for 2 nights at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge for mid December. I was successful, and now had a reservation for a 1 bedroom Villa at VWL. This was before we had even seriously considered buying VWL as our home resort. I just wanted to see the Christmas decorations! And, I was hoping it might help us get into the Christmas Spirit. Since my parents passed away almost a decade ago, it seems we don't make a big deal of the Holiday. My Mom was the driving force for the family celebration. And we usually see the kids in January - so we do celebrate the Holiday with them, but it's not quite the same. We did better this past year; Lou helped me make a Memory Tree for Christmas, and we had so much fun reliving good times.
So that's how Trip No. 2 (which is really Trip No. 1) in the trifecta came about. I told Lou we were going to Disney in December and staying at the Wilderness Lodge. "Why there?" he asks. I answer, "I think they have the best decorations." He's fine with that ( as in "whatever").
Fast forward to the May exploration trip. Now he's more in Disney mode, and he picks VWL - funny how things work. After the 2 day trip at The Boardwalk, he says he really prefers at least a 3 night stay (Who is this man?). This is where my issue with renting points comes in - you have so little flexibility. I can't look at the DVC website to see other options. I've paid in full and will lose our money if we cancel the reservation to book something else. So, I decide to wait until our Resale Purchase comes in to see if I can get another night on either side of our existing reservation.
I finally get onto the DVC site last week, and by this time we have agreed to try to add a stay at BCV onto the December trip. I can find one night on either side of the existing reservation. But, NO, he doesn't want to switch rooms for just one night. "Just get 2 nights," he says. I decide to waitlist two nights at BCV, but go ahead and book a cash reservation since it is unlikely the waitlist will come through. There's more:
Quote:
Me: "Since I have to pay cash for the Beach Club stay, I'll book a Studio instead of a 1-bedroom. That will still let us see what the Villas are like."
Lou: "Book where we'll be staying if we buy there. We already decided the advantage to DVC is getting the 1-bedroom units."
Me: "um, Okie Dokie. (hoping there will be some Florida discount announced later)"
The END RESULT:
Dec 11-12: 1 bedroom at VWL - DVC Rental Points - non refundable and PIF in April
Dec 13-14: 1 bedroom at BCV - More Cash than a year's maintenance fees if we had BCV points
Real Time Interuption: $&)@$!!! I just spilled an entire cup of hot coffee all over myself ... dont ask ... ... Ok, I'm back.
The Dog
Last I looked, dogs still aren't allowed in the DVC Villas. When I made the reservation at Best Friends for the November trip, I inquired about availability for December as well. NO Vacation Villa available for the princess! Oh my, what will we do? They did have an indoor/outdoor kennel available. Smaller than the Villa, and no flat screen TV. Guess the pooch will be ruffing it. We will have to go to Plan B if the pup doesn't do well at Best Friends in November. What is Plan B? I have absolutely no idea. Oh - the dog has her own Wait List, just in case a doggie Vacation Villa opens up )
Where in The World Will We Eat?
I booked ADRs for the VWL portion of the trip at 180 days. One thing I like to do at Disney is take photos - especially at night, and I am on a quest to get a decent fireworks photo. So, how to work this in without making it seem like the trip is all about me? My solution:
Dec 11 - California Grill @ 7:30pm. Wishes is at 9:30 pm - I can take photos from the terrace
Dec 12 - Kona Cafe @ 9:30am - Tonga Toast, anyone?
Dec 12 - Artist Point @ 8:00pm - no fireworks shooting, but I can take some photos at the MK at sunset and after, still having time to take the boat back to the resort
You might think I would now be scrambling to make ADRs for the BCV portion of the trip. Not so - I had a pretty good idea we would end up there so I already had options booked. I really wanted to see the Candlelight Processional for the first time, and this is something I know Lou will enjoy. I booked 2 options - 5:45pm at La Hacienda for the late show on the day before our VWL stay, and 5:45pm at Via Napoli for the day after VWL.
Since we are staying at BCV after VWL, I've cancelled La Hacienda, and will keep Via Napoli. This will be our first time dining there. Part II of the ADR game looks like this:
Dec 13: Via Napoli @ 5:45 pm, followed by the 8:00pm Candlelight Processional
Dec 14: Rose & Crown @ 7:45pm - this is a sentimental favorite
I've left lunches open for now. Maybe Beaches & Cream or Morocco? I'm assuming we'll spend the time at Epcot, although I may sneak over to HS for a cupcake and some ToT action.
A Look Back
Will our December trip help us capture some of that old time Christmas Spirit?
Coming up next: Trip No. 3, and will there be more?
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Congrats on having three trips in the works! 
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Pixie Dust
I said earlier that Lou was adamant about not wanting AKV as the Home Resort - how would he feel about that being our first DVC visit 
. It turns out he likes AKV, he just feels it is too far away for regular visits - and he was very hung up on Home Resort = where you always stay. We agreed AKV was a good choice for this quick trip.
. Some of the Boardwalk Photos are a tonemapped blend of 5 exposures to give a painterly HDR look - its actually my favorite style for buildings, even if it's not always popular. No Tilt Shift effects ( although I did get a Tilt Shift lens for Christmas).
Linear Mode
