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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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My carry on (and DH's backpack) both have wheels and I have always placed it under the seat in front of me...never been an issue. Maybe I've just been lucky. Our bags fit easily and neatly under the seat so we get on the plane, get to our seat, tuck our bags in place and off we go!! But then, I've never flown SW...maybe that's the difference.
Quote:
I have also done a wheeled bag under the seat on Southwest.
Really? I was told if it has wheels, it has to go above. Maybe that has changed then. The only things I take with wheels are too big for the seats to begin with so I don't have any first hand knowledge of how it works.
I don't remember needing my Magic Band to get on the DME bus...maybe this has changed since our trip in 2012. I will note this for our next trip in March!! Thanks!!!
.....
I needed mine last May (2014). Fortunately I also had a paper voucher, as I was part of a split-stay (booked by someone else) and when my band was scanned, they had me going to the second resort of our stay!! I pulled out the voucher, which showed the first one, and I went on my merry way with no further delay.
So it doesn't hurt to have your voucher, if you have one, but DME will look for your band otherwise and it's just a quick scan now and on to your bus!
I don't remember needing my Magic Band to get on the DME bus...maybe this has changed since our trip in 2012. I will note this for our next trip in March!! Thanks!!!
This is something I think they started last year. In 2013 we only needed the vouchers to be scanned. Last year they asked for our MB's. It must have been quick and easy because I checked my TR and I don't mention any problems of any kind.
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.
Another question came to mind. I've called and had a CM add my flight info for our DME reservations, but I don't see it anywhere on MDE. I guess I just would like to have peace of mind that they have the correct info.
The SW app is great. then you can check in right at the 24 hour mark no matter where you are. I am usually in a park and just find a quiet spot to sit down and patiently do my countdown. I have my alarm go off about 5 min. before the 24 hour mark, so I can be prepared. When you check your luggage in with Disney on departure day, they will give you your paper boarding pass, so you just go straight to security at the airport.
They don't really have to have your exact flight info when you are flying in as long as you have the DME on your reservation. They do need your exact details for heading home. When DD & I arrived at the airport last May, they told me at the airport that they didn't show any return home information. I don't know why since I had obviously done it. Anyway, they told me exactly how to get it taken care of. I did it the lazy way, though, and just went to the concierge desk at the resort and had them fix it. You will never drive again after the fun of flying and DME.
I invested in an inexpensive (`$12.00) luggage scale so I could weigh my bag before leaving to and from WDW. Especially on the way back, I could decide what I needed to ship back, and to distribute weight between checked bags and carry-ons to avoid overweight fees.
I love DME and RAC. A tip - be sure you have your swim suit, a change of clothing and anything you may need right away (ie medications) in your carry on. You won't see your bags for a little bit.
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Originally Posted by Patrick FaMILY
As for SW, we are flying them this trip too. I spoke to a SW rep, they don't issue seats. It is merely, first come first gets. So, i suggest paying for the Early Bird Check-in. It doesn't guarantee a seat, but you are more likely to get in the first boarding group.
A few words on SW EBCI. It seems as if you are 2 adults traveling together. Unless one of you is very uncomfortable flying and/or sitting alone, I wouldn't buy it. We fly SW about twice a year, traveling party of 2 or 3, and I NEVER buy EBCI. I always check in at the 24 hour mark and we have ALWAYS been able to sit together. But, even on the off chance that we got late C passes and had to sit apart, it wouldn't be the end of the world. It may be different if you were flying with kids but honestly, since I'll probably get to sit with my entire party anyways, I pass on EBCI and use the money I save to do something else fun. JMHO.
I don't recall ever seeing mine on MDE either. I know there is a 1-800 number if you wanted to call and verify they have the information.
Okay, thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pris
I have my alarm go off about 5 min. before the 24 hour mark, so I can be prepared.
I've done exactly that! Got an alarm set for 5 minutes before
Quote:
Originally Posted by bobr
I invested in an inexpensive (`$12.00) luggage scale so I could weigh my bag before leaving to and from WDW. Especially on the way back, I could decide what I needed to ship back, and to distribute weight between checked bags and carry-ons to avoid overweight fees.
How much does the scale itself weigh? And how much room does it take up? I was wondering about weighing my bags for the flight home.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HollyH
A few words on SW EBCI. It seems as if you are 2 adults traveling together. Unless one of you is very uncomfortable flying and/or sitting alone, I wouldn't buy it. We fly SW about twice a year, traveling party of 2 or 3, and I NEVER buy EBCI. I always check in at the 24 hour mark and we have ALWAYS been able to sit together. But, even on the off chance that we got late C passes and had to sit apart, it wouldn't be the end of the world. It may be different if you were flying with kids but honestly, since I'll probably get to sit with my entire party anyways, I pass on EBCI and use the money I save to do something else fun. JMHO.
We did not opt to add the EBCI. Since we are 2 adults, it won't be the end of the world if we aren't sitting together. It's only a 1.5 hr flight, but I'm opting for optimisim in hopes that we will get to!
How much does the scale itself weigh? And how much room does it take up? I was wondering about weighing my bags for the flight home.
We have a scale too. It is small, weighs less than half a pound. Has a hook on one end that you attach to the luggage handle and then pick up and read the weight. It is the kind of scale you might see for REALLY big fish.
I normally have to have DH or DS read the weight or have them pick it up while I read the weight because I'm not that coordinated!!
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Jennifer / Eeyore is my favorite!! OMG - He's sooooo grown up!!!! And an EAGLE SCOUT!! I can still remember my cute little Tiger Cub! 2016 Reading Goal - 75 books
My big tip is buy a magazine each week for the 4 weeks before your trip. I don't like buying magazines all at once at the airport but each week while I'm grocery shopping I throw one in & set it aside when I get home. I can usually read 2 InTouch weekly magazines there & back cover to cover (2 hour flight each way).
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.
Give yourself plenty of time at the airport to check in (if you don't do online check in), check your bag, get through security & get to your gate. I plan on having a minimum of two hours & if the shuttle is schedule so I'd only have an hour & 55 minutes I book the one before it. Also give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport. When I flew down to Texas a couple of years ago for my aunt's wedding I'd booked the shuttle earlier than I would otherwise because the one I would have booked wouldn't have given me a full two hours at the airport. The shuttle was late & we hit really bad traffic. I'd expected to have close to three hours to kill after checking my bag & getting through security. However by the time I got to my gate I had about an hour or maybe a little less.
My best tip for getting through security is to stop after you check your bags & before you in the security line to do some prep. I tend to combine this with a pre-security visit to the restroom. What I do is make sure my shoes are easy on /easy off, take off any sweater/jacket I'm wearing (I'll shove it in my carry on if there's room), if you wear jewelry other than engagement/wedding rings & a pair or two of earrings take it off, take out your laptop if you're bringing one as it will have to be in a bin by itself to go through xray & get out your boarding pass & id to show security.
When it comes packing do NOT pack anything valuable (electronics), anything that you're unwilling to have lost or stolen (grandma's pearls) or that you require in order to live (prescription medications, nebulizer etc.) in your checked bags. These things belong in your carry on or personal bag. Speaking of medical things if it's medically necessary (ei. contact lens solution) you can bring it on the plane in larger amounts however you will need to declare this & security will want to look at it. I'd leave it in it's original container though. Also make sure your travel documents, id, debit/credit cards, any vouchers or tickets you have, cash, insurance cards etc. are packed in to your personal or carry on bag. Not only will you need some of these things at the airport but if your checked bags go missing & you don't have them for the first few days of your trip it could be very unpleasant & expensive if you have to buy another set of tickets.
I like to have multiple copies of documents or at least the information in them so I carry the physical document, send the information to my TripIt account & enter things in to a calendar on my phone & include the confirmation number.
If you prefer not to buy drinks at the airport, you can bring an empty filter bottle and fill it once you go through security.
I never get to the airport more than an hour ahead of time and have never missed a flight. I can kill time relatively easily at Logan but prefer flying out of MHT, a pretty small airport. Check out the services at the airport. MHT has one sit down restaurant, a counter serve, a couple of coffee booths and two very small gift shops. Also seldom lines at security, so I prefer not to wait two hours for a flight.
I would also strongly urge you to adopt my mantra-It is Florida, you can buy anything you forget. I don't want to add extra weight to my luggage.
Also if you are late and checked in you can gate check your suitcase. For airlines that charge for baggage, I have seen too many people do this to avoid the fees. No charge for a gate checked bag.
Also if you have dietary restrictions. pack a lunch from home. Some airports have very little "healthy" food and I have spent some long days surviving on yogurt.
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