Forums Closed
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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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!
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Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.
To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.
If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.
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11-12-2005, 04:08 PM
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#16
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Community Rank: Traveler 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Wilmington, DE
Posts: 404
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
Wonderful start. Can't wait to read more....
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11-12-2005, 07:00 PM
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#17
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Community Rank: Globetrotter 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 3,536
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
Can't wait to read all about your trip!
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11-12-2005, 08:00 PM
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#18
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Whitefield, NH
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 13,599
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
Great start Maureen - and I'm so glad you're taking the time to write! We know how busy you are!
Can't wait for the rest - I'm dying to know how Katie did on her flight - and how long it took Matthew to get to his first Mickey Bar!
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11-12-2005, 08:06 PM
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#19
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Community Rank: Explorer 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Fort Smith, Arkansas
Posts: 10,721
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
Monday, October 25, 2005
Final Prep continues!!!
I kept pretty busy with work and school and before I knew it we were a week out from our travel day. My professors at U of A were really wonderful and understanding about going to Disney in October. I got all of my work made up ahead of time. I must also say that the kids’ teachers were all really great about our traveling as well. Katie’s special education teachers were especially excited for us and did everything they could to help prepare her.
Our trip had originally intended to be a surprise but Beverly and I blew that one out of the water over the summer. Okay, maybe I did most of that on my own- but she didn’t help me keep it quiet- let’s just put it that way! Just couldn’t wait to tell them!! I did keep thinking to myself, “There has got to be some way to add the surprise factor here….” Hmmm. Kevan and I decided to treat the fam to a limo instead of a van- and of course, I called Quicksilver to help us out with that. I mentioned to Gregory to have the driver not to let on there would be a limo waiting for us and he assured me mums would be the word! I did manage to keep that secret!
The day before, I called American to reconfirm the notations on our travel records that we had autistic kids with us and to make sure we could get pre-boarding. Most of the folks there were very helpful.
Kevan also had taken Katie to the airport several times that week to at least get her comfortable with the building. Every time they went, she did a little better but still resistant. He showed her the TSA line, the check in counters and every time, they stopped off at the snack bar for M and M’s. It occurred to me that since this child thrived on routine, I might be buying her M&M’s at 4:40 am the day we leave! Oh well, that would be the least of my worries that morning!
Also made a stop off at the pediatrician’s, who provided us letters in case we needed the Guest Assistance Pass. She also suggested to me that if Katie was really anxious we could give her a little Benadryl to calm her down and help her sleep on the way. I kept the suggestion in the back of my head but really, I didn’t want to go that route unless we absolutely had to.
The kids were absolutely giddy when we picked them up from school that afternoon! Most of the special education staff had gathered with Katie as I walked into her classroom to wish us good luck. Many of my family and friends called that day and the few days prior to tell us they would be sending lots of good thoughts and prayers- including Angie, Lynn, Sandy, Sue and Court. It made me feel a lot better.
Katie began to see the open suitcases and when the kids packed their backpacks for the plane ride, I think it sunk in- we were really going. She packed her backpack with a little bit of protest but not near what I expected. By the time we got the suitcases completely packed and ready, it was about 7:00 pm.
We had our Disney Dollars Awards Ceremony after supper ( which was catered by Pizza Hut- ha- ha) and Mickey Mouse cupcakes for dessert. I had made a chart for the kids about a month prior – whenever they were caught doing something “good”- they got to sign up for one Disney Dollar. I dished out almost $100 that night! Somehow, we managed to get them all bathed and tucked in by 9:00. It took quite a long time for the giggles, and the I’m So Excited’s to eventually fade out and sleep take over. atthew said to me, “ Mom, I think tomorrow will be the best day ever!”
I made final checks of my email and did the final briefing with Courtney around 10:00, then crawled into bed by 11:00. Of course, then Kevan and I were like that WDW commercial with the kids and the parents- and the ending is where the parents say “ I’m too excited to sleep.” And I really, really, was excited. It was at this point, a great feeling of calm and peace came over me. My two precious daughters were about to see WDW for the first time and it would be our first official family trip ever. There was much to hope for. And if there were challenges ahead, we’d deal with them- one at a time!
Coming Up Next: Once we have reached a comfortable cruising altitude........
[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
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11-12-2005, 08:14 PM
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#20
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Community Rank: Globetrotter
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 3,294
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
Awesome!!
Can't wait to hear how Katie does on the airplane!
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11-12-2005, 08:27 PM
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#21
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Community Rank: Legend 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 18,767
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
Looking forward to reading about how Katie did on the flight!! I love the Disney commercial you are talking about. We say "I'm too excited to sleep" all the time. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Keep it coming!
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11-12-2005, 08:28 PM
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#22
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Faith, Trust, Pixie Dust
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 34,171
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
A great job so far Maureen and I am so glad you are writing. Can't wait to hear how the kids do!
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11-12-2005, 08:57 PM
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#23
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Living Seas wannabe
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 31,940
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
Wonderful installment Maureen -- you have me SO excited about how Katie does at the airport and on the plane!! Please hurry back (in your copius amounts of spare time).
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11-12-2005, 09:36 PM
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#24
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Niagara Falls
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 12,431
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
Great update. I like the Disney Dollars ceremony! LOL Great idea!
Can't wait for more!
Jennifer
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11-13-2005, 12:46 AM
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#25
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Community Rank: Legend Extraordinaire 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Ohio Football Hall Of Fame
Posts: 42,304
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
Great updat Maureen!! I love the Disney Dollars ceremony, we may have to do something like that in our family!! Can't wait to read more!!
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11-13-2005, 07:28 AM
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#26
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New York
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 7,960
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
Great start! I'm anxious to hear about how the plane trip went (and of course the rest of your trip, too). [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Hurry back with more, please!
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11-13-2005, 09:31 AM
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#27
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Community Rank: Globetrotter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 3,536
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
Great update,,,, more please!
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11-13-2005, 09:57 AM
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#28
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PassPorter Message Board Manager
 PassPorter Guide Author
Community Rank: Legend VIP 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
Another wonderful installment Maureen - more please! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
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11-13-2005, 10:08 AM
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#29
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Community Rank: Trailblazer 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Chicago Illinois
Posts: 5,421
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
Just getting caught up. Great report can't wait for more! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
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11-13-2005, 10:10 AM
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#30
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Community Rank: Trekker 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Maine
Posts: 1,831
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
Great start, Maureen! Looking forward to hearing all about your trip!
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