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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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We were up at 6:30 and after breakfast and showers, ended up leaving the room at 8:00. Instead of walking to the Miller Road bus stop, we went to the front desk. We needed to ask for another bottle of shampoo (the one they gave us was so much smaller than last time at BLT). We also requested that someone come to look at the drain in the tub which was draining VERY slowly.
That done, we headed outside and saw an MK bus just pulling away at 8:15.
After at least two buses for Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios and three for Disney Springs (really, that many people are headed to Disney Springs at 8:30??), another MK bus finally showed up at 8:50.
We didn’t get to MK until after 9:00 and of course there was a huge line for bag check.
Hitting Frontierland first is our usual routine, because there is hardly ever a wait that early in the morning. Well, with Splash Mountain being closed, and us being a ½ hour behind because of the long wait for the bus, the wait for BTM was already 30 minutes. So, we turned around. We ended up going to Pirates of the Caribbean for our first FP+. Since there were just two of us, they gave us the very back row!
And then we went in to Hall of Presidents. This was down recently and I thought it was just to add Trump, but they redid the whole presentation! It was very well done and we really enjoyed it! We noticed a security guard inside the auditorium during the show and I imagine it might be necessary to quiet an unruly guest occasionally, but for the show we watched, everyone was very respectful and even applauded at the end.
After this we went to Tomorrowland to use our next set of FP+s. Mine was for Buzz and Jeff’s was for Space Mountain. Tomorrowland was crazy crowded and so were both attractions. So much so, that the FP line for Buzz was outside! It took a good 5 minutes get inside and another 5 to get on the ride. Very unusual for FP.
After our rides we met up at the Joffrey’s kiosk. I was freezing and needed a cup of coffee. Their Valentine’s Day special was exactly what I wanted: Amore Cocoa Latte: rich espresso flavored with dark chocolate sauce, light coconut syrup and creamy steamed milk. OMG! It was warm and delicious! And they give a 20% AP discount!
After I finished my drink we went to Monsters, Inc. Jeff can take this or leave it, but I always enjoy it, so he usually indulges me.
Not a great photo, but I have to take at least one to remind me what order we’ve done things!!
We had a good ride on Mine Train and then needed a bathroom break so we went to the Rapunzel’s Tower area where we used the restroom, sat for a bit, and looked at the MDE app to make a FP for Haunted Mansion for later in the afternoon.
Bummer that you just missed the earlier MK bus! Every time that has happened to us, we end up waiting an extra long time as you did. I love the new border for SDMT ride photos.
Too bad you just missed the bus! That has happened many times and as you said there are always many repeat buses while waiting!
Nice start to your MK day with lots of great attractions. Sounds like that coffee really hit the spot on a cool morning!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Ugh - I keep hearing similar stories about the Disney buses... miss one and you could be waiting another half hour. Is it just me or is the service getting worse?
We were so glad to have our car on our last trip, it made getting around so much faster.
We didn’t do the Laugh Floor for many years and now it’s a must do, its so much fun.
Registered Message Board Members save 30% off PassPorter guidebooks! When you register you'll have access to a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of PassPorter books in our online store.
Ugh - I keep hearing similar stories about the Disney buses... miss one and you could be waiting another half hour. Is it just me or is the service getting worse?
Well, hard to say...of course the times that stick out in your mind are the ones where you've had a long wait. I think, except for this instance, we did pretty well with the buses on this trip.
We were so glad to have our car on our last trip, it made getting around so much faster.
We didn’t do the Laugh Floor for many years and now it’s a must do, its so much fun.
We haven't rented a car since Magical Express was offered! Hard to believe.
Yes, Laugh Floor is always great fun!
Honestly, we haven't had much trouble with Disney transportation. I am so sorry to hear that you did. Other than that, what a great start to your day!!
What a bummer that you missed the MK bus. That has happened to us so many times. I never understand their reasoning on how they send buses to the resorts at certain times. Seriously, 3 buses to Disney Springs! lol
Just got all caught up with your TR! It sounds like the perfectly paced trip and I loved all the PP pictures that you were able to get too! How fun that you got to meet up with Cheryl and Mark and have dinner at Teppan Edo. My DH and I arrived on 1/27 and found it to be quite chilly a lot of the time. You never know what the weather will be like in January!
Honestly, we haven't had much trouble with Disney transportation. I am so sorry to hear that you did. Other than that, what a great start to your day!!
This was the longest wait we had on this trip. Other than that, the bus transportation was pretty good.