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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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You're right - the picture with Sorcerer Josie & her balloon, with the soft focus castle in the back? PERFECTION!!!
You also got a much better picture of the two of you in front of the castle - since the castle is actually in view!
Great night, but sad it's ending.... I am sure you're ready to get back to those boys, though!
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.
Just catching up Linny but what an amazing trip. I love how relaxed it is, how Josie is leading the way and you can truly enjoy seeing what is her favorites. I love the pictures...even your least favorite photos are great. You can see the happiness on both of your faces....
What a great end of the evening at the MK....popcorn and the parade, and its funny as we normally plan on the MK for our last day as well and so many time we end up back at Epcot....love how she enjoys Epcot so much.
Seriously, stop it already!! I'm at work, I can't be crying at my desk! But, I do love that the PP caught you all misty watching Josie. I'd be a blubberin' right next to you.
Castle picture one is Hysterical!! But of course you and Josie look great anyway. And castle picture two is much better!! And of course you both look great. (You even look great crying...can you remind me again why I'm friends with you ).
My Spot! Yay!! Close enough!! I'm just glad you thought of me while you were in the spot
And those are some rockin' Minnie sunglasses
Jason and Josie are two peas...he'll be riding Goofy over and over and the ONE thing he wanted to buy his first trip to Disney was the Sorcerer Mickey hat and he wore it all the time too!!
I LOVE the picture of Josie dancing around Belle. Did she tell Belle about being princess of the day at DHS?
Love, love Josie and all her bathing beauty poses!! Priceless.
heading into your last day already? What a nice night a MK. I MSEP. Glad found a spot to see it. I bet you missed your boys but how nice to just go with the flow and do whatever Josie wants to do.
I am just catching up Linny. What an amazing, magical trip. I love all your pictures, but the picture of Josie with her hat and balloon in front of the castle is incredicble. I got a little teary myself at your picture watching Josie with the princesses. That is what I love about Disney. Can't wait to hear about Epcot and your last day!
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.
Oh Linny! That picture was PERFECT! If you only look at the subject - you & Josie.
But that pic you took of Josie in her hat with the balloon - awesome!
I'm so happy to hear you two having such a great time. I can't believe it's almost over.
Aww, Kelly thank you so much, and thank you for keeping my PP family up to speed on our trip too
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilovedisney247
Great photos! The one of Josie and the balloon is wonderful! Glad you found a spot to watch the MSEP!
I'm glad we found a spot too, because there was no way I was turning around to head back up that chaos!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by buzzspal2
What a cutie pie. Josie sure knows when to strike a pose. That photo of you is priceless.
Yeah, her poses this trip were something else
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
Now, THESE photopass photographers knew their stuff! The shots of you two with a real castle view are beautiful, and the one of you watching Josie with the princesses is a real keeper-- definitely one you couldn't pose for. The ones of Josie skipping and interacting with her princess pals are just great. And the balloon one with Sorceror Josie! So cute that she wanted that hat. The eviction notice already? BOO!
Thank you, we did get quite a few good shots this day!
Quote:
Originally Posted by misty hailey
Love the picture of her in the hat with the balloon!! Priceless!!
Thanks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by stardust190
Love the pictures of Josie with the Princesses. Too bad about Rapunzel. I will say I was thankful when we went that Cam had no idea who she was as I never saw a line shorter than 45 minutes. And since he's a boy he probably won't want to meet her that much in the future either. Of course if the new baby is a girl I might get stuck waiting for princesses some day.
How sad about the eviction notice. I'm sure Epcot will be fun on your last day. I love how Josie is getting to pick and choose what you guys do. You're such a good mom to change your plans for her.
Thanks for saying that, at times I think I could have pushed her........but why? She was happy as could be, I wanted it to stay that way.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JKnott17
LOVE the pic of Josie with her hat and balloon in front of the castle!
She looks like she is having a ball with the Princesses too!
I can't believe your heading into your last day already
I was shocked with her reaction to the princesses, guess she really is a girly girl after all.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
You're right - the picture with Sorcerer Josie & her balloon, with the soft focus castle in the back? PERFECTION!!!
You also got a much better picture of the two of you in front of the castle - since the castle is actually in view!
Great night, but sad it's ending.... I am sure you're ready to get back to those boys, though!
Thanks, and to think I took that one all by myself too!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great night at MK! Love the pictures, especially of Josie holding the balloon in front of the castle!
Thank you, that is my fave ever!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcc0313
Just catching up Linny but what an amazing trip. I love how relaxed it is, how Josie is leading the way and you can truly enjoy seeing what is her favorites. I love the pictures...even your least favorite photos are great. You can see the happiness on both of your faces....
What a great end of the evening at the MK....popcorn and the parade, and its funny as we normally plan on the MK for our last day as well and so many time we end up back at Epcot....love how she enjoys Epcot so much.
That is funny, Epcot is way more kid friendly than people think too!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by dsteiny23
Seriously, stop it already!! I'm at work, I can't be crying at my desk! But, I do love that the PP caught you all misty watching Josie. I'd be a blubberin' right next to you.
Castle picture one is Hysterical!! But of course you and Josie look great anyway. And castle picture two is much better!! And of course you both look great. (You even look great crying...can you remind me again why I'm friends with you ).
My Spot! Yay!! Close enough!! I'm just glad you thought of me while you were in the spot
And those are some rockin' Minnie sunglasses
Jason and Josie are two peas...he'll be riding Goofy over and over and the ONE thing he wanted to buy his first trip to Disney was the Sorcerer Mickey hat and he wore it all the time too!!
I LOVE the picture of Josie dancing around Belle. Did she tell Belle about being princess of the day at DHS?
Love, love Josie and all her bathing beauty poses!! Priceless.
We are friends because I am a tough cookie from Jersey and DON't cry........often, but let's be clear here, I wasn't crying in that pic, just misty
I couldn't wait to send you that pic, and then you got all GPS on me and told me I was in the wrong spot.....
She did love her glasses from Auntie Dawn, thank you again!!!
As for her conversation with Belle..........have no clue, remember....I was crying
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Wonderful photos - that makes up for the previous "castle" shot!
Sure does!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mommapants
heading into your last day already? What a nice night a MK. I MSEP. Glad found a spot to see it. I bet you missed your boys but how nice to just go with the flow and do whatever Josie wants to do.
I love MSEP too..........I hope it stays forever!!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lyn213
I am just catching up Linny. What an amazing, magical trip. I love all your pictures, but the picture of Josie with her hat and balloon in front of the castle is incredicble. I got a little teary myself at your picture watching Josie with the princesses. That is what I love about Disney. Can't wait to hear about Epcot and your last day!
Thank you!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by DawnK
The picture of Josie with the balloon, hat and the castle....there is a Disney commercial right there.
We woke up with our last phone call from Stitch this morning, which Josie really thought was hysterical each day too! I set her up with breakfast and scurried around the room getting our suitcase packed and my carryon bag situated. I was worried about doing RAC, not because we have never done it before, we have, but it was always Arnaud taking care of that stuff, so this was new for me. Oh and BTW he was a total rock star and even checked us in for our flight the day before too…..love him!! I called down for a bell guy to come help me and he took us off in a golf cart and dropped us right off at RAC. But not before Josie said one last good bye to the room.
Once we took care of that and dropped our carryon bags off us headed to the bus stop and of course made it over to Epcot in record time. A little too quick because now we were super early waiting to get in.
Josie still was holding on to that balloon as long as she could, but I reminded her that it couldn’t come home with us, so either she could give it to someone or momma was gonna pop it and throw it away.
I killed some time by checking FB and sending texts while Josie was running around playing, a sweet little CM came over and was talking to Josie and handed her some stickers. A little while later this same CM came over to me and started chatting. Hi, how are you?? You all having a great time?? I was all….”Yeah”. She asked where we were from and I told her and Josie was rambling away about a million other things to her. Then she asked how many were in our party…….Just then it hit me!! She is going to ask us to be family of the day or something…..I told her it was just the 2 of us, a little mommy/daughter trip. She then says…..”Oh, that’s great…………….have a nice day!” and walked away!!!!! WHAT?? I then watched her scoping out some other people and saw her go over to another family, about 2 seconds later she escorted them behind the turnstiles and had them and in front of everyone and was giving them some sort of directions. They were a family of 4. Guess a little party of 2 just doesn’t cut it. So now I’m all……this blows, so I can’t wait to see what they have to do. Uhm, zilch! They stood there with the big Mickey hands and just waved as the little countdown hello crap with all the countries played. Really?? Like Josie and I couldn’t have done that? Pa-lease!!
As we entered I did see them charging off with a CM and I am guessing they took them to the character spot or something. Eh, whatever!!
Our first order of business was getting on Nemo, which was a great time and Josie was happy about that. We explored the tanks a bit and then went to look around the gift shop for some Gummy Goofy candies for Daddy. Up at the register I noticed these Wildlife Conservation buttons being sold, I picked it up to look at it and the CM asked if I wanted to make a donation. I quickly said yes and we did that in honor of Princess Stefanie! I knew we would be making a donation in her honor this fall at AK, but I never noticed these buttons before at the other parks, so I was happy to do it and will probably always do that from here on out. I walked out of there thinking of Cam and her family and had a little smile come over my face because I just know a part of Stefanie is always going to be around Disney.
We then moved on over to Figment and gave that ride a whirl and played in the area outside of the ride too.
Then it was off to see the butterflies again and one landed right on my fabulous VB bag. I tried to get some pics of her without moving.
Then we headed over to Pixie Hollow yet again and I just let Josie have at it!!!! I sat back in a great chair and just watched her for the longest time. This could have been one of the best moments of the whole trip.
Josie had met a little friend and they were playing for a while, once we were getting ready to go I called her over and had a chat about her balloon again, I asked if she would like to give it to her new friend. She said to me…” I’m sure gonna miss that balloon mom, but good idea!” I noticed who her mom was and I asked her if it would be OK since we were leaving, she said sure, they were leaving later tonight but said she would have her daughter do the same thing. Crap for all I know this darn $10 balloon might still be getting tossed around to other little girls.
We got our last PP pic and said our good byes to Epcot! Josie was really sweet to me and said maybe we should bring the boys back here………….oh, if she only knew!
As we left I looked for the POFQ bus because I wanted to have lunch over there so we could finally grab a dang beignet. Josie was obsessed about trying one, which surprises me because she is awfully picky when it comes to sweets. She doesn’t much care for them and would rather have a head of cauliflower over an ice cream any day……but since Tiana makes them and all, she felt the need to try one.
We grab the bus and get off at POFQ and are quickly greeted with some Mardi gras beads. We made our way to the food court and ordered lunch. It was dead in there so we found a spot in front of the TV and watched a little Disney Jr as we ate. Once we finished lunch I went back up to grab some of those famous beignets. They were fresh too, but I wasn’t crazy over them. Maybe if your not at Café Du Monde sipping a café au lait, they just don’t have the same wow factor for me. But Josie stayed true to her word, tried some of the sugar and a few bites and then said…..I’m good.
We took our time walking back to POR and I’m glad we did because we came across a playground in which she went right on in. This place was super cool and I wouldn’t mind staying here one day either.
The walk back was quick and really pretty and Josie liked watching all the boats going by.
Once back to POR we stopped in the gift shop so I could send off 2 postcards to Kelly and Melissa for their trips that were soon coming up, and then we went to check out the main pool area.
I had wanted Josie to go here the day before, but she was cool just staying at the quite pool by our room. This would have been one of those times I should have pushed her in a different direction because once she saw this………….she wanted IN!!! Then we found the mac daddy of all playgrounds. Hidden here at POR! This was crazy nice. I wish more resorts would have some of these areas for the kids. Josie played in there until it was time for the BIG good bye.
On to the DME it was and after about 27 other stops we were finally at the airport just waiting for our plane to come in.
Josie got settled in her seat and then this is how she was until about 15 min before we landed!
I grabbed our bags and walked outside and down a few feet was our prince charming just waiting for us! We had a nice drive home and when we pulled into the driveway I noticed he had hung my flower baskets on the porch with some beautiful flowers, had a spotless house and a beautiful sleeping baby up in his cribby. Just like that we were home and as fun as Disney always is, is does feel good to get home too.
The next morning I waited for that sweet boy to wake up and I gave him the biggest hugs ever, Josie came running in too and said “ I missed you baby brother!!!” I just really can’t wait to see her show him all around Disney this fall!!!
Wow! You took that gorgeous picture with your phone? That's honestly amazing - my phone pics never turn out well! Glad you had a nice evening, but boo to the eviction notice
Okay, you got in the last update as I posted . That stinks that they didn't choose you and Josie for family of the day! Two people aren't considered family? Glad you still had a nice morning though.
What a lovely mommy/daughter trip you had, and I'm looking forward to reading your fall TR, hearing all about Josie showing your little man around!
__________________
Stacey
Why do these kids look so pathetic?
Find out in: A New Grade, A New House, and A Surprise!Final Thoughts 01/30
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I love the photo of Josie sleeping with Duffy on the plane! Sorry it's over, but it sounds like it was a great trip! You'll be back before you know it and hopefully I'll be able to meet you guys in the fall!
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.
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the pic of Josie with her hat and balloon in front of the castle!
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Pixie Dust
Seriously, stop it already!! I'm at work, I can't be crying at my desk! 
But of course you and Josie look great anyway. And castle picture two is much better!! And of course you both look great. (You even look great crying...can you remind me again why I'm friends with you 
).
My Spot! Yay!! Close enough!! I'm just glad you thought of me while you were in the spot 
PassPorter Guide Author
Holly: 
LYN
Katie's graduation
, but let's be clear here, I wasn't crying in that pic, just misty
Glad you still had a nice morning though. 
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