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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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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
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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.
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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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So glad to see another TR from you, Sha....and maybe just maybe THIS time i might get to actually see you. it sounds like a classic family trip for you. and loving the photos of everyone! you and your mom were too cute outside the tiki room! i think that they have moved irene over a bit further and may be mostly out in the atlantic....far far from orlando!
Love the picture of you and your mom! My DD had cute little hat like that. Can't wait to hear all about the trip. Have your mom to have some chocolate for me!
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Great start, Sharon! I couldn't remember when you were leaving to go to WDW, but I did remember that this was a family trip. Love the of your first trip!
Love, love, love the photo of you and your Mom on your first trip!! So adorable! I can't wait to find out more and sending major that Irene stays away from the World and your good weather mojo keeps its streak!
Thanks, you guys, for saying all those nice things!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ciavobella
I love the outfit in your sig pic. I actually did meet you once so I don't feel like a loser for that reason. I do, however, feel like one because I don't have a trip countdown of my own.
So I guess since we know each other, it's not so weird for you to be reading. Hoping you'll have a countdown soon!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilovedisney247
Off to a great start Sha! I too let my AP lapse last month so no running away to WDW with my 3 days off this week. In fact, no running off to WDW until October I love your big family TRs. I also love your Mom's pants in the photo from your first trip! I think Disney is your DNA! I'm going to have to look through the old family albums the next time I visit my folks and see if I can hunt up some photos from our first family trip.
So I suppose you'll have your own little Disney dry spell. If I made it, you can too. Besides, I know you've got other trips planned to keep you busy. That helps, trust me!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mpwife153
I knew it had been too long since you had been in TheWorld! You are abosolutly correct ~ that picture of your brother & nephews it!!!
Heather, it's funny to me because they're all so tall but you can't really tell! My brother is 6'5" (bigger than the corn!), and these are his (at the time) 10, 8 and 4 year old boys! And can I tell you, your little princess is adorable! Love the new sig pics!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
That was a great intro! I love the photo of you and your mom on your first trip. (I was 40 on my first trip--no Disney in my family's DNA, but there appears to be a spontaneous mutation in mine!) Can't wait to see this year's batch of photos of those handsome boys.
It doesn't matter how old you are, Laurie. If it's in your blood, it's in your blood!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcc0313
I just have to say...I so love your polka dot dress, so much so I am going to ask my mom to look for the picture of me (in almost the same dress) except my mom must have been color blind because mine was green with orange polka dots (let's just say I love my mom which is the only reason I have allowed her to keep the picture of me in that dress )
Love Love Love the introductions...especially all the pictures from your frist trip (I am sure those brothers of yours will truly thank you for posting those pictures )
I have already been crossing my fingers...can't let your good weather mojo be lost on this trip (hurricane Irene needs to take a bee line far away from the coast so everyone is out of harms way - it did more than enough damage already )
And I think a family cruise to celebrate your parents anniversary is a must...there is just no way they could enjoy it as much without the gang along (not like they have a choice )
Thanks, Meg! Mom always managed to dress me in clothes that I'm not embarrassed to be seen in! She's got good fashion sense! And because of all the grief those boys gave me when we're kids, they're lucky I posted the ones I did! I think it'll end up being a family cruise. Of course, DM and DF might hide from us for a lot of it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Coop
Great start! My first trip was last year but Hi - My name is Tracy and I am a Disney addict too!
Tracy! And I know, it doesn't take long to become addicted!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caldercup
I didn't think it was possible....
... but I just fell in love with your mom EVEN MORE!!!
Isn't she awesome?! Luv huh!
Quote:
Originally Posted by HollyH
OMG Sharon, I love, love, love that photo of you on your first trip! How adorable! Can't wait to hear about this trip. You must be missing WDW, but having read your Italy TR, I am guessing that you weren't suffering too much with your extended absence from Florida. Last I heard of Irene was that she was going to give Florida a miss.
Yes, it seems like Irene is moving further east, which is good news for almost everyone!
Quote:
Originally Posted by CinderAbby
Another Princess Sharon PTR/TR I love reading them because no matter what's going on in real life, you always have something that makes me . I love all the pictures in your post - especially of your first trip to Disney. What a blast from the past - Adventureland with NO magic carpets - it looks so wide open (well it was). And next to no people in that picture - I don't think I've ever seen Adventureland that deserted (but I suppose the gray day helped with that).
Can't wait for more
Thanks, Darlene! Thanks for appreciating my corny jokes. And when annoying little things pop up during the trip, I try to make a joke out of that too! I guess it makes it more entertaining for me instead of getting on my nerves, and you all get a laugh out of it too! It's fun looking back on the old photos. I have some of the castle with, like, nothing in front of it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by honeybee723
I seriously those photos! Classic! Don't all of us Disney nuts have those old photos though? It's so strange looking back at what it used to look like there. The funny thing for me is that Hope has found our photo albums and her new obsession is looking at the photos of her first trip to Disney....which was only last January!!! But the Disney bug just trickles down from generation to generation doesn't it?
See! Hope is trying to tell you she's ready to go back! She's definitely got the Disney bug!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jillybean
Love the pictures!!! Your mom was seriously styling and you're just as cute as can be!
Yep, I'm hoping for you and for me (yikes, your map has Irene blowing right through Columbia! ) that Irene banks a hard right out to sea!
Jill
I think Irene is just going to skim the Carolinas (from what I saw on the news this morning, it's going to hit the Outer Banks area), so I'm trying to make it better for you.
Oh! And Jill!
Quote:
Originally Posted by CRCrazy
Yay!! The whole fam damily is going!! I cannot wait to read this one - and thanks for that blast from the past - you were seriously cute even to start - and you haven't lost any of that cuteness!
Aww, thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eeyoresmom
I can't believe that it has been that long since you've been to WDW!!! Very shocking . . . and it will make this trip all the more fun! Have a great time with the family!
Yes, Tanya, I wasn't sure I'd make it! But now I'm excited that I did!
Quote:
Originally Posted by jennie622
Sounds like a partay!! Hopefully that Jerk, Irene doesn't crash the party in any way.
I absolutely adore classic Disney photos! Thank you!
It should be fun. I have them well trained! And it looks like Irene heard she isn't welcome and is scooting out to sea. I'm sure that's good news for you too!
Quote:
Originally Posted by skateycat
So glad to see another TR from you, Sha....and maybe just maybe THIS time i might get to actually see you. it sounds like a classic family trip for you. and loving the photos of everyone! you and your mom were too cute outside the tiki room! i think that they have moved irene over a bit further and may be mostly out in the atlantic....far far from orlando!
If I don't get to see you this time, Sheri, I don't know what I'll do.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Principessa_di_Fata
YAY! I finally came into a TR (ok, PTR, whatever) at the beginning! LOVE the start with all of the photos from the past! Brilliant idea!!!
And I agree with the others - your mom was, and is, a rockstar!
I thought it would be fun to post different photos. I mean, I realize y'all are tired of seeing the same photos of me over and over again! Glad everybody enjoyed the vintage pics!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcneal
Love the picture of you and your mom! My DD had cute little hat like that. Can't wait to hear all about the trip. Have your mom to have some chocolate for me!
And DM will be glad to have an excuse to eat some extra chocolate! (She's already eating her share, but now she can have more! )
Quote:
Originally Posted by DawnK
Huh? Going to Disney World? You? Imagine that!!!!
And how cute were you in that picture...okay still are!!! Looking forward to hearing all about it!!!
I know, it's so unusual right?
Quote:
Originally Posted by LLaffinPlace
Great start, Sharon! I couldn't remember when you were leaving to go to WDW, but I did remember that this was a family trip. Love the of your first trip!
See ya real soon!
Can't wait, Larry!
Quote:
Originally Posted by taylan1
Love, love, love the photo of you and your Mom on your first trip!! So adorable! I can't wait to find out more and sending major that Irene stays away from the World and your good weather mojo keeps its streak!
Thanks for the pixies! They're working!
Quote:
Originally Posted by tcmary
Glad your back with another TR. I am loving your Italy TR! Your photos are a fun trip back in time. Thanks for sharing them.
I bet this hurricane will blow right out to sea and you'll continue with a lucky streak of good weather.
I hope so!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilovedisney247
Well Sha it looks like the weather gods are once again smiling down on you and I'm so happy about it!
Well, I won't say it was my weather mojo, but...
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
As I mentioned in my first post, we’ll be staying at the Mystic Dunes Resort. It’s not my first choice, obviously (I much prefer to stay on property), but it will be fun staying with my family (at least I keep telling myself it will be ), and hey, I can’t complain much, since I get to stay there for free! Whee! I couldn’t resist adding on to the trip (I couldn’t leave Disney with 2 days to do nothing at home), so I decided to extend my trip. Where to stay was easy for a change. This will be my only opportunity this year to stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, which is my absolute favorite resort. I didn’t have enough points sitting around to stay at the villas, but I managed to score a really great bounceback rate.
The last week of August is a terrific time of the year to go to the parks because so much of the country has returned to school. Last year was awesome because by some anomaly, even schools here in the northeast started before Labor Day, which, like never happens! I don’t expect to see 7 minute waits for Soarin’ again (yes, you read that right - seven), but I do expect low crowds.
Because we’re off property this time (ptooey), I planned our days carefully. I usually like to enjoy Extra Magic Hours, especially the mornings. Since we aren’t able to take advantage of that I planned to avoid the EMH parks. I checked TouringPlans.com and came up with a rough itinerary. From that, I made dining plans. My DM requested that we not have a table service meal every day, mostly because of my DB Ed (he who hates to spend money). I usually like a table service meal a day myself, so I planned to eat some meals myself.
Because we’re off property, we need a car. And although my family members share my love of Disney, they do not share my love of getting up early! I figured I’d rent my own car and head to the parks for rope drop (and anyone ready can come with me). The others can get there whenever. I have a midsize for myself, and the rest of the family will enjoy a full size car. Aside from me not having to wait for anyone it is really convenient to have two cars rather than one for all of us (and Eric’s).
When it came time to book flights (all the planning fell to me, in case you haven’t noticed), I decided to go with a later flight than I normally catch (I try to get the first flight out). I figured this way it wouldn’t be too difficult for everyone to get up, but judging by the boys’ excitement level, that wasn’t necessary! I imagine this will be the scene on Saturday morning around 6:00: Also, because I am awesome, I was able to score everybody $80 flights each way on Southwest! Direct! At good times! Go me! I booked the Early Bird Check In for myself because I like the convenience of not having to worry about checking in. Of course, it will be up to me to check everyone else in but I didn’t think they wanted to pony up the extra $20 per person. Something about making my awesome flight deal seem less awesome.
It’s enjoyable traveling with such a big group of family members because we get along really well for the most part (the boys can be… well, boys ). Also, after years of traveling with me, they’ve learned that I know all! Seriously, they let me decide everything this time, even the dates. I did poll the group for some of our ADRs together, but everything was planned by me. I get very little resistance when I’m guiding them around in the parks, too, which is a nice bonus!
And it seems Irene has changed her path. Not saying it’s my weather mojo that did it. Because if I said that, it would probably rain non-stop every day we’re in Orlando. And Irene seems to be heading up the coast and straight for New York and Long Island! We should get out before she arrives here, but she’s still being a pest. Luckily, it seems like she won’t be as destructive based on the path I saw on the news this morning.
So without further ado, here’s our basic schedule. Note that I decided we didn’t need parkhoppers, so I’m not parkhopping as much as I ordinarily would.
Saturday, August 27 – We’ll land at MCO just before noon. After picking up our rental cars, I plan for us to split up. I (and possibly Noah and Daniel) will head to the MK to get my new AP. Oh! I forgot to mention I’m getting a Premier Annual Pass, since I’ll be heading to Disneyland twice before it’ll be due to expire! It’s good at all the WDW parks, water parks, and Disney Quest, as well as the Disneyland parks! I’ll be texting a photo of it to Eileen shortly thereafter, with a message like “neener neener neener!” That’ll make up for being AP-less for three whole months! The rest of the family will head to the timeshare, check in, and then DM will go shopping for food. I plan to get counter service for dinner. The rest of the group will probably eat at the timeshare.
Sunday, August 28 – This is our Animal Kingdom day. AK is a favorite with our family. This night is one of our group ADRs – Boma for dinner. DB Ed was talking about this restaurant yesterday, so I’m thinking that’s what he’s most looking forward to!
Monday, August 29 – We’ll spend the entire day at the Magic Kingdom. I plan to head to The Wave solo for breakfast for one reason only: sweet potato pancakes!
Tuesday, August 30 – I’m planning on Hollywood Studios this day. I’m hoping this will be the day I convince everyone to be at the park at opening. Riding Toy Story Mania as a group is #1 priority! I made a lunch ADR for just me and my nephews at the Sci-Fi because they loved it so much last year. I want to stay for Fantasmic! because it’s been too long since I last saw it.
Wednesday, August 31 – Epcot day. I always feel like I never spend enough time at Epcot, but then the boys (particularly Daniel) don’t enjoy Epcot as much as the grown-ups do, so I’ll make up for lost time once the family leaves. We don’t have an ADR this day, but I don’t think I’ll have trouble convincing the family to pop over to Beaches and Cream for lunch. We polished off the Kitchen Sink last year, which was a highlight of our trip!
Thursday, September 1 – OK, brace yourselves. We’re going to Universal Studios! DSIL is a huge fan of Harry Potter and really wants to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I’ve not read any of the books nor seen any of the films, but I do want to see the WWOHP, so we’re going to the dark side. Rather than pay for Express Passes for all of us, I scored a room at the Royal Pacific Resort for one night (I got an employee rate). I’ll be having dinner with whichever of my family members want to join me at one of my favorite restaurants, Mama Della’s at the Portofino Bay Hotel.
Friday, September 2 – Depending upon which ticket we end up getting (we still haven’t purchased them! ), we may start the day with early entry at Islands of Adventure. Then we’ll head to Typhoon Lagoon. After that, we’ll probably head to the Magic Kingdom for the evening. We don’t have any ADRs this day.
Saturday, September 3 – The family is flying home this morning. But I won’t be alone! I’m meeting up with friends old and new. I’ll drive to the airport and drop off my car. Then I’m taking DME to AKL. Once I’ve checked in, I’ll head to Epcot to meet up with my friends Benjamin and Linda (I met them on my ABD trip). Dinner that night will be with PassPorters Bob (UncleBob) & Larry (LLaffinPlace) at Narcoossee’s. If I have the energy, I may head over to the MK after dinner for Wishes.
Sunday, September 4 – This day will be nearly a repeat of Saturday – Epcot to start, dinner with Bob & Larry (at Artist Point this time) and possibly topping the night off at the MK. It’s EMH at the MK that night, so it’s more likely I’ll head to the park after dinner.
Monday, September 5 – It’ll most likely be split between AK and DHS. I do have a full day in both parks, so this will give me a chance to redo some of my favorites. My return flight is at 9:40, so I’m expecting DME pickup around 6:30 or so.
These plans are absolutely subject to change. I am very flexible about changing plans when necessary. But I think this will work well for us, so I don’t expect to deviate much from this. If you see me leading my family members around the park, be sure to say hi!
Up Next: Last Minute Details
__________________
Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
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LOVE the start with all of the photos from the past! Brilliant idea!!!
Mary - not enough trips!
Katie's graduation
of your first trip!
that Irene stays away from the World and your good weather mojo keeps its streak! 
,
Hoping you'll have a countdown soon! 
I love your big family TRs. I also love your Mom's pants in the photo from your first trip! I think Disney is your DNA! I'm going to have to look through the old family albums the next time I visit my folks and see if I can hunt up some photos from our first family trip.
That helps, trust me!
it!!!
Tracy! And I know, it doesn't take long to become addicted!
Yes, it seems like Irene is moving further east, which is good news for almost everyone! 
. I love all the pictures in your post - especially of your first trip to Disney. What a blast from the past - Adventureland with NO magic carpets - it looks so wide open (well it was). And next to no people in that picture - I don't think I've ever seen Adventureland that deserted (but I suppose the gray day helped with that).
And when annoying little things pop up during the trip, I try to make a joke out of that too! I guess it makes it more entertaining for me instead of getting on my nerves, and you all get a laugh out of it too! 
But the Disney bug just trickles down from generation to generation doesn't it? 
) that Irene banks a hard right out to sea!
Jill!
Also, because I am awesome, 
I booked the Early Bird Check In for myself because I like the convenience of not having to worry about checking in. Of course, it will be up to me to check everyone else in 
but I didn’t think they wanted to pony up the extra $20 per person. 
). Also, after years of traveling with me, they’ve learned that I know all! 
Seriously, they let me decide everything this time, even the dates. I did poll the group for some of our ADRs together, but everything was planned by me. I get very little resistance when I’m guiding them around in the parks, too, which is a nice bonus! 
Because if I said that, it would probably rain non-stop every day we’re in Orlando. 
And Irene seems to be heading up the coast and straight for New York and Long Island! 
The rest of the family will head to the timeshare, check in, and then DM will go shopping for food. I plan to get counter service for dinner. The rest of the group will probably eat at the timeshare.
DB Ed was talking about this restaurant yesterday, so I’m thinking that’s what he’s most looking forward to! 
DSIL is a huge fan of Harry Potter and really wants to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I’ve not read any of the books nor seen any of the films, but I do want to see the WWOHP, so we’re going to the dark side. Rather than pay for Express Passes for all of us, I scored a room at the Royal Pacific Resort for one night (I got an employee rate). I’ll be having dinner with whichever of my family members want to join me at one of my favorite restaurants, Mama Della’s at the Portofino Bay Hotel. 
Our 3 princesses LOVE the RED SOX!!!!
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