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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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I really love your pictures especially the ones on the dark rides. I don't have lenses that allow me to get clear shots in the dark. I have probably asked before, but what camera and lens do you typically use?
I just got all caught up with your updates and my what a first day you've had! That tour guide sounded awful and I'm glad that you both got a gift card refund for it! Sorry that your meal at Narcoossee's was ruined by that awful man and his family. I really loved your room at the Polynesian! My DH and I did the DVC tour of the bungalows and the DVC rooms during our December trip and I fell in love with the new design! We used to stay at the Poly back in the early 80's, when they only had the Contemporary or the Polynesian, but then it just got so expensive to stay there. On our last trip this past May, we went over to take a look at the new pool area and it's so beautiful! Sorry you were disappointed in your meal at Teppan Edo as that is one of our favorite Epcot restaurants. We always enjoy getting the chance to talk with other guests at our table and hear what their experiences have been like at Disney. It's nice that you have such a good time with your fellow co-workers.
Great update! Sorry about the horrible tour guide but glad to hear you & Cass both got reimbursed for what you had paid. Sounds like the group had lots of fun at MK with all those FP's.
She was just so bad. She should have not been allowed to take guests on her own yet.
That night was a lot of fun and full of laughs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Oh my goodness, that tour was just unbelievable! I literally was just sitting here reading it with my jaw dropping open at every bit I read. I can understand she may have been new, but she obviously wasn't yet up to doing tours on her own. Thank goodness you got your money back in the end.
I am glad too. It was such a poor tour. Then to make it worse, Ellen, Katie and Wendy had done the Keys to the Kingdom tour over at MK the same day and they were talking about how they had the best tour guide ever and of course that made us even more mad and jealous. LOL.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DMA
What a lousy tour guide! I'm glad to hear you got your money back.
Sounds like you had a lot of fun the rest of the day though.
Even with the bad tour we still had a fun day and seeing all the girls was so nice.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
What a bummer with the tour! But you have made me so hungry for dinner at Teppan Edo.
LOL. I was so looking forward to Teppan Edo but it was not even close to what we have at home so it was a disappointment for me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tcmary
I have been pronouncing the restaurant names the same way you have!! You sure made the most of your day.
I knew I wasn't the only one. hahahaha
Quote:
Originally Posted by NanaTink
oh so sorry for the tour issues! I'm betting also that it was her first tour and the closed eyes were her trying to remember her script! I hope they sent her back for retraining and she got better at her job!!
I sure hope they did. I hope the others in our group complained too because I am sure once she has more training she will be fine, but she was not ready to be on her own yet.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rhinohunter
Sounds like this was an usual Disney trip. So far you are having problem after problem. Judy and I took the Epcot tour several years ago and it was great. Glad Disney was responsive and refunded the money. At least you had a lot of good luck with the CMs at the rides. I can understand not being allowed to sneak on SDMT. That one seems to always be soo crowded.
I have heard great things about the tour and had we had another guide I am sure it would have been much better.
Yeah I agree about the mine train but one can still hope. hahaha.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rhinohunter
I really love your pictures especially the ones on the dark rides. I don't have lenses that allow me to get clear shots in the dark. I have probably asked before, but what camera and lens do you typically use?
I have a Canon 50D. I have all sorts of lenses and some are much better for dark rides. The 30mm and 50 mm are really good but I don't bring them much anymore because it's so heavy to bring so many extra lenses. I pretty much stick to my 18-200 mm lense now. I think it is a Sigma. It's a nice lense for all around. I can get some telephoto shots with and some close ups. Super easy for walking around and not having to change for what you need.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lindawdw
I just got all caught up with your updates and my what a first day you've had! That tour guide sounded awful and I'm glad that you both got a gift card refund for it! Sorry that your meal at Narcoossee's was ruined by that awful man and his family. I really loved your room at the Polynesian! My DH and I did the DVC tour of the bungalows and the DVC rooms during our December trip and I fell in love with the new design! We used to stay at the Poly back in the early 80's, when they only had the Contemporary or the Polynesian, but then it just got so expensive to stay there. On our last trip this past May, we went over to take a look at the new pool area and it's so beautiful! Sorry you were disappointed in your meal at Teppan Edo as that is one of our favorite Epcot restaurants. We always enjoy getting the chance to talk with other guests at our table and hear what their experiences have been like at Disney. It's nice that you have such a good time with your fellow co-workers.
The Poly room was so much nicer than I thought it would be. I was sold on it. And being so close to the monorail was just fabulous.
I think with Teppon Edo it wasn't bad, but what we have here is soooo much better that to compare the 2 Teppon Edo would lose easily. Had I never been to one before, I probably would have liked it much more.
I woke up WAY too early. I wasn’t sure if I should try and go back to bed or get up and get ready for the day. Then I remembered the Animal Kingdom had early entry today and thought…what the heck, I’ll head there.
I arrived just after opening, but considering I wasn’t planning on going there this morning that wasn’t too bad.
I loved it and rode it 5 times in a row in 45 minutes. I could have kept going too but I was getting a little sick and needed to move on as well. The line was next to nothing and when it started filling they opened up the single rider line and I used that a few times.
I stopped and got a hot chocolate…because it was cold and I think I got a muffin too. I sat down and ate it and did a little browsing through a few stores and then headed out.
Along with a few thousand of my closest friends. LOL.
I only walked through Epcot because I was picking up maps for my collection and I didn’t feel the need to ride any of the rides that were open at the time.
I stopped in the store right there at the International Gateway and found a shirt I had been looking at but never found it in my size…They had it. I also picked up a couple of other things and then I headed on my way again.
The boat to Studios had just pulled up, so I hopped on and took a leisurely ride over.
During this time some texts had been going out. The plan for today was to tour each others rooms….doing a resort tour type of thing. The first stop was going to be Coronado and I didn’t feel like going to that one, nor did Cass. They were eating lunch there and then touring someone’s room. I felt bad because they thought I was coming and were waiting on me at one point. Finally I let them know that no I wasn’t coming and sorry for the misunderstanding. I think only a few went there.
After lunch I headed out and took the bus back the Poly where I would meet up with Cass and we were going to then meet the others at the Boardwalk.
When I got back I started walking to the bus stop and Cass said no, she wanted to take Uber as it would be faster…Aha…good idea. So we did and of course it was raining when we got there. We arrived about the same time as the others and we all stood outside and waited for those who had cars parked.
We then headed inside. Some of the co-workers that hadn’t been at dinner last night were now with us, so I said hello and met all the new faces.
You can see some of the girls wearing matching shirts. One of our co-workers, Kelly, made those and they were so cute. But I didn’t realize we were wearing them while we toured. I thought they were for tonight. I wasn’t the only one, but I wish I would have asked and known.
I was standing here talking to Kelly and the door opened and it was Charlotte. Lots of screaming and hugging went on and I could tell that Charlotte would be a total riot and lots of fun.
Next stop was the Poly. We were going to tour our room and also Pam and Deb’s room. Now Pam and Deb had not joined us for the tours and I wasn’t sure why at first, but later found out that their building’s fire alarm went off in the middle of the night and they were evacuated for several hours. I don’t think there was ever an issue, but they had to clear the building. Deb said it had been darn cold out too. So they were sleeping in since they didn’t get much sleep at night. (They did get some compensation for their troubles).
Brook parked the car near our room and this car was in front of us. Now that is a LONG drive to Disney.
Brook went to go get the rest of the girls to show them where are room was.
Cass and I ran in to clean and straighten up our room. We kept laughing like we were teens getting a room inspection and everything had to be just right. Cass was too shy to move Brook’s stuff. I wasn’t. LOL. I shoved her suitcase under the bed and organized everything.
Soon they all arrived and they got to see our room with the couch bed out. Cass laid out candy treats for everyone and I had a little something I gave to each of the girls as well.
We then moved on over to the next building where Deb and Pam were staying.
Which kind of sucks now that the bungalows have been built.
I did not take pictures of their room as it was pretty much identical to ours.
The original plan was to go to Bay Lake Tower next and see Katie and Ellens room but since we were having dinner at the Contemporary we decided we could go and see it before dinner. (that never panned out though, at least for me. I don’t know if anyone else saw it or not).
Some of the girls were going to meet at Trader Sams and have drinks and we were going to show examples of how we do things, so I went back to my room to get my folder. In the mean time I got a text saying that was postponed till later as well and that some were just chilling there and having drinks.
I think I called home and then decided to head over and see if they were still there. They were actually sitting outside as the inside was full, and they put their name in for when it opened up.
We ordered some drinks. Mine was ok, but not something I would probably get again. It was good, just not my type. Of course I took pictures of the others too.
We ordered some food and I failed at taking pictures. We did get called inside and if I remember right the food hadn’t arrived yet so she brought it in once it came….but I could be wrong on that. I do know it was good, but very light appetizer type stuff.
A few months before the trip we were supposed to vote for the most helpful co-worker. I honestly did not like doing this as I have so many that are helpful. I actually wasn’t even going to cast a vote but on the last day I was messaged and asked for a vote. I basically threw out several names. I just think a lot of these kind of votes are like popularity contests. I may have many people who help me with something, but if I was going to vote, I would vote for my favorite one. I know a few others felt the same way, but in the end I think we all did give a vote.
Tonight was the announcement of who had won. I really had no clue who would, because I think so many people are helpful. My co-worker Deb was named and I think she was shocked. She got a nice little trophy. Some people got emotional over her winning….in a good way…but that kind of makes me uncomfortable. I had to tell someone to stop crying. Hahahaha!
After that we all chatted while we waited for dinner. Someone, I think Katie, took a picture of Cass and I.
I thought it was good, but not a big wow. Honestly I felt the menu was limited for things I would like. I had heard how so many people like this place and though it was not bad, I don’t see me coming back anytime soon. It was pricey for what I got and it was just average in taste.
After dinner many of us shopped in the stores of the Contemporary and then one by one we started heading back to our resorts. My plan had been to go to the Magic Kingdom tonight as that would make it 4 parks I had visited that day. But by the end of dinner I was just too tired and it was still drizzly out and cold. Had it been nicer I think I would have gone over for a little bit at least.
Cass and I made our way back to the Poly and got off at the T&TC and walked to our building just as the fireworks were starting.
When I got back I decided I needed a diet coke so I went to the vending machine and came back to Cass and Brook in deep conversation. I got ready for bed and listened and commented but I was pretty tired and soon Cass and I both were drifting off. Brook was doing some last minute work (this girl NEVER takes a break) and I had to laugh as when she reads emails, she reads them to herself out loud and then answers them out loud. It was so funny to hear her replies.
Tomorrow we were heading off to cruise on the Magic and we could hardly wait. I think for almost all of us, this was the main reason to come in this trip. We all love cruising and it would be so much fun with all of us together.
And that is the end of the Disney portion. I had continued on to the Disney Magic and that report is already written and posted!
Thanks for sticking with me!
I recently went to Jamaica to tour some Sandals and a Beaches resort. it was so beautiful and eventually I will write something up on that. I also plan to write a report on last Thanksgivings NYC trip too.
A little sneak peek at the Jamaican trip....flying down we flew over the Bahamas and I was looking out the window and captured this. I was so excited to see it from the air.
Wonderful update! Love Boardwalk and love the new refresh. We haven't stayed there in years!
Love you got to go on EE so many times! You made quite a morning for yourself!
Wow, you must have posted the same time I did! Love the finish of your trip. How wonderful you were all able to meet up and have such a fun and productive work trip!
And that final photo of Castaway Cay!!! AWESOME to see it from the air and really get a sense of just how big that island really is! Amazing!
T
Thank you for sharing your trips with us! I've read all three parts and enjoyed them immensely. Your photos are wonderful!
Wow, three parks before lunchtime - that's seriously impressive! Loved all the various room photos as well. Interesting to see Trader Sam's, I'm hoping to go there next month, but in all honesty, it doesn't look as amazing inside as I was hoping.
Thanks so much for sharing this part of your trip with us!
Your photos are great! I have never seen so many Poly photos in a TR and LOVED them! 'Only' 10 months until we are there again. Thanks for taking the time to write such a great TR!
It took me a while to figure out what kind of business you were in. And why going to the different rooms was part of your trip! Duh!
Should have noticed your signature sooner, I guess!
I thoroughly enjoyed this portion of your trip Jen! How fun that you all decided to do a tour of each other's resort rooms! My DH and I tour the deluxe hotels almost every trip as it's one of my favorite things to do at Disney! Thanks so much for taking us along on your adventure. What a beautiful picture you were able to take from the plane of the Bahamas!
Wonderful update! Love Boardwalk and love the new refresh. We haven't stayed there in years!
Love you got to go on EE so many times! You made quite a morning for yourself!
That's on my list to stay.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NanaTink
Wow, you must have posted the same time I did! Love the finish of your trip. How wonderful you were all able to meet up and have such a fun and productive work trip!
And that final photo of Castaway Cay!!! AWESOME to see it from the air and really get a sense of just how big that island really is! Amazing!
T
Thank you for sharing your trips with us! I've read all three parts and enjoyed them immensely. Your photos are wonderful!
Seeing CC from the air was so cool. I never expected to or even to be able to pick it out. I got so excited pointing it out that many others took pictures and I think half had no clue what they were taking a picture of. LOL>
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Wow, three parks before lunchtime - that's seriously impressive! Loved all the various room photos as well. Interesting to see Trader Sam's, I'm hoping to go there next month, but in all honesty, it doesn't look as amazing inside as I was hoping.
Thanks so much for sharing this part of your trip with us!
I was less than impressed with Trader Sams too. It was so small and dark. And the drinks were really high priced.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Glad you had a great time! Thanks for sharing your trip with us! Great shot of CC!
Thanks for reading along!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by nursemom
Your photos are great! I have never seen so many Poly photos in a TR and LOVED them! 'Only' 10 months until we are there again. Thanks for taking the time to write such a great TR!
I always try to take lots of pictures of where I stay but this time I think I actually took less than my normal amounts. LOL.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DMA
It took me a while to figure out what kind of business you were in. And why going to the different rooms was part of your trip! Duh!
Should have noticed your signature sooner, I guess!
Yes, I am a travel agent. I write my reports up in word and post on a few boards. Most boards don't allow me to say my job so I just keep it simple when I write and not mention it so I don't get in trouble. It's nice that Passporters allows you to say it. I surely never try to push myself on anyone here as I don't want to over step bounds but it is nice to at least say what I do. I have gotten warnings on the Disboards for just saying the word client once. Honestly if you don't know my job how would the word client mean that I am an agent. LOL.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
I was hoping you'd make it to MK as you gotten three parks in so quickly in the morning. But cold and rainy definitely wouldn't make for much fun.
I am bummed I didn't ever get there that day but it was just so wet and cold and the thought of even entering just for a few minutes made me shudder at that point.
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Pixie Dust
Sorry that your meal at Narcoossee's was ruined by that awful man and his family. I really loved your room at the Polynesian! My DH and I did the DVC tour of the bungalows and the DVC rooms during our December trip and I fell in love with the new design! We used to stay at the Poly back in the early 80's, when they only had the Contemporary or the Polynesian, but then it just got so expensive to stay there. On our last trip this past May, we went over to take a look at the new pool area and it's so beautiful! Sorry you were disappointed in your meal at Teppan Edo as that is one of our favorite Epcot restaurants. We always enjoy getting the chance to talk with other guests at our table and hear what their experiences have been like at Disney. It's nice that you have such a good time with your fellow co-workers.
Thank goodness you got your money back in the end. 
]
PassPorter Guide Author
Great shot of CC! 
Dana
Duh! 
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