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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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 was getting ready for bed then read your text so I had to come back on....
Oh man! Seriously!!! You've been keeping this from me all this time?
Yes, we did go in December - like 8-15 in 2009. And we did go to MVMCP one night and did go into Cosmic Ray's I believe. (I'll have to check the spreadsheet from that trip to see which night it was.) Was I wearing a red & green headband with a bow? Because that so would have been me.
We WILL meet someday! It just HAS to happen now.
I love that you loved everything about this trip. Josie is going to be so excited when she finds out she's going back. And hey, since you saved all that money, don't you want to tack a day on? That way we can make that statement I made previously come true? So when are you telling Josie about September? That's coming sooner than we know it too!
Just found your TR here at the end, and it came at just the right time as we are considering tacking 5 days onto the front of our November trip to take my nephew to Disney for his 'alone trip'. We don't have kids so we take our nieces every couple years, and it really is his turn.
Loved reading about all the magic.......for some reason I tend to avoid TRs when I don't have a trip planned and then as soon as we book, I am a reading fiend catching up on all I've been missing!
I love all the magic moments you can have when you are a small group with just one child.....not that it isn't great to be there (being at Disney is great any way you cut it), but there is something really magical to me about letting it be all about 1 child and not the balancing act it can become otherwise
Loved your report and I loved that Royal Room at POR. Definitely is on our list to try!
Great wrap-up to a wonderful trip! The magic you experienced with Josie came through in your report. The photos are amazing. Before I bought into DVC my resort of choice was always POFQ. I loved the smaller size, the landscaping and the boats on the river.
Great wrap up, Linny I was happy to hear your rave reviews of POR, we are staying there for the first time in November (it will be our first on property experience as a family ) and now I am super excited about it!!!
So glad you had a great girls only trip, thanks for sharing it with us!
What a fantastic trip report! Your stories and pictures brought back such wonderful memories when I took my girls on mommy and me trips when they were Josie's age. It's such a gift to have that one-on-one time with your child and to let them lead the way.
Okay, so now that I've been labeled the cry baby for this TR...you did it again too!! I agree that PP has been a place to meet great friends and I'm lucky to have found you too! (Now...when's our next frap )
Okay...enough blubbering!!
Seriously, you took some great photos this trip! I LOVE the pic of Josie with the balloon that could be an ad for Disney and you got the perfect monorail/FG&F photo too!
It looks like Josie had a lot of Pixie Hollow to herself that last morning and it's so nice that she shared the balloon with her new friend.
That face of Josie's on the DME is just priceless! That completely sums up how we all feel leaving Disney.
I'm sad that it's over. I REALLY enjoyed following you two along on this special trip. I think you should do it again!!
Linny, I know exactly how you feel about meeting friends through this board, and it KILLS me that we've come so close, but living only one state away from each other, it's going to happen sooner or later. I'm glad you had the chance to take a trip with Josie and get lots of one-on-one time with her. I'm thinking you'll just HAVE to do it again some day, but with Andre!
__________________
Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
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I love that you were "Bracelets Buddies" Evan and I were on our trip in October. We had the matching multi colored Mickey head beaded bracelets.
What a wonderful last day and great wrap up. It is over all too soon. Aren't those quiet times just so nice. Just the kids running around a playground, being kids.
Awesome finish, Linny! I really enjoyed sharing your special trip with your special girl. Those photos are priceless, and bring back lots of memories from when my princess was little. Thanks for letting us all tag along. Looking forward to hearing your plans for September!
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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!
An extra margarita buddy..............I'm down with that
Once it gets closer and you are settled in, we can see if something works out!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
What a great trip! Josie will be expecting those great play areas when you visit Epcot in the fall .
I have to remind her often that those play areas aren't always there and that is why we have never played in them before
Quote:
Originally Posted by stardust190
How bitter sweet that last day is. Looks like you managed to squeeze in as much fun as possible. We might have to check out POR/POFQ someday. We haven't talked much about our next trip or where we're going to stay except it will not be a value. POR/POFQ is definitely on my list after seeing those princess rooms and the playgrounds!
Sure seems like Josie was a bit tired out on the plane. Pictures of sleeping children are always so sweet.
YES!! Look into either of those 2 resorts, I promise you, you will all love it!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by OCEANGRLLG
GREAT TR!!!! Sorry I am just now getting all caught up, we finally got all moved into the new house!!! Great pics, looks like yall had a great time!
Oh HI!!! Getting moved in is a big deal, I know. Congrats to you on the new house again!
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
How did I manage to get so far behind? What a great trip you two had! And you BOTH look like supermodels in your photos. Makes me even more self-conscious of myself - I look the same in every picture! Sounds like letting Josie set the pace worked well for you. And I love that she wants to bring the boys back. Good idea! Can't wait for your final thoughts.
Girl, I have commented before on how nice you stand in your pics...........I think YOU may be the supermodel
I banged this TR out, because I didn;t take notes had to while it was still fresh on this old brain.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles!
What a fantastic last day!!
And the boys loved their postcard from their "Disney pals". So did I.
And since I teared up a few times during this last post I know Dawn will too.
Yes but next time I will remember to send them each their own card......
Can you two please stop with the crying.....I mean really. You are ruining my image
I was getting ready for bed then read your text so I had to come back on....
Oh man! Seriously!!! You've been keeping this from me all this time?
Yes, we did go in December - like 8-15 in 2009. And we did go to MVMCP one night and did go into Cosmic Ray's I believe. (I'll have to check the spreadsheet from that trip to see which night it was.) Was I wearing a red & green headband with a bow? Because that so would have been me.
We WILL meet someday! It just HAS to happen now.
I love that you loved everything about this trip. Josie is going to be so excited when she finds out she's going back. And hey, since you saved all that money, don't you want to tack a day on? That way we can make that statement I made previously come true? So when are you telling Josie about September? That's coming sooner than we know it too!
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles!
So I checked the good 'ol spreadsheet from Dec 2009 trip and we were at MVMCP on December 10 (Thursday) that year.
YUP! It was you
I didn't realize that not ALL places were opened for food on the party nights so we had just walked all over the place and finally got in there and found an empty table, pulled over a high chair and had just started to eat. I was looking around at the mobs of people and actually noticed Mike first, because he is so tall, and was like I think I know him, then I saw you walking out the door pushing a stoller. I wasn't sure if it was you, but now I can confirm it. Ugghhhh, so mad now.
I'm not gonna sweat it, I know I'll meet up with you soon
Just found your TR here at the end, and it came at just the right time as we are considering tacking 5 days onto the front of our November trip to take my nephew to Disney for his 'alone trip'. We don't have kids so we take our nieces every couple years, and it really is his turn.
Loved reading about all the magic.......for some reason I tend to avoid TRs when I don't have a trip planned and then as soon as we book, I am a reading fiend catching up on all I've been missing!
I love all the magic moments you can have when you are a small group with just one child.....not that it isn't great to be there (being at Disney is great any way you cut it), but there is something really magical to me about letting it be all about 1 child and not the balancing act it can become otherwise
Loved your report and I loved that Royal Room at POR. Definitely is on our list to try!
Hi There!!!
I think that is awesome to take your nephew, the one on one time is very cool I have to say, I hope you do plan on doing that, and then of course take us along for the ride too!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
Great wrap-up to a wonderful trip! The magic you experienced with Josie came through in your report. The photos are amazing. Before I bought into DVC my resort of choice was always POFQ. I loved the smaller size, the landscaping and the boats on the river.
Thanks Laurie, to sway me from my loved deluxe resorts is big, but I really did fall in love with both POR and POFQ.
Thank you for following along with me!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great finish Linny! Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us!
Thanks for joining me!
Quote:
Originally Posted by JKnott17
Great wrap up, Linny I was happy to hear your rave reviews of POR, we are staying there for the first time in November (it will be our first on property experience as a family ) and now I am super excited about it!!!
So glad you had a great girls only trip, thanks for sharing it with us!
Oh Jenn, be excited But really do take the time to enjoy the resort too. Are you in one of the RGR? I think the location of those rooms were great, really close to everything and also a close walk to POFQ too, which Josie loked walking around over there also. That side had that campfire thing too. I did find a website about the 2 resorts, I'll look back to find it, but maybe someone else could post it again. That gave me a good idea of what was going on at both places. For me not being a fan of the buses, it really never bothered me once on this trip.
Can't wait to hear about your's!!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jillybean
What a fantastic trip report! Your stories and pictures brought back such wonderful memories when I took my girls on mommy and me trips when they were Josie's age. It's such a gift to have that one-on-one time with your child and to let them lead the way.
Jill
Thanks Jill, I thought of you and the girls often on this trip and I can now say I know what that feeling is like, to just be with one and focus only on them. I will cherish this trip always!
Now I just need an adult only trip so I can really indulge in some fancy food and more FAB's
Quote:
Originally Posted by dsteiny23
Okay, so now that I've been labeled the cry baby for this TR...you did it again too!! I agree that PP has been a place to meet great friends and I'm lucky to have found you too! (Now...when's our next frap )
Okay...enough blubbering!!
Seriously, you took some great photos this trip! I LOVE the pic of Josie with the balloon that could be an ad for Disney and you got the perfect monorail/FG&F photo too!
It looks like Josie had a lot of Pixie Hollow to herself that last morning and it's so nice that she shared the balloon with her new friend.
That face of Josie's on the DME is just priceless! That completely sums up how we all feel leaving Disney.
I'm sad that it's over. I REALLY enjoyed following you two along on this special trip. I think you should do it again!!
Thanks so much Dawn.............stop crying now
Really, you gave me the biggest push and I am really happy you did. Our talks are always special to me.
Now I need a frapp..............you free anytime soon????
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
Linny, I know exactly how you feel about meeting friends through this board, and it KILLS me that we've come so close, but living only one state away from each other, it's going to happen sooner or later. I'm glad you had the chance to take a trip with Josie and get lots of one-on-one time with her. I'm thinking you'll just HAVE to do it again some day, but with Andre!
The friendship thing is crazy right??? I love it!!
I know I always miss you by mere days, or even hours, but yes, we are very close and I have a feeling too I'll see you sooner than I would have thought.
I mentioned to Josie today if it would be OK if I took just Andre to WDW one time...............her response was.............." Uhm, I think maybe we should just all go!"
Quote:
Originally Posted by mousestruck
Awesome finish, Linny! I really enjoyed sharing your special trip with your special girl. Those photos are priceless, and bring back lots of memories from when my princess was little. Thanks for letting us all tag along. Looking forward to hearing your plans for September!
Thank you,
It just reminds me of how short a time you have with them when they are little like this.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MayraLR
Great finish! Glad you had such a great trip with your little princess! And I too love your signature pic. It looks like a Disney ad.
Thank you for tagging along with me. Your trip is getting so close now!!!