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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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Although I will mention right here for those who might not know it but Orlando International is a gum free airport. I know this only because as I was being rung out, another customer asked the cashier where all the gum was and that’s what the cashier answered. "Orlando is a gum free airport. We don’t sell gum." That must really stink for those who need it on a flight.
That's a Disney thing. They asked MCO not to sell gum because they don't want gum in the parks.
I had a wonderful time following along to your trip report. All the ups and all the downs - just like real life. It doesn't stop at the welcome sign
BTW - that hat you're wearing in the AK pictures, where did you get it? I love the huge brim on it! I can't find the hat that is in my sig picture and it's frustrating me.
The thing about the discount at the Disney Store is odd. The folks at our Disney outlet always mention it when we use our card. Huh.
For some reason, I can't see the photopass pictures, but no trouble seeing anything else. I'll try again later, because it sounds like there are some good ones!
Hey, you want to come along with us so you can write up my TR? *grin*
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Disney World Trips So Far: 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015a, 2015b, 2016a (2016b in planning)
Sad to see it ending, but at least we have a summary to go!! I always enjoy the summaries. I love the photopass pic with the fireworks in the background - what timing!!
Can't wait to hear about the dining prices. I'd love to know how it worked out for you, but since I leave TOMMORROW I guess I will find out when I get back!
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.
I was WAY behind! But I have enjoyed being able to read back to back updates and get caught up! We love night time at MK. That is the only park we have stayed late in, but we enjoy the rides and walking around without too many people. Cosmic rays is a great place to eat with lots of variety! How awesome you were able to get fp for both M&G's. Love the pictures with Abby and the princesses! I see your point about flying and getting home so quick it feels like the trip didn't happen. I'd like to fly there to hurry up and get there, but coming home, I like to slowly get back to reality!
It's taken some time but I've finally caught up! At least I caught up before you posted your summaries! Although it seems there were ups and downs (but aren't there always?), sounds like a lot of fun was had! I have to tell you, Abby has her "princess hands" pose down pat! Love it!
You're all caught up for now Sharon. I haven't done my summaries yet. I'll do those tomorrow. All I did today was my last day and the Photopass pictures. Yeah, looking back we did have a lot of fun as well as the down times. Yeah, Abby picked up on her Princess Pose very quickly. Too bad she didn't act like more one instead of a Mexican Jumping Bean with always moving and jumping around
Quote:
Originally Posted by shnewell
I'm happy everything went smoothly on the journey home! I'm sorry that you didn't feel like you had the vacation you wanted. The same thing happened to me after our June 2009 trip. I can't really explain why, but I just didn't feel like it was the vacation I had envisioned for us. Needless to say, my "cure" was to plan a trip for 2010.
I am looking forward to your summary, particularly about the food cost w/o DDP. I always think I'm going to do that on our trips, then I never manage to keep good track of my receipts (even with my Passporter), mainly because DH will go off and buy stuff and throw away the receipts before I can even see them!
Edited to add: I think the Photopass picture of the 3 of you with Donald in AK with everyone (including Donald) wearing a hat is adorable!
Yeah, I need the "cure" of a return vacation but sadly it won't be happening as soon as I want it to though. I love Abby, don't get me wrong but with her being the way she is, I can't even go out and get any kind of part time job to earn money for it. And between her and working in a school, there's no way I'll do anything like babysitting. Again, I love her, but I get tired of dealing with kids all the time - I'd want something where I can actually interact with adults.
Lenny has on occasion done that to me too - he'll go to the food court for something and between there and our room (which is always preferred and about as close as you can get), there's no receipt. "Dear, you didn't go far, what happened to it?" This year if anyone ran to the food court it was me. He only went for sodas.
Thanks about the picture. I think I was going to take my hat off but someone (I'm thinking it might have been Lenny - could have been Photopass) said to leave it on.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Glad you got the car back on time! Great finish to your trip report.
Thanks Cheryl. I'm glad you read along and enjoyed my TR.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunshine Family
That's a Disney thing. They asked MCO not to sell gum because they don't want gum in the parks.
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Really - Disney doesn't want it? Well I know they don't but I find it odd they asked the airport not to sell it. Especially since there's a whole bunch of places between there and Disney where you can stop and buy it - and have it on Disney property if you have.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunshine Family
I had a wonderful time following along to your trip report. All the ups and all the downs - just like real life. It doesn't stop at the welcome sign
BTW - that hat you're wearing in the AK pictures, where did you get it? I love the huge brim on it! I can't find the hat that is in my sig picture and it's frustrating me.
Thanks Tink. I'm glad you've enjoyed my TR - and you're 100% right - real life doesn't stop at the Welcome Sign but for the most part we can pretend it does for whatever length of time we're there.
My hat I bought at Walmart a few years ago. It's been on the last 4 trips to Disney, it might have even been on the first one with Lenny and Abby back in 2006 (although I'll have to look at my old pictures to see if it's in any of them). My hat is getting so old and worn that Lenny has even fixed it with our glue gun because he doesn't want to see me replace it. I can't blame him because it does look nice on me and it's really comfortable to wear (I don't wear hats often, but it has to be comfortable for me)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nyreak
The thing about the discount at the Disney Store is odd. The folks at our Disney outlet always mention it when we use our card. Huh.
For some reason, I can't see the photopass pictures, but no trouble seeing anything else. I'll try again later, because it sounds like there are some good ones!
Hey, you want to come along with us so you can write up my TR? *grin*
I thought it odd too the woman couldn't say Discount but maybe being in the airport, they're afraid too many people will want one not realizing it's linked to a specific card? If not, I have no idea. I also have no idea why you can't see my Photopass pictures. Hopefully it's just a page error and they'll come back if you hit refresh.
As for coming along, as my title indicates, if you're buying, I'm flying . Although you won't be able to shove me in a suitcase - I'm a little too overweight for that - it would be cheaper to buy me seat And if I go, that means lots of pictures and notes for a TR.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Principessa_di_Fata
Sad to see it ending, but at least we have a summary to go!! I always enjoy the summaries. I love the photopass pic with the fireworks in the background - what timing!!
Thanks. I'm glad you've enjoyed it and want to read my summaries. I'll post them tomorrow. And the Photopass with the fireworks is all due to the Photographer. Mickey's stage show was just finishing up in the background and he asked if we could wait, he'd get those in the shots for us. He had it timed perfectly and told us exactly when they'd go off so needless to say, he obviously spends a lot of his time near the castle to know the exact moment they all go off - all 3 different times of fireworks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kangelop
Can't wait to hear about the dining prices. I'd love to know how it worked out for you, but since I leave TOMMORROW I guess I will find out when I get back!
Sorry Kim, had I know you were leaving tomorrow, I would have posted sooner (now if you believe that, I have some swamp land very close to Disney I can sell you ). Although I can tell by your post, you're not too happy to be leaving . Seriously though, I'd like to say I'll have it posted before you leave but I doubt I'll have anything posted before this time (about 6:45) tomorrow night. And if that turns out to be the case, you'll have something to look forward to when you come home. I hope you have a magical trip and write a TR when you get home.
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.
I was WAY behind! But I have enjoyed being able to read back to back updates and get caught up! We love night time at MK. That is the only park we have stayed late in, but we enjoy the rides and walking around without too many people. Cosmic rays is a great place to eat with lots of variety! How awesome you were able to get fp for both M&G's. Love the pictures with Abby and the princesses! I see your point about flying and getting home so quick it feels like the trip didn't happen. I'd like to fly there to hurry up and get there, but coming home, I like to slowly get back to reality!
Can't wait for the summaries!!!!
Thanks Elisa. I'm glad you're caught up and I know exactly what you're saying about back to back updates - you can go right along and not have to hurry up and wait. Although we had a good time at the MK so late, I doubt it will ever happen again but who knows? It's going to be a while before we make it back. And I agree with you on everything else - Cosmic Ray's is great. Other than CP, it really is the only place we stop to eat at the MK. I was surprised about the FP for both M&G's, I didn't realize I could do that. The pictures with the Princesses were the best ones. We had some with all of us in the pictures but for some reason in them, Abby was turned to her daddy instead of the Princesses . Even though this time was a "first" time flying, I agree - it was really, really nice getting there so quickly but a bummer being home so soon. I'll have to see what I can do about that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
Glad you got the rental car back in time and you made it home safe and sound. Great photopass pictures! Can't wait to read your final thoughts!
Thanks so much Kathy. I'm glad you've enjoyed my TR. I do my final thoughts tomorrow.
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.
Great job! This is the first trip report I have actually remembered to read from start to (almost) finish! It was very funny and REAL!! I love the pictures, I think one of my favs is the near AK where Abby is holding one of her many Disney babies.
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but Orlando International is a gum free airport. I know this only because as I was being rung out, another customer asked the cashier where all the gum was and that’s what the cashier answered. "Orlando is a gum free airport. We don’t sell gum." That must really stink for those who need it on a flight.
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I was wondering about the reason for this when I read Darlene's original post. Wowza.
but I've finally caught up! At least I caught up before you posted your summaries! Although it seems there were ups and downs (but aren't there always?), sounds like a lot of fun was had! I have to tell you, Abby has her "princess hands" pose down pat! Love it!
Great finish to your trip report. 
And if I go, that means lots of pictures and notes for a TR. 
). Although I can tell by your post, you're not too happy to be leaving 
. Seriously though, I'd like to say I'll have it posted before you leave but I doubt I'll have anything posted before this time (about 6:45) tomorrow night. And if that turns out to be the case, you'll have something to look forward to when you come home. I hope you have a magical trip and write a TR when you get home.
. Even though this time was a "first" time flying, I agree - it was really, really nice getting there so quickly but a bummer being home so soon. I'll have to see what I can do about that.
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