My Revamped, Reorganized & Rejuvenating Reunion with the Snowbirds - Page 4 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.
To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.
If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.
Registered Message Board Members save 30% off PassPorter guidebooks! When you register you'll have access to a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of PassPorter books in our online store.
Great topic for a school report! Good timing, too, with your trip and the opportunity to see a show! Can't wait to meet you-- very soon now. Dogs get such pleasure out of being in the snow it's hard not to enjoy it with them. But sunshine and warmth will be better!
I AK. I find it very magical and have never found it chaotic there. An Oasis if you will. Before our first trip there I remember reading that people thought it was a half day park or a skip it park. But we love it and sometimes have a hard time fitting in all the shows because we also love to ride EE more than once . Now Mike has given up on riding EE over and over I think he'll do 2x but that's it. But he loves to explore the queue so he doesn't mind waiting for us
My Dad and I both read books about Everest climbs and watch any movies or documentaries we can find. And we always call each other if we notice something coming up on TV . Why ??? I don't know. Neither of us has climbed anything and we think these climbers are slightly mad. I think we both admire the athletic endurance and find the effects of thin air on people interesting. We have dreamed about taking a trek to base camp just to see it. So I'm looking forward to seeing what Dad thinks of Everest and surroundings. I think it's fanastic.
My Mom's a gardner so I also think she'll love how lush it is. We always seem to see beautiful flowers in bloom when we walk the trails around the Tree of Life. I can't wait to take her around there. So we will walk all the trails, safari, the Flights of Wonder & Festival of the Lion King are all musts.
On my to do list (besides EE) is the parade. We have never caught the full parade and there is a Christmas twist so I need to factor that in and find a good spot for viewing. Any suggestions ??
We have reservations at Boma for 5:10 so I hope the timing of everything works out.
Mike and I love Boma and it's a must every trip for us now. It's also easier when it's a buffet for my picky eater.
After dinner we'll take in the decorations and show my folks the savannah.
There will be no napping, no retreats mid day for a break. But I think it will be a perfect day.
You know I love the idea of savoring every moment and every aspect of AK! Your Mom will love the landscaping. I think the Oasis and the Maharajah Jungle Trek are masterpieces and never tire of those areas even when the animals are in hiding. I've only seen the parade once and wasn't thrilled by it. I've never seen the holiday version, though, and will try to make myself watch it one day this trip!
Wonderful plans and great start! What a great planner and organizer you are, it's an awesome opportunity to spend time with your parents and show them what you love about Disney.
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.
Sounds like you have a nice plan for Animal Kingdom day! I love the AK park too and always feel so peaceful when I'm there. It just makes me happy. I hope your Mom loves the grounds at WDW, I'm always in awe of them and feel inspired while in the parks.
You know I love the idea of savoring every moment and every aspect of AK! Your Mom will love the landscaping. I think the Oasis and the Maharajah Jungle Trek are masterpieces and never tire of those areas even when the animals are in hiding. I've only seen the parade once and wasn't thrilled by it. I've never seen the holiday version, though, and will try to make myself watch it one day this trip!
It's too bad my AK day doesn't happen until you're are gone. Maybe I could have enticed you to watch the parade with us.
Wonderful plans and great start! What a great planner and organizer you are, it's an awesome opportunity to spend time with your parents and show them what you love about Disney.
I'm always so happy when I spend time with my folks but this is Extra special.
Sounds like you have a nice plan for Animal Kingdom day! I love the AK park too and always feel so peaceful when I'm there. It just makes me happy. I hope your Mom loves the grounds at WDW, I'm always in awe of them and feel inspired while in the parks.
I know my Mom will love all the gardens. She used to do woodcarving so I'm so excited to see her reaction to the Tree of Life
Today is serious business for those coming along with me today. Rope drop at MK and straight back to the new Fantasy Land. My parents might choose to meet with us later which is fine. We plan on having counter service at Be Our Guest.
Rachel & I are so looking forward to checking it all out. She Belle and we recently watched Beauty and the Beast so it would be fresh in our minds when we toured. Rachel has also rediscovered our Hidden Mickey book and has been marking which ones she wants to find while we're there. I also reminded her that there is the new Socrcerers of the MK to try out. So she & I will have a busy day. I don't think the other 3 will keep the same hours we will at MK.
We have reservations for the 6:15 Hoop de Doo. Mike likes the corny humour and Rachel laughed way more than I expected . I think my folks will also like it and it's and excuse to be at Fort Wilderness. Since my dad will have the car we'll drive out there and then be able to drive around the trailer park to see all the lights. Also we'll stop in at Wildnerness Lodge to see all the decorations there.
DAY 8
Mike's birthday is December 5 ( same day as Walt ) So his I have arranged for a Segway tour in Epcot before the park opens He talks about wanting to do this quite a bit & since he's nearly impossible to buy for this is perfect. I was going to tell him on his b-day but Rachel wants to wait until the night before to tell him.
Rachel & I will likely head to AK to ride EE and PW and walk the trails. Or she may want to return to MK. I will let her decide. We will all meet up for lunch at 1 at Biergarten. We ate here last trip and I think I ate my weight in potato salad I even decided to have potato salad for dessert. Other than that I don't remember much about it but I find that sometimes a buffet is a good way to please everyone.
This will be our Candlelight Processional ticket as well for the 5pm show. I'm looking forward to the show and have a dedicated area to see Illuminations from was appealing as well.
DAY 9
Is sadly time to say goodbye. We have a 1:30 flight so I assume we'll be whisked off property around 10:30. But with memories to last a lifetime.
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.
About This Page: 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
AK. I find it very magical and have never found it chaotic there. An Oasis if you will. Before our first trip there I remember reading that people thought it was a half day park or a skip it park. But we love it and sometimes have a hard time fitting in all the shows because we also love to ride EE more than once 
. Now Mike has given up on riding EE over and over I think he'll do 2x but that's it. But he loves to explore the queue so he doesn't mind waiting for us
The AK parade is still on my must-do list! Someday! 
PassPorter Guide Author
I love the AK park too and always feel so peaceful when I'm there. It just makes me happy. 
) So his I have arranged for a Segway tour in Epcot before the park opens 
He talks about wanting to do this quite a bit & since he's nearly impossible to buy for this is perfect. I was going to tell him on his b-day but Rachel wants to wait until the night before to tell him.
I even decided to have potato salad for dessert. Other than that I don't remember much about it but I find that sometimes a buffet is a good way to please everyone.
Linear Mode
