PTR: A Whole New World - February 6-13, 2015 - 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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
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Great FP+ choices! Congrats on getting Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. :waytogo; As already mentioned, Star Tours is a simulator with no actually spinning or speed. But the visual effects can trick my brain into thinking there is. I do love this one, but I often have to shut my eyes so what I'm seeing doesn't trick my brain into being motion sick.
We tried the Contempo Cafe for the first time this past December. We had it for breakfast... It wasn't a big hit with our crew, but you'll probably have better luck with lunch!
I had plans to eat at Flame Tree BBQ this past trip, but it wasn't open (we wanted to eat early and I think it didn't open till noon)- so we missed out.
We ate Yak & Yeti instead and really, really enjoyed it.
We actually got to eat at the France CS place for the first time this past December... we liked it so well, we ended up eating there a second time! They really have some delish options!
I've yet to eat Bill & Min's or Trail's End.... I'll look forward to hearing how you enjoyed them...
I'll let you know our reviews of Contempo Cafe'. Hopefully, the lunch menu will be as good as it sounds.
I am very excited about eating in France!!!! I have attempted this on several of our trips, but we never made it there. I am determined to get there (at least once) during this trip!
Quote:
Originally Posted by B.M.
I love the new fast pass plus system also!!!
Great choices!!
As for Star Tours.... It's a simulator ride.... No issues with spinning... It just kind of moves you up and down a bit.... Kind of like Dinosaur, but way less jerky.... I think yall will be fine....
We both love Dinosaur, so I think we'll give it a try!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Great FP+ choices! Congrats on getting Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. :waytogo; As already mentioned, Star Tours is a simulator with no actually spinning or speed. But the visual effects can trick my brain into thinking there is. I do love this one, but I often have to shut my eyes so what I'm seeing doesn't trick my brain into being motion sick.
I love trying out new rides and we are both excited about Seven Dwarfs. Peter loves BTMRR - so I think he'll love that too!
Quote:
Originally Posted by DMA
Just joining in. Love all your plans so far!
for joining in! I was a little slow in starting this, but at least a got a little PTR posting in before our trip, which btw, is just 10 days away!!!!!!!
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.
Last year, we did our very first "special celebration" trip. We had to postpone our 2013 trip, the year we celebrated our 30th wedding anniversay. Last year, when making reservations, we decided to add a celebration and got anniversary pins. We absolutely loved it! Even Peter, who doesn't care for all the fuss, humored me and went along with everything.
The only other celebration I've done, is when we took Nathan and his classmates on a Senior Trip in Dec. 2012. I didn't get any pins, but others in our group got 1st Visit pins and the Seniors got Special Celebration pins.
Long story short, I am thinking about celebrating my birthday while in Disney. I will turn 50 on March 20th.
I know it will be a little over a month away, but I think 50 is a big year and I think it's worth celebrating...don't you??
I haven't added it to our ressie yet, but thought about calling to add it. Peter thinks it's a great idea (since I'd be the only one wearing a pin this trip)!
I love saying that! You know the trip is very near when you start saying that!
"this time next week" ...............we'll be on the road headed south!!! We should have a few hours behind us already. We plan to drive as far as we can on Thursday (2/05) stopping only for gas and lunch (and of course, bathroom breaks!!) Last year, we got a little later start and ended up stopping around Florence, SC. We hope to get a little further this year. Gas prices are great compared to last year, so we should be traveling a little cheaper in that area.
I did online check-in this morning and requested Calypso section and landscape view. Actually, we really aren't picky about the location, since we'll have the SUV and could drive to the bus stop/food court if we had to walk too far. We did like Calypso, on the one night we stayed last year. We got an upgrade though and could literally jump into the pool from our room and we were right around the corner from the food court-great location!
I couldn't find online where to add the special occasion to our reservation, so I'll just ask for a pin at check-in.
With just 7 days until we start our long road trip, I have lots to do!
-travel folder/notebook
This is pretty much ready. I did online check-in, made our mousekeeping envelopes (but need to put $$ in a few of them). Reservation numbers and times are confirmed. Fast Passes have been chosen. Magic bands and travel packet is already in my bag.
- packing
I have started to gather a few things that will get packed. Mom helped me clean the attic last week, so all summer items were found! I will start putting outfits together and pull aside everything I can. I'll get the suitcases out this weekend and start packing. Last year, I waited until the last minute (our house was in so much mess from the re-do), I promised myself I would never do that again, as I forgot a few things or felt like I had forgotten something the whole drive down! I used to be so organized, but with age, comes forgetfulness!
- get the house organized, finish projects, clean
I rarely leave for vacation without making sure we'll come back to a clean house!
This week, I'll get things organized and clean the house. I also have a hair appointment this week and a mani/pedi next Tuesday. I skipped the tanning bed this year, and know I'll probably be sorry when I get to sunny Florida and and shed the winter clothing! :O) I definitely need a tan!
- menu planning
I usually get creative with my meal planning right before we go on vacation. I try not to buy much and just eat out the freezer and whatever is in the pantry/fridge. This year is no different, I've come up with something for every day until we leave next Thursday.
I can't believe that we leave for Florida NEXT WEEK!!! I don't think I've ever been this excited to go to Disney...( but I think I say this every year)! I think we are going just in time too, as winter has settled in here in Virginia. I love going this time of year, it seems we escape most of the snow /ice anyway.
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