Forums Closed
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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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!
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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.
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02-06-2005, 11:55 AM
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#46
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Community Rank: Explorer 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Columbia, SC
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 7,014
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Re: poohmaine’s Christmas at WDW Dec. 18 to 27: Day Two, Part 4
What a great intro to AKL! So neat that they have so many kids' activities! And the view from your room is outstanding!
Jill
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Sponsored links
Check out the many e-books by PassPorter. The e-books are free to download if you have a PassPorter's Club pass.
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02-06-2005, 12:25 PM
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#47
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Community Rank: Globetrotter 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 3,536
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Re: poohmaine’s Christmas at WDW Dec. 18 to 27: Day Two, Part 4
Wow, now that's a limo. Your pictures looke great, especially the AKL one's.
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02-06-2005, 03:59 PM
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#48
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RED SOX NATION!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854
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Re: poohmaine’s Christmas at WDW Dec. 18 to 27: Day Two, Part 4
What great pictures of AKL  More please:
I feel your pain on the dialup, it is a pain, but so worth it 
Hurry back  |
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02-06-2005, 04:11 PM
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#49
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Community Rank: Trekker 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,357
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Re: poohmaine’s Christmas at WDW Dec. 18 to 27: Day Two, Part 4
Great update, thanks!  It brings me right back to AKL!! |
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02-06-2005, 07:49 PM
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#50
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Community Rank: Legend 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: North Central Ohio
Posts: 21,629
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Re: poohmaine’s Christmas at WDW Dec. 18 to 27: Day Two, Part 4
Great view!! Love the picture of the Flamingo's!!  |
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02-06-2005, 08:00 PM
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#51
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Community Rank: Jetsetter 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Berwick, PA
Posts: 2,931
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Re: poohmaine’s Christmas at WDW Dec. 18 to 27: Day Two, Part 4
That limo was too cool!!  What nice surprises you planned for your girls!
Paula |
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02-06-2005, 08:15 PM
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#52
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Community Rank: Trailblazer 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: East Amherst, NY
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 5,128
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Re: poohmaine’s Christmas at WDW Dec. 18 to 27: Day Two, Part 4
I am enjoying your trip report. I know it's a pain to add photos, but it is well worth it!  |
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02-06-2005, 10:18 PM
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#53
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Community Rank: Legend
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Newtown Square, PA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 23,859
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Re: poohmaine’s Christmas at WDW Dec. 18 to 27: Day Two, Part 4
What a gorgeous view!! Looking forward to more!! |
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02-12-2005, 12:14 PM
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#54
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Community Rank: Trailblazer
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Maine
Posts: 5,893
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poohmaine’s Christmas at WDW Dec. 18 to 27: Day Two, Part 5
We went to Jiko for the tour. Our hostess was from Botswana. (All of the culture representatives wear native clothing; the savanna guides wore khaki uniforms. They were all from Botswana or South Africa.) She sat us in the part of the restaurant called “The Cooking Place” where you sit on stools and watch the chefs cook African breads in two huge clay ovens heated with wood. We got to try three kinds of bread with three dipping sauces. The chef also walked us through the Jiko menu. Then we were taken to Boma, where Marti walked us through the buffet, explaining the foods and how they were prepared. She gave us samples of Carrot Ginger Soup and Zebra Domes (kahlua mousse under white chocolate). YUM! Can’t wait for dinner!
We went back to the room to rest before dinner. Dinner was at 6:30. I decided I would try a little bit of everything first. Some of the more interesting things I tried were: watermelon rind salad; hearts of palm and lentil salad; pap; chicken curry soup; and botomie (kind of like a meat quiche). The desserts were wonderful: zebra domes, cheesecake, cookies, banana bread pudding, trifle. We all ate way too much and we all had painful tummies!
After dinner, Evie and I took a quick swim, but it was cold! We left at 8:00 when the water slide closed.
We went back to the room to get Hayley, and then went to see animals with the night vision goggles. I was surprised how well the goggles worked. The CM told us how cold she was!
We stayed maybe half an hour, then I made the girls go back to the room to get to bed. We have Magic Kingdom early magic hour in the morning! Unfortunately (but no big surprise), Evie and Hayley cannot get along in the bed, so Evie sleeps on the floor. We sure need those bunkbeds!
Coming up next: Day Three, Our First Park Day!
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02-12-2005, 12:31 PM
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#55
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Community Rank: Trailblazer
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Maine
Posts: 5,893
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poohmaine’s Christmas at WDW Dec. 18 to 27: Day Three, Part 1
Day Three: December 19
The one when they go to the Magic Kingdom
Our alarm was set for 6:00, but I was up earlier. I couldn’t sleep well. Our room was right across the hall from the stairs, and people were very noisy all night.
Since I was up, I went to Guest Services to clarify exactly what we needed to do to change rooms today. We have to pack up, call Bell Services to pick up our luggage, and meet them at the room before we go to the park. Not very convenient, but they will not pick up bags if you are not there. So, I got everyone up, we ate in the room, we dressed and packed, and waited for Bell Services.
It is sunny but chilly today. I told the girls to take their coats, but they wouldn’t. (When will they learn moms are always right? We got to the bus stop at 7:35. We arrived at the MK in time to do the count down to open the park. What a crazy rush to get in!
On our way in to MK we pose with GF behind us
Only Fantasyland and Tomorrowland are open this early. We head to Fantasyland and our first ride was Peter Pan! No line! Then Snow White and Pooh. Very short lines! Evie loved the Pooh gift shop; it was hard to get her to move on. (Pooh is her favorite character.) No one wants to ride the carousel or Dumbo or Tea Party, and Philharmagic is not open ’til 10. So we head to Tommorowland.
No one wants to do the Speedway, so we continue on to Space Mountain. Just a 10 minute wait. Wow, was the ride always this jerky? It also seems darker (less lighting), or is it just me? Evelyn did not like it AT ALL.
At the end of the ride Hayley found a DanceDanceRevolution she had to try. (Very popular with teens here in Maine).
Hayley does DDR. She loved doing it to Disney music
Evie looked for a pressed penny machine. No one wanted to ride Space Mountain again. We noticed Carousel of Progress was open so we got in line, but it broke down. We’ll try again later.
Noticed Pluto and Chip and Dale with very short lines so we got our photos taken with them.
Me and my girls with Pluto
My favorite photo from our trip: my family with Chip and Dale
Then B, H, and E head to the new Stitch Encounter to get in line while I pick up Fastpasses for Buzz.
We were in line for Stitch about 45 minutes. It was not worth it. This attraction is pretty lame. They used most of the Alien Encounter stuff and just added Stitch instead of the Alien. I suppose if you had never seen Alien Encounter it might seem pretty cool . . .
Next time: TTA, CoP, busted Buzz . . . |
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02-12-2005, 12:42 PM
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#56
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Community Rank: Jetsetter
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Rock Creek, Ohio USA
Posts: 2,530
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Re: poohmaine’s Christmas at WDW Dec. 18 to 27: Day Three, Part 1
Great trip report so far. What an AWESOME ride that you had in the limo!! Love all of your pictures. Someday I hope to stay at the AKL. I hope your new room will work out for you.
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02-12-2005, 01:25 PM
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#57
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RED SOX NATION!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854
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Re: poohmaine’s Christmas at WDW Dec. 18 to 27: Day Three, Part 1
Another great update (and pictures)! More please |
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02-12-2005, 02:18 PM
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#58
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Community Rank: Legend
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: North Central Ohio
Posts: 21,629
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Re: poohmaine’s Christmas at WDW Dec. 18 to 27: Day Three, Part 1
Great update and pics!!  |
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02-12-2005, 03:22 PM
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#59
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Eileeeeeeen!™
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 28,861
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Re: poohmaine’s Christmas at WDW Dec. 18 to 27: Day Three, Part 1
Thanks for taking the time to add the pictures - they really give me a sense of your family and your vacation. Keep 'em coming!!
Can't wait for more
Eileen
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02-12-2005, 08:57 PM
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#60
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Community Rank: Legend
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Newtown Square, PA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 23,859
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Re: poohmaine’s Christmas at WDW Dec. 18 to 27: Day Three, Part 1
Terrific update and photos!! |
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