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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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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Oh, the VOL are so lovely to see again -- the two sopranos completely blew me away and I can't remember how many times I said "WOW" sotto voce to Karen, but it was a-l-o-t!
After our yummy lunch at B&C, the five of us decided to see what kind of trouble we could scare up in WS. It was almost show time in Italy, so we headed there first to watch Romeo and Edna. I was absolutely thrilled when a WS player plopped Edna’s headpiece right on top of Karen’s head.
Let’s just say that she was phenomenal as Edna . . . she and her Romeo were perfect partners and really played their roles to the hilt. As Eileen said, when Karen nailed the “O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?” line, the WS players were beside themselves and the crowd was mightily impressed.
At one point, Romeo is pretending to climb out of a window to go after his true love when someone from the crowd yelled out “Tiger!!!” The female WS player rolled her eyes and immediately came back with “that has an entirely new meaning than it did two weeks before.”
After Karen’s award winning performance, we backtracked to America to listen to the VOL performance. I have to admit to never having heard these singers before , but I can assure that it will not be my last time. Their performance of holiday songs was fantastic although one of the female singers did freak us all out a bit with the expression on her face (kind of like the faces of the kids on the Charlie Brown Christmas special when they're singing ).
We said to Sharon and sent her off packing to all of her new D23 friends while the four of us made our way over to Norway to catch the end of the storyteller there. I’ll also admit that this was the first time that I ever stopped to listen to a storyteller. This one was really cute.
After doing three activities in a row, we were ready for a break and, as luck would have it, we were right at the Norway bakery where I was finally able to try Viking coffee for the first time! It was strong, but so good. The four of us sat outside sipping our coffee and chatting as the sun slowly went down. What a nice way to welcome the sunset.
PS - I can't imagine how Mary Devall didn't recognize my cackle -- Man, Jill can "re-direct" with the best of them...
That video is priceless, Larry! And the Director's cut simply put it over the top!
And Eileen . . . I think your laughter is what first caught her attention from across the room. Thank goodness Larry didn't zoom in on you! And no, she won't be seeing the Director's cut . . . that would give me away for sure!
That Viking coffee was fantastic -- I'll have to make sure to have the ingredients on-hand this April, huh?! Joanie has been talking about it this morning and making me looooong for Disney.
Eileen
That video is priceless, Larry! And the Director's cut simply put it over the top!
And Eileen . . . I think your laughter is what first caught her attention from across the room. Thank goodness Larry didn't zoom in on you! And no, she won't be seeing the Director's cut . . . that would give me away for sure!
Jill
Thanks! Unfortunately my current technology doesn't include a zoom capability.
We were supposed to meet at the America Gardens Theater 30 minutes before showtime. It was nice not having to line up super early. They had about 4 rows reserved for us in the back (I think there were 200 people total for the event). A lot of people had already been seated when I arrived, but my two new friends had saved a seat for me. I really love the Candlelight Processional and was happy to get to see it like this without having to book a dinner package or stand for hours on line.
The narrator was Chita Rivera, and she was just as wonderful this year as she was when I saw her last year.
We were told to stay seated after the show ended, and after everyone else left the auditorium, the D23 folks escorted us back stage behind the American Adventure and onto one of four waiting DCL buses. We drove over to the Studios and parked behind Catastrophe Canyon and then walked over to the Lights Motors Action stadium. It was cool to actually stand inside where the cars drive around. It was a nice setup with tables in the middle and the food on either side.
Along with the really yummy food, there was a bar set up with beer and wine. Everything I tried was very tasty, but the best thing was the lobster fisherman’s pie (very similar to what I got at the F&WF). So good! Unfortunately, I didn’t write down what they were serving, so I don’t remember much else.
I do have to say that it was nice attending an event with a bunch of Disney dorks. I didn’t feel the least bit odd walking around taking a zillion pictures of the buffet and stuff. There were tons of other people doing the exact same thing (sometimes there was even a line of folks waiting to take pictures of stuff!)
My friends and I found a table, and just as we were about to head to the buffet, we spotted a special guest! I grabbed my camera and was first in line to meet him!
I’d never met Mickey in his Santa outfit before! I also got a picture with Mickey with my two new friends, but I won’t post it (trust me, you don’t want to hear the whining and grumbling it would cause ). When I got in line to eat, I spotted a familiar face. Carrie (Elastigirl) and her DH. I went over and said a quick hello (they were also going to the DIS Toy Story meet later that night).
After dinner, we got a surprise! They led us over to Pixar Place where we got to ride Toy Story Midway Mania. By this time, the park had closed, but there were still a few people waiting in line. They let us all go ahead of them, and while I was happy to do it, I would’ve been pretty angry if I’d been on line for an hour and suddenly 200 new people went ahead of me!
We practically walked right on through the Fastpass line. Sweet! I got a pretty decent score.
I was player 2
When we were done, we had time for another spin before dessert. I love TSM, but I don’t think I’d be able to ride it over and over again. The second time through, I got a lower score, because my arm was tired.
Once we came out, we were directed to the restaurant next to the HISTK playground (I always forget the name of that place) where they had a lovely dessert buffet set up for us.
Again, I didn’t take notes of the food items available, but I must have been impressed with the cheese, since I did write “yummy cheeses” in my notes. After dessert, we walked over to our private viewing of the Osborne Lights (and after hearing about just how insanely crowded it was earlier that evening, I was glad to have room to move about!).
It was a new experience for me, arriving when it’s dark but all the lights were out.
John Phelan, show director of the Osborne Lights gave a presentation about his history with the company and how the Osborne Lights came to Disney. A lot of it I’d heard already, but I did learn some interesting new information. You know that lovely nativity set in the back near the LMA stadium? Well, Jennings Osborne bought it at Epcot! Also, Disney didn’t pay Jennings anything to use the lights, but every year they put him up for a week in the Grand Floridian for free. Of course, he then pays for 8 additional rooms for his family!
After the talk (which I hate to say went on a little too long for me), they chose a kid to help flip the switch.
I’d never been there before to see the lights all go on at once. It was very I was happy to get a bunch of pictures without crowds of people in them!
A very cool Hidden Mickey John Phelan told us about (that’s actually the reflection of it)
See how empty it was?
Found the purple cat!
We were free to explore as long as we wanted. While I was walking around, I think the lights danced twice. There were buses waiting for anyone that needed transportation back to Epcot. I knew Illuminations was at 9:30 and there was a PPer meet that Heather was hosting. I figured I’d miss Illuminations, but hoped to catch some people hanging around. I hopped on one of the first buses to go back after picking up our gift.
The bus dropped us off at the Epcot parking lot, so I had no hopes of seeing anyone at the PPer meet. I sent a text to the group to see if they wanted a ride back with me. They did, so I met them near the tram stop (I tried to get them to race there, but they didn’t fall for it this time ).
When we got to the car, Karen and Jill climbed into the very back while Larry, Heather and Bob climbed into the middle. The car next to me had parked kind of close, so Eileen asked me to pull up for her so she could get in the front passenger seat. Well, I have to admit that I had a fleeting thought of driving off and leaving her, but when Karen actually said it out loud, I couldn’t resist. I pulled up a little, hesitating slightly, and then drove off in the other direction, tires practically squealing.
Oh my goodness, I haven’t laughed that hard in YEARS! Everyone in the car was in stitches! Larry was laughing so hard he was wheezing. Too funny! Before you all start feeling sorry for Eileen, I did go back and get her. When she got back in, she was like “I need new friends!” Good times, good times! We had a lot of laughs together, but that was the funniest thing in a long time! Good thing I knew Eileen would think it was funny too. Just thinking about it now has me giggling all over again. I need to get myself together. OK, now I’m good. Anyway, after the incident, Eileen made sure to be the first one in the car.
Where was I? Right, driving back to AKL. Karen had brought some lovely wine and we invited the fellas to join us in a glass (not literally of course). I only had a little bit, but it was quite nice indeed. After spending a long time catching up with the gang on all the fun they’d had without me, the party broke up and we all climbed into bed. And before you ask, we each climbed into our own beds! Except for Karen and Eileen, but I won’t say anything else about that! Y’all have dirty minds!
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
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Oh my goodness, I haven’t laughed that hard in YEARS! Everyone in the car was in stitches! Larry was laughing so hard he was wheezing. Too funny! Before you all start feeling sorry for Eileen, I did go back and get her. When she got back in, she was like “I need new friends!” Good times, good times! We had a lot of laughs together, but that was the funniest thing in a long time! Good thing I knew Eileen would think it was funny too.
The moment you pulled, screeching away from me, I barked out a HUGE laugh -- actually startling the guys getting into their car nearby. I was laughing so hard, I was wheezing right along with Larry, but the guys a few cars over *totally* thought I was crying and said "Are you OKAY?!" (Which Karen knows is a phrase that always busts me up!)
When the car of my so-called "friends" came back for me, I opened the door and an explosion of sound nearly rocked me back on my heels! I couldn't be mad with them, as I thought it was stinkin' hilarious and something I would've done to them -- I joined in with the hilarity and our laughter was B.I.G. and lasted for pretty much the whole ride back to the AKL. We'd calm down and then someone would snicker and it would set us all off again.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
Anyway, after the incident, Eileen made sure to be the first one in the car.
Derned right, Shashi. From that point forward, I'd jog ahead of everyone and plaster myself against the car. If they tried to ditch me again, I swore I'd hang onto the door handle and go for a drag.
Seriously, though. I need me some new friends!
Eileen
PS - anyone want to stay at a beach front house for Spring Break?
Wonderful update as always. Sharon, I'm trying to figure out the timing of your D23 events 'cause I'm nerdy that way. The park closed at 8 pm and that's about the time LeAnn and I headed to Osborne Lights. We were there for maybe 30 minutes and then made our way to the front of the park. We hung out with a gazzilion DISers until 9:30. We were escorted back to Pixar Place at 9:30 by a group of green army men and Sarge. We had Pixar Place, TSMM, the shops, and character meet to ourselves until 12:30 am. I did get to see Carrie there along with Molly & Joey. Fun, fun evening for us all.
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ºOº ~*~
Oct '99: CSR ~ May '02: CR ~ Nov '04: SOG ~ May '06: SOG ~ Dec '07: Solo @ Pop ~ May '08: Pop w/friends ~ Oct '08: SOG ~ Dec '09: Pop w/LeAnn ~ Sept '10: Solo @ Pop ~ Spring '11: AKL ~ Jan '12: Pop for 1/2 Marathon ~ Sept '12: 1st trip for DL 1/2 Marathon? ~ Feb '13: Pop w/pals? ~ Mar '13: Tokyo Disney w/PP's?
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for posting it! I just realized I have a few pics that I forgot to add to my last post!
It was almost show time in Italy, so we headed there first to watch Romeo and Edna. I was absolutely thrilled when a WS player plopped Edna’s headpiece right on top of Karen’s head. 
, but I can assure that it will not be my last time. Their performance of holiday songs was fantastic although one of the female singers did freak us all out a bit with the expression on her face (kind of like the faces of the kids on the Charlie Brown Christmas special when they're singing 
to Sharon and sent her off packing to all of her new D23 friends 
while the four of us made our way over to Norway to catch the end of the storyteller there. I’ll also admit that this was the first time that I ever stopped to listen to a storyteller. This one was really cute.
It was strong, but so good. 
The four of us sat outside sipping our coffee and chatting as the sun slowly went down. What a nice way to welcome the sunset. 
I also got a picture with Mickey with my two new friends, but I won’t post it (trust me, you don’t want to hear the whining and grumbling it would cause 
I went over and said a quick hello (they were also going to the DIS Toy Story meet later that night).
I was happy to get a bunch of pictures without crowds of people in them!
).
Everyone in the car was in stitches! Larry was laughing so hard he was wheezing. Too funny! Before you all start feeling sorry for Eileen, I did go back and get her. 
OK, now I’m good. Anyway, after the incident, Eileen made sure to be the first one in the car. 
After spending a long time catching up with the gang on all the fun they’d had without me, the party broke up and we all climbed into bed. And before you ask, we each climbed into our own beds! 
PassPorter Guide Author
I am so jealous... 
I'll be your new friend! 
ºOº ~*~ 
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