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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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 Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
Just getting caught up. Sounded like you got a lot done at MK. I can't wait to eat at BOG.
You got most everything at DHS done. I was curious about CM Clambake. If it was worth it. It is on my oldest DDs list. She loves crab legs.
Oh my goodness - I can't believe how much you crammed in at the Studios!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
You all packed it in at DHS! Dinner sounds like a huge success, too!
Thanks. We really did pack it in and felt very satisfied ... with dinner too!
Quote:
Originally Posted by disneydreamer33
Just getting caught up. Sounded like you got a lot done at MK. I can't wait to eat at BOG.
You got most everything at DHS done. I was curious about CM Clambake. If it was worth it. It is on my oldest DDs list. She loves crab legs.
BOG was a really delicious meal. And as far as the Cape May Clambake goes, I say yes, it is worth it. If you have people in your party that love crab legs, clams, and such seafood, absolutely. This is our second experience with this meal and it has been great both times.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Principessa_di_Fata
Joining late, but loving the updates thus far!! Sounds like you're really getting a lot done, even despite crowds and heat!
Thanks! We did get a lot done and did have fun despite the obtacles (heat & crowds).
We are back now. The post WDW vacation funk has set in. My oldest DD has had 2 separate breakdowns with fits of crying because vacation is over. However, My younger DD was ready to come home. On the last day ofvacation she was in tears and cried, "I am tired of all this hotness at Disney." She really meant it.
The good news is now that I am home, I can fully update this TR (complete with quotes as posted here). I was a little technically inefficient working on my phone in the dark hotel room while my DD's slept. So, while my intentions were good to update live as I went along, that really didn't happen.
Forgive my somewhat scattered train of thought here, but before I continue on with our day-to-day touring, I wanted to share some general thoughts about the trip, the resort, etc.
POR
The resort was really very lovely. The room was clean and fresh looking. Although there were some details that bothered DH. Things like the remote battery compartment slide-door was broken off, so batteries would fall out fairly often. And the refrigerator door stuck so badly that it literally moved across the cabinet compartment when you tried to open it. These are small things, but that is kind of how WDW is a victim of their own success. DH expects the little things to be right here, because WDW is all about the details.
Our room location was fantastic. We booked a standard room and were placed in Magnolia Terrace. Our room did face a parking lot, but at ground level with the shrubs and landscaping, you couldn't really tell. Anyway, we were very close to a bus stop (marked Oak Manor, but it was the East Bus Stop), close to a "quiet" pool, and a very short walk to Ol Man Island and Riverside Mill Food Court. Really quite perfect.
The foodcourt was good. The make-your-own pasta was just great. Boatwright's Restaurant was excellent. I was expecting an average meal here and we received far more.
I did notice the bus situation at POR has been discussed in several places here on the boards, so I thought I'd give my two cents take on it.
* The buses for MK were ALWAYS packed. ALWAYS.
* The other parks, it really varied. I did stand more than sit in general.
* We DID share buses with POFQ sometimes. That varied by park, and not by time of day. At AK and EPCOT both, the bus stops were labeled for both Riverside and French Quarter. In these cases, we did stop at French Quarter first.
* Oak Manor/East Depot was always the last or second to last stop on the route no matter where we were coming from or going to. But, it was close to our room so I guess that's the trade-off.
* In general, although crowded, the bus system here seemed to be about par for the course. The exception being MK. I don't know what was wrong, but the transportation to and from here was problematic. We waited once for an evening bus to MK for 1/2 an hour. My DDad waited another time to return from MK for over 40 minutes. That's right, more than 40 MINUTES. Then, after he got on the bus, the bus driver went to POFQ first (mind you it was a POR ONLY bus stop) where nobody got off (of course), and everyone at POFQ was angry because they couldn't get on. HOT MESS!
Crowds/Weather
Okay, so our recent trips to WDW have been in May. Dates have varied from the beginning to over Memorial Day and into the first week of June. I felt pretty confident that travel during mid-June wouldn't be much different.
I was wrong.
It was hot. Really hot. And crowded. More crowded than we've encountered before and it DID effect touring. We just couldn't see/do as much as we've done in the past.
I spoke to a paramedic our last night in WDW. He told us that MK and AK are literally the "hottest" parks. And that it is truly 10 degrees more there than the reported temperature. So, if the weather channel says it is 92 in Orlando ... It's 102 as you are standing in line for BTMRR. Interesting.
We did have a good time. I am sorry to be home. If I could choose another time of year to tour, even by just a few weeks, I would. However, I am not sure that will ever be an option. DH is fairly adamant about not taking DD's out of school as they are getting older. So, if it came down to going in the summer or not going at all, I'd do it again. But ... WOW. It was HOT. And CROWDED.
Being in WDW is really wonderful. Not only is there so much to do and see, and fun all around, but it is a real, legitimate break from the "real" world. It was nice not to have any concerns besides getting to the bus stop in time for RD.
Thanks for the review of POFQ, especially your take on the buses! We have done the second and third week of June for years because of school, and you are right it is both hot and crowded at that time of year. We moved up this year to the first week of June and it was milder both in weather and crowd level. I'd still like to back up into May.
Okay, so I believe I left off at DHS (Friday, June 14). Our next park was ...
Animal Kingdom (Saturday, June 15)
We didn't set a wake up call today because of our late night last night at F! (BTW ... this was our first F! experience. We really enjoyed the show!). But, we didn't sleep too late and got ourselves together and to the park by about 10ish as I recall.
It threatened rain on and off and during our bus trip to the park we actually passed through several bands of rain. Once we were in the park, it didn't rain at all. But the threatening clouds were actually really helpful because they kept the blaring sun at bay for a little while.
AK is one of those parks for us that there aren't a whole lot of "must do's" so that is why a late arrival here works out. We did: EE 2x (my DD's LOVED this), KS, Triceratops Spin, Primeval Whirl (for one DD and DDad), Fossil Fuel Games (for younger DD while we waited), had lunch, met Pocahontas, Chip &Dale, King Louie and Baloo.
We went back to POR. The plan was to swim. BUT ... that threatening rain finally came through. So no swimming. We hung out in our room, went to the food court for drinks, and just recharged.
When it was time to head to DTD, we had to take the bus. The boat to DTD still wasn't running because of lightning in the area.
We had an ADR at Rainforest Cafe. I had been to the RC in AK YEARS ago, but had never been to this location. All in all, this was not a good experience and I wouldn't return. Thereare so many other restaurants in WDW that we like so much better than this place. I thought the girls would get a kick out of RC. They sort of did. It didn't have as big of an impact/impression on them. We kind of had a bad table - in the back of the restaurant under the rock holding the cheetahs. But, whatever, we walked around and they got to see everything.
The meal itself was disappointing. It took a LOOOONG time to get our food. Really long. I don't know for sure what happened, but my food tasted a lot like it was prepared and ready to be eaten a long time before it was served. My potatoes were stiff and heat lamp warmed, and the shrimp scampi wasn't anything close to scampi. I have no idea what preparation it was, but scampi it was not. My youngest DD's mac and cheese wasn't really cheesy at all and she kind of refused to eat it. HOwever, my DDad's Beastly Burger was apparently quite yummy. The meal took so long that we were all ancy and just had to get out. The girls chose to skip dessert in favor of Goofy Candy Co. and we headed out as soon as we could.
Of course a little shopping and a little dancing followed dinner. Then we headed back on the boat to POR. Tomorrow: MK Day #2
Thank you for your thoughts of POR. I am thinking of staying there in 2014. It was very helpful.
Sorry about your meal at RFC. I am not a big fan of it or Hard Rock of Planet Hollywood. It is more about the atmosphere, not the food or service, unfortunately. My girls would probably love it, but I want to spend my money on excellent food at WDW, so I understand where you are coming from.
Too bad the rain spoiled the swimming. Sometimes though it is just nice to sit and relax!
Registered Message Board Members Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
So sorry about dinner. That does not sound pleasant.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Sounds like you all had a good time at AK! Bummer about dinner though!
Thanks. We did have a good time in AK. And the dinner thing was a bit of a let down, but we lived. After all, we had some really great dining experiences during the trip as a whole so I can't really complain too much.
Quote:
Originally Posted by disneydreamer33
Thank you for your thoughts of POR. I am thinking of staying there in 2014. It was very helpful.
Too bad the rain spoiled the swimming. Sometimes though it is just nice to sit and relax!
I'm glad you found my thoughts on the resort helpful. And you are right ... sitting and relaxing is sometimes just the ticket!
Just joining in. Your location at POR sounds just like where we were on our stay in '04. We were in Magnolia Terrace and faced the parking lot. Several times on our way back to the room we saw some cute little bunnies out on the lawn.
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
Liz 
Dinner sounds like a huge success, too! 
The post WDW vacation funk has set in. My oldest DD has had 2 separate breakdowns with fits of crying because vacation is over. However, My younger DD was ready to come home. On the last day ofvacation she was in tears and cried, "I am tired of all this hotness at Disney." She really meant it.
HOT MESS!
PassPorter Guide Author
Linear Mode
