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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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I'm so excited to see another Princess Sharon trip report! I love reading them. And we've only stayed at BCV - loved your room at BC. Maybe some day we will give that a shot - we are continually running out of points
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What a great start to the report and your trip. Can’t wait to hear more and see all the photos. Love the comment about the sign reader. At first I thought you were going to mention someone who read sign language - which I find fascinating but the actual reading of signs was hilarious. You’re right, who doesn’t know a sign reader. In my family it is my mom – I can’t go to a museum with her anymore.
OMG! That made me snort! I actually had a DVC canvas bag, a toiletry bag and a Minnie Mouse suitcase . Surprisingly enough, I wasn't the only one with large items on our boat. One guy had a very large cooler which intrigued me to no end.
Jill
Didn't you also have a pool noodle? That was my favorite part...
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Karen, aka Zack's Mom - Lover of all Things Disney and the San Francisco Giants!
Love the TR and LOVE the Pics! Please tell me what camera that is I've been looking for a new one! I have a Canon printer so that would be nice.........
Another Psha report!! I'm fallin' behind on a lot of TR stuff, gotta get my butt caught up!
I love the picture you took from the pier over to BC. I just had to sigh when I saw it.
THe lighthouse pic is cool too as well as the color pics. This seems to be the TR of the fabulous pictures so far. Love the creepy window on TOT...very cool.
And I too love southern expressions almost as much as a tick loves a fat dog.
You do take amazing pictures! I especially love the ones at the Beach Club (and looking up the lighthouse!! ) and the Great Movie Ride!
If you don't mind I am wondering what kind of camera you have too. I trust Canons from experience but since I am in need of a new one, yours seems like it would be worth the investment! Those are great photos!
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Amanda =)
Living out a childhood dream during my summer 2015 trip to WDW. Is it time to go back yet?
“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them." –Walt Disney
Great beginning to your trip.
Love, love, love all the pics. That camera is amazing. I know it is a Canon, but what model. I don't remember from your previous TR and I tried looking and gave up.
More please.
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.
Yay! Another P'Sha trip report. What would we ever do without you? And hey, I can see pictures too. Must be my lucky day. Your photos are fabulous as always!
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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?
What a great start to the report and your trip. Can’t wait to hear more and see all the photos. Love the comment about the sign reader. At first I thought you were going to mention someone who read sign language - which I find fascinating but the actual reading of signs was hilarious. You’re right, who doesn’t know a sign reader. In my family it is my mom – I can’t go to a museum with her anymore.
I need to go to a museum with your mom!
Quote:
Originally Posted by zacksmom_1993
Didn't you also have a pool noodle? That was my favorite part...
Bwah! I missed the noodle! Jill, it's a good thing I know you or there might have been pictures of your stuff in my TR! And even though I know you, I'm kicking myself for not getting pics.
Quote:
Originally Posted by samg0627
Love the TR and LOVE the Pics! Please tell me what camera that is I've been looking for a new one! I have a Canon printer so that would be nice.........
It's a Canon S90
Quote:
Originally Posted by dsteiny23
And I too love southern expressions almost as much as a tick loves a fat dog.
Win!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mandy1627
Just tuning in! Great TR so far!
You do take amazing pictures! I especially love the ones at the Beach Club (and looking up the lighthouse!! ) and the Great Movie Ride!
If you don't mind I am wondering what kind of camera you have too. I trust Canons from experience but since I am in need of a new one, yours seems like it would be worth the investment! Those are great photos!
Quote:
Originally Posted by disneydreamer33
Great beginning to your trip.
Love, love, love all the pics. That camera is amazing. I know it is a Canon, but what model. I don't remember from your previous TR and I tried looking and gave up.
More please.
Canon S90, and it's been the most popular point and shoot on Amazon for a while, so I'm not the only one who loves it.
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
So happy there is another Sharon TR!! You are hysterical all the time. Totally laughing at the sign reader comment. My MIL does that all the time. And she will read the speed limit signs too!!! Hilarious!!
Day Two – Sunday, July 25 An Unexpected PassPorter meet
I woke up before the wakeup call, so I had time to catch up my notes and back up my pictures. I’d recently heard that the wakeup call was available in other languages, so I wondered if that meant the English wakeup call had changed, but it was still the Mickey and Stitch call (which, frankly, I’ve grown a little tired of). Anyway, I got ready and headed downstairs for breakfast.
When I booked the trip, I figured with such a short trip, I really didn’t need any ADRs. Heather invited me to join them for dinner, and I knew I wanted to eat at Beaches and Cream one day, so I decided that would be enough and I’d do counter service for the rest of our meals. Then on a whim, I decided that I’d like to do breakfast at Cape May Café. I went on the Disney Dining website and was able to get a reservation first thing, so I was happy about that!
I had a 7:30 ADR, which was one of the first reservations. When I got down there, they weren’t ready to seat anybody yet, but they did check me in and gave me a buzzer. I found a seat in the lobby and after a few minutes, decided I should get some photos of the lobby.
After one picture, my buzzer started going off, so I returned to the restaurant to be seated. I got a table right next to the door where the characters come out so I’d get to see them first. My server took my drink order and told me the characters wouldn’t be coming out for about 15 minutes, so I had plenty of time to hit the buffet.
The food was very tasty and of course it was all hot and fresh, since I was one of the first people there. I had just enough time to finish my food before Goofy came out! Yay! I was the first person to see him that day!
He loved that I was wearing a Goofy t-shirt (one of many that I own). Before the next character was due to come out, I hit the buffet and saw that the other side of the line had grits, so I got some of those (not as good as other places I’ve had, but not as bad as some others either). Next out was Minnie, and I got to see her first, too!
After a few more minutes, Donald came out. And totally snubbed me! He didn’t come to see me first, even though I was sitting right in front of the door! The nerve! I had to wait for him to see 2 whole families before he got to me! What a terrible inconvenience that was!
My server brought the check and it was then that I realized I’d forgotten my KTTW card in the room. I realized it because that was how I was planning to pay! Now it looked like it was going to be dine and dash! Just kidding! Luckily, I had enough cash on me to pay for my meal.
I sent a text to Heather to see if she was awake and would be joining me early morning at AK. She was, so I told her I’d meet her at the bus stop (after getting a new KTTW card). I visited the front desk and was quickly able to get a new KTTW card. It took all of 2 minutes, so it was a lot quicker than I’d estimated. I arrived at the bus stop before Heather. An AK bus arrived, but Heather wasn’t at the stop yet. The bus driver looked at me expectantly, but when I didn’t get up, he figured I was just hanging out at the bus stop or whatever (the BC bus stops are usually only for one destination at each stop).
I saw Heather arriving just as he closed his door, so I jumped up and flagged him down. He stopped and opened the door for me and probably thought I was a little flaky or something. I told him I had been waiting for my friend and then he understood.
We arrived at AK at opening. I had no bags, so I went through the no bags entrance and waited on the other side for Heather to get through. Just as Heather made it through, I heard someone calling my name. It was Jill! (I live with a ‘Stitch’!) I’d been hoping to meet her after reading her TRs and I can say that she and her family are all just as lovely in person as they are in writing! Those kids of hers are just too, too cute (though they were a little quiet at first).
I decided to let Heather be the guide today, and she wanted to do the Safaris first. Jill and her family were heading that way also, so we ended up going together. I didn’t take a picture (I really have to get better at remembering), but Jill’s DH took one of the 3 of us that I’m sure Jill will post in her TR when she gets to it.
When we boarded our truck for our 2 week safari (which is blatant false advertising ), we got to see lots of animals.
I was excited to see the male lion actually get up and walk around!
The highlight of the safari for me (and probably Heather, too) came courtesy of Jill’s DD Leah. We saw these rhinos – a mama and a baby.
When Leah saw the baby (the mud-covered baby), she said “it looks like it was painted with chocolate!” So sweet!
Toward the end of our journey, the animals started getting really close to our vehicle. A couple of times they were too close for me to get a proper photo!
After the safari, Jill’s family walked with Heather and me to Asia. We stopped briefly so Jill’s kids could get a photo with Flik. While they did that, I added to my collection of Tree of Life photos.
We were heading for EE. Heather had heard from Brandon and Blake that they were awake and on their way into the park, so they’d be heading that way too. Jill and her DS Isaiah (the only one tall enough) were going to ride too. We waited for the boys to catch up and Shannon took the little ones to pick up FPs for their crew.
While we waited, Heather and I grabbed FPs for EE and once Brandon and Blake arrived, we hopped in the standby queue, which looked pretty short. Blake and Brandon opted for the single riders line (and ended up going twice for the once we got to ride, and we only waited about 10 minutes or so). Isaiah looked pretty excited to get to ride! I had heard that the Yeti was removed, so I didn’t bother psyching myself up to not scream when I saw him (which is so embarrassing ). Mistake! He’s there, in B mode as always. And I screamed, as always! I’m such a dork on that ride. I can’t help screaming.
After the ride, we said goodbye to Jill and Isaiah (it was so great to meet them) and caught up with the guys. I spotted a really cute t-shirt in the gift shop (because Disney has started to design things specifically for me to purchase – part of the master plan to separate me from my money ). I decided to get it later.
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You’re right, who doesn’t know a sign reader. In my family it is my mom – I can’t go to a museum with her anymore. 
Holly: 
. Surprisingly enough, I wasn't the only one with large items on our boat. One guy had a very large cooler which intrigued me to no end. 
Liz 
What would we ever do without you? And hey, I can see pictures too. Must be my lucky day. Your photos are fabulous as always!
ºOº ~*~ 
I need to go to a museum with your mom!
He didn’t come to see me first, even though I was sitting right in front of the door! The nerve! 
Now it looked like it was going to be dine and dash! 
Just kidding! Luckily, I had enough cash on me to pay for my meal.
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