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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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LOVE the Duffy ears pic! OMG how precious, you know??? Glad you loved Hogwarts. You really must read the books - or at the VERY least watch all of the movies. They really are wonderful!
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I know what you mean about Universal. When we went in August, my DH wasn't allowed to ride FJ which just made our first day just horrible. I had my eyes closed on the ride and will never do it again. The next day we went to the other park, did all the rides and were done by 1:00pm. The best part of Universal for us was going to Bubba Gump's for lunch and then heading over to WDW. Never again!!!
I love your pictures with the kids...they are so full of life....and they are so damn cute!!!! You have a great family!!!! I just love reading your trip reports...I don't know how many times I have gone back to reread some of the them.
Why wasn't he allowed to ride FJ? I wonder how US gets any business when so many people have had awful experiences. And for your kind words! Glad you enjoy my TRs!
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Originally Posted by chezp
Oh wow, what amazing photos from the safari! I love the shot of the hippo!
That was my DSIL's photo! Her camera has like 10x zoom!
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Originally Posted by shnewell
You got a lot done at AK! The very first time we rode KRR, DH and I were the ones who got drenched. We actually had to buy new shirts at a gift shop. I've not set foot on that ride since then!
Great safari pics, too! I especially like the hippo picture, though it kind of looks like he wants to eat you...
I often skip KRR, but it was hot enough that I wanted to get wet to cool off.
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Originally Posted by Caldercup
Great safari pictures -- I swear, I want to write inappropriate captions for about 60% of them!!
And seriously, Shashi. Some day, Zack and I are gonna tackle you and hold you down until you consume all 6 Star Wars movies and all 7 Harry Potter books. It's a travesty that you haven't experienced them.
A TRAVESTY!!!
You know, it's a proven fact that people enjoy the Star Wars movies 30% more when being forced to watch them Clockwork Orange style. Good plan!
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Originally Posted by BJ Wanlund
(Off topic alert)
Hey Sharon, if you don't want to do the "locker dance" whenever you go back to Universal or IoA, you can just get one of these for future endeavors. I had something similar to this on the trip I took back in October 2010, and I never once had to use a locker and never once needed a bag check if I was just rocking a vest! And BTW, I don't know if this changed or not, but I was a "featured tweet" at one point talking about my Scottevest! I definitely may have to get a lighter colored one specifically for theme park touring, but that's off in the future.
That's a great way to avoid bag checks and the locker dance. Normally I just stuff everything in my pants pockets.
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
Day Eight - Saturday, September 3 A familiar face on DME
I was up early and finished my packing up. I wasn’t really ready when the rest of the group was, so I just drove to the airport and saw my family off. Then I returned to the timeshare, ate some breakfast, and finished packing up (including some water and groceries that were left). I put it in the car and drove over to AKL, so it wouldn’t spoil. I stored my stuff there and then headed to the airport.
I filled up the gas tank and returned the rental car, then headed to the DME counter. When I got close, I heard a familiar voice and spotted my aunt (also named Jackie it’s confusing in my house when you talk about “Jackie” – there are three of them), my cousin Chris and a friend of my aunt’s!
After hugs, I found out they were on their way to AKL as well, so we were able to ride the bus together. They were staying at AKL until Thursday, and then heading onto the Dream for a cruise with 17 of Jackie’s relatives! Judging from the pictures I saw, they had the best time!
Anyway, the ride to AKL was much quicker with so much chatting going on. There were only a few of us on the bus (besides me and my relatives, only one other group) and we were all heading to Jambo House, so before I knew it, we were there!
I checked in, dumped the paperwork and stuff with my other bags, and then headed for the bus stop. It wasn’t long before an Epcot bus arrived and I was on my way to the park.
I was happy to have some time to just walk around and enjoy being in Epcot, something I didn’t get to do with the family – the boys wanted to go, go, go! I strolled over to TT, figuring the SRL would be manageable. I waited less than 10 minutes and was soon fulfilling my duties as a crash test dummy.
I had a look around in Mouse Gear, but made no more purchases.
Next I did Ellen’s Energy Adventure.
For some reason, I didn’t do this with my family. I know those dinosaur-loving boys would’ve enjoyed it. I thought about what else I hadn’t done and decided I wanted to do Captain EO.
On the way, I got sidetracked by the fountain show.
I ended up sitting on that little bench people watching for a bit. After the second fountain show, I continued on and caught Captain EO. Then it was time to head to World Showcase.
I needed to check on my little cottage, so I started in Canada.
I got a text that my room was ready with my room number. Excellent! While I’m in Epcot, I usually don’t have much of a “to do” list. I mean, actually being in Epcot fulfills the to do list most of the time! But I do have a must do in Epcot. Well, two, actually, but I’d already gotten a kaki gori this trip, so there was only one left. Voices of Liberty. I strolled around, making occasional stops for a photo.
And then I arrived at the American Adventure just as the VOL were starting. I really love their show, and I love how if you visit at certain times of the year, you’ll hear more seasonal songs. I especially love the patriotic songs on holidays like Memorial Day.
After their performance, I went up to see the American Adventure show. I sat all the way in the back this time, which was a somewhat different experience.
I planned to meet my friends I’d met in May on my ABD trip, but an operation forced them to cancel their plans. I decided to go have some gelato. Maybe I should get three scoops, one for me and one for each of my friends! I got some (cookies and cream and chocolate) and had a seat.
It made me think about when I’d done the same thing at the real Doge’s Palace in Venice, eating gelato (it was better in Venice, though!). I was a bit tired thanks to the early wakeup call, so I decided to head back to AKL for a break before getting ready for my dinner at Narcoossee's with Bob &Larry.
I stopped to see what was going on in the miniature German village.
A friendship boat was pulling in, so I decided to take a little ride. I usually do this to relax more than as a means of transportation. I love being out on WS lagoon.
I was wearing my Chip & Dale t-shirt, and the chipmunks always love that, so I walked past their greeting area. Unfortunately, the line was quite long. It’s funny, but just a year or two ago, Chip & Dale were everywhere, and now, they’re more rare (but you can still reliably find their spot in most parks).
As I left the park, I asked a Photopass photographer to get a photo of me.
I love that the AKL bus stop is nice and close at Epcot (it’s pretty close at most of the parks ). And I only waited about 5 minutes before a bus arrived.
I headed right up to my room to check out my view. I had a room on the second floor, which if you’ve never been in one, they’re practically right on top of the savanna. You get pretty close views of the animals. I got some photos.
You see how it seems like you’re right on the savanna?
And then I decided to lie on my bed and watch the animals. After a few minutes of that,
Up Next: Am I famous?
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
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So I'm finally all caught up since I was sooooo way behind. First, it's so nice to hear from a non-Harry Potter fan that you really enjoyed the WWoHP. It proves that I will enjoy myself there. One question...are the lockers at the beginning of the qeue or right before the ride? Just wondering what to do with the camera. I have never rode Kali, and for that reason I know I would get soaked the first time I got on it...not my idea of a good time. Now, that you're all by yourself, I'm glad you were finally able to really enjoy Epcot...it's the type of place that you need to take at a nice leisurely stroll to take it all in.
Great time at the parks with the family, but how nice to be on your own! A stroll around Epcot, gelato, sitting to watch the fountain show.... doesn't get any better than that! The photopass pix are great. You look relaxed and happy!
Epcot is my absolute favorite park to walk around it. But our 'walking around' isn't quite as leisurely as yours seemed to be. I think we'll have to pay a bit more attention to the mini-trains this trip. I think the boys will like them. And VoL and the Friendship boats are on my list. I've never seen VoL and I can't remember the last time I rode one of the boats on WSL.
Great views from your room too!
How funny to run into your relatives at the airport!
Your day at Epcot sounds so leisurely and wonderful!! I love the VoL, though it's been a while since we saw the entire show -- lately we seem to just walk in at the tail end.
Lots of gorgeous pictures from WS! Although in the first photo from the German mini-world, that one lady in blue looks like she's passed out against the side of the building. Maybe it was from the heat.
And you're not kidding that it looks like your room is right on the savanna! Super cool!
After a busy morning, your leisurely afternoon at Epcot sounded wonderful! And the room at AKL sounds great too. Nice shots of the animals!
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Tanya
Every click helps feed .6 bowls of food to rescued animals. Give a quick click every day and help animals in shelters! www.theanimalrescuesite.com
Glad you were able to catch your brother in mid laugh....used to seeing those big smiles on you and the boys, nice that you were able to catch your brother in one as well.
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Melanie
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for your kind words! Glad you enjoy my TRs!
I love the shot of the hippo! 
Good plan! 
it’s confusing in my house when you talk about “Jackie” – there are three of them), my cousin Chris and a friend of my aunt’s! 
I decided to go have some gelato. Maybe I should get three scoops, one for me and one for each of my friends! 
). And I only waited about 5 minutes before a bus arrived.
Now, that you're all by yourself, I'm glad you were finally able to really enjoy Epcot...it's the type of place that you need to take at a nice leisurely stroll to take it all in.
Super cool!
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