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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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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.
The lockers are at the beginning of the queue. Actually, in most cases, the lockers are sort of next to the queue, so you have to put your stuff in then go get in the queue. And it was definitely nice to have a vacation after my family left!
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Originally Posted by ilovedisney247
Nice view from your room! I'm looking forward to checking into AKL in 7 days! Plus I'll get to see you! Are you packed and ready to go?
I'm ready! Can't wait to see you!
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Originally Posted by shnewell
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!
I always think those little fallen-over people just came from Oktoberfest. I know it isn't the season, but if I were in Germany, I'd celebrate Oktoberfest year round!
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Originally Posted by disneymom57
I agree that just "being" in Epcot is the "to-do" list. A gin & tonic in the R&C pub helps too!
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Originally Posted by Caldercup
I love that you sat on a bench, had "memorial" gelato, and then sacked out in your room.
Except for the gelato, that's so atypical of you!
I guess hanging with my nephews all week wore me out!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MosyBliss
Oh that sounds like such a wonderful day...wandering around Epcot. In all the years I have been going to WDW I have never taken the Friendship boat! I always forget about it...don't ask me how. I am going to rectify that on my next trip!
Your view at AKL is beautiful! Because of your rave reviews of BOMA we tried it on our last trip and fell in love. We ate there twice and have ressies to do it again. Thanks!
We love Boma!
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Originally Posted by Luv2laff
Sheesh...first you haven't read HP, now you don't like playing Angry Birds? I don't know about you, Sharon.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey
Great update! I did NOT know that there was gelato in Epcot Italy! I'll have to add that to my to-eat list for my next trip.
They have gelato and Italian margaritas. One of my favorite kiosks ever!
Quote:
Originally Posted by FitMom
Your boys are adorable! I am just starting on your TR and had to say what a cute bunch!
Welcome aboard! And
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Originally Posted by DawnK
The reason why he couldn't go on FJ at universal was because they said the seatbelt wouldn't click and that he was too big. They have since changed their too large tune on that ride.
I love the savannah pictures...someday I will get to stay there.....sigh!!!
I remember hearing about people unable to ride, and I'm glad they fixed that!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilovedisney0_0
I got a couple of updates behind , so ...
There is a Sonic about 3 blocks from where I work, and diet Cranberry Limeade is my standard, too. Isn't it yummy?? SOO refreshing when it's hot!
I agree with everyone about that picture of DB Ed at AK. It is such a fantastic picture, he looks like he is really having a great time! Love it!
So since you are wayyyy more experienced than me at staying at AKL, what is your favorite floor to stay on for the best views of the savannah? I have decided to plan a fantabulous 45th birthday for myself and I have 4 years to plan, but I am going to go ALLL OUT. I would love your opinion, I have a few years yet but I want to stay in the lap of luxury when I go!
I don't really have a favorite savanna. I usually have good luck spotting animals wherever I stay. But I can say that it's great to be on a lower floor because you're so close to the action. I've never been unhappy anywhere, and I've never, ever made a request.
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
After my impromptu nap I showered and got dressed for dinner. We were eating at Narcoossee’s, so I put on a nice outfit. Once I was ready, I headed to the bus stop. As I arrived, I saw a MK bus just pulling out. Drat! I just had a seat on the first bench, figuring I’d make my way down a little at a time to kill time.
I was sitting there all alone pouting when a man walking by looked at me and said “You look like someone famous!” Now, I don’t think I look like anyone famous. My DM puts on her mom goggles and tells me I look like Vivica Fox but I don’t see it at all. Anyway, I used to have people tell me I look like Queen Latifah, but that was right after her movie Bringin’ Down the House came out. You know, the one with Steve Martin? And by the way, it always happened when I was hanging out with my friend, who people always say looks like… Steve Martin! Duh!
Anyway, I assured him that I wasn’t anyone famous and that I was just pouting because I’d just missed a MK bus. He told me to come down to the MK bus stop with his family, so I did. His name was Luke, and we had a nice chat. When he found out about how many times I’ve been to Disney, he asked lots of questions. They were on their way to California Grill for dinner (), so I told him to get the monorail. He told me that someone had told him to walk and I said he could do that as well.
It took forever for another bus to come. We noticed at least two of every bus except MK, and four AK buses before one lousy MK bus arrived. By the time it came, Luke and I were totally besties! That was the longest I waited for a bus by far – it was a bit more than 30 minutes. It’s a good thing I’d left extra time to get to the GF!
When we got off the bus (I had to split up from Luke and his family because the bus was crowded) I walked over to the boat dock. I kept an eye out for Luke and his family and when I saw them, I pointed them in the direction of the resort monorail and wished them bon appétit. Meanwhile, I texted Larry that I was getting on the launch.
A full boat had pulled out moments before, so we waited a few minutes before we left. When we got close to the dock, I could see Bob & Larry there waiting for me!
After hugs hello, we went over and checked in for our dinner. It wasn’t long after that that we were shown to our table. We had a lovely view of the MK. I just love watching darkness fall over the MK. :sigh:
So how was dinner? How do you think! Excellent. I started with the shrimp and crab chowder.
Shrimp and Crab Chowder - Dill Créme Fraiche, micro onions, and Narcoossee's Oyster Crackers
It was delicious! And as a main course, I had the crab cake (which is actually an appetizer).
Jumbo Lump Crab Cake - Grilled Zellwood Corn Relish and Ancho Chili Sauce
Delish! There were a few things on the dessert menu that tempted me, but I settled on the crème brulee.
Creme Brulee Duo - Key Lime and Coconut custard finished with caramelized sugar
I was so full I barely ate more than a few bites of each, but they were so good! I liked the key lime one a bit better though. While we dined, we were able to watch the EWP, which was a nice little bonus. During the meal, we caught up on stuff and I heard about Larry’s trip Down Under. I wish I could read more about it. Like in a trip report or something! Just kidding, Larry! Well, I’m not kidding, I really would like to read a TR, but no pressure!
I kept wanting to ask the server to get a photo of us at the table, but then I’d get distracted and forget again!
Dinner had all the elements of a fabulous meal – great food, great service, and perhaps most important of all, great conversation! I even maybe got a scoop about a secret that some people are dying to know. After dinner, we caught the launch to the MK (Wishes was just ending) and then said goodnight. I got the bus back to AKL, which was conveniently waiting for me at the stop.
I checked out the animal activity outside. I spotted a zebra or two, along with a couple of giraffes, but it was much too dark to take photos. After a bit of animal watching, I turned in.
Up Next: Hello, for the seventh time!
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
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I got behind again and now I don't know where to start.
Loved all the pics of WWOHP.
I can't get over you being mobbed by the timeshare people. That is what I love about Disney and DVC, they don't jump out and stop you. If you have questions they will answer them. I love Disney too for caring about your experience in their parks.
I loved the pic of your DB "getting in the picture" at AK.
I love Sonic, we have one in my town. I am addicted to their ice. We actually buy bags of it to have at work.
Looks like you are getting ready to leave again! I am soooo jealous.
Too bad about the long wait for the bus, but nice to make a new friend (and he got to hang out with a "famous person")! Sounds like a great meal at Narcoosees. It's been too long since I've been there-- too many restaurants, too few meals!
Great update! Your dinner looked and sounded DELISH! That Key Lime Creme' Brulee sounded wonderful, must try it! As for being famous? Of course you are! You are Princess Sharon Disney Traveler Extraordinaire!!!
I let out a big bark of laughter that your first picture was NOT of your friends, but of the food. And here I was, waiting with bated breath to see Bob &Larry, only to be faced with chowder...
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
I kept wanting to ask the server to get a photo of us at the table, but then I’d get distracted and forget again!
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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!
I don't know about you, Sharon.
, so ...
I have decided to plan a fantabulous 45th birthday for myself and I have 4 years to plan, but I am going to go ALLL OUT. I would love your opinion, I have a few years yet but I want to stay in the lap of luxury when I go! 
Now, I don’t think I look like anyone famous. My DM puts on her mom goggles and tells me I look like Vivica Fox 
After dinner, we caught the launch to the MK (Wishes was just ending) and then said goodnight. I got the bus back to AKL, which was conveniently waiting for me at the stop. 
Liz 
But dinner looked and sounded wonderful! 
PassPorter Guide Author
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Bob &Larry, only to be faced with chowder... 
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