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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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 am so sorry I have been slacking. I have run into a bit of a predicament with my planned December trip and my suprise December baby. Wish me luck as I try to weasle something out of DVC member services.
Otherwise I will have to find someone who wants to use my points as I sadly cannot give birth at the castle. Lol. (Assuming of course this pregnancy lasts until then).
So sadly I will have to go pray Disney has a soft side for me.
Ok I am back. Everything with my other trip was sorted. (Although I hate to postpone going back "home" for so long I must do what is best!) So I am back to write about this one. To help ease my pain, lol. So on with the show!!
Today was our AK and I must say it could not have been a nicer day for it. Usually we spend so little time in AK because it tends to be the hottest park. I get cranky and often will give up on staying there because of it. However today we hit the weather jackpot and took advantage of it. (Although I have come to realize even having done that I STILL missed a ton. Thats what I love about Disney. Even when you think you have done it you have not).
Grabbing our easy to transport breakfast we hopped on the bus and were off to the animals we go. I do not recall what time we got there but I know it was on the early side. The only thing I do not like about AK is how LONG it takes to get from the buses to the entrance. I always feel like I am walking forever. We stopped for a quick photo. With smiles on our faces we headed in to the park. Now I was aware that sadly there was even LESS things I could ride here. It was becoming a trend. However we continued through anyway. Thinking the trails and such would work fine.
Since we were not rushing to the rides we found lots of the hidden little trails and such. On one of them we found these guys. Continuing on we of course stopped for the important in front of the tree of life picture. Then off to spy on some animals. The flamingos were our first viewing. Then we moved down a trail that I think was actually the exit for Its Tough to be a Bug. There we found this little green bird who was VERY mad at us for disturbing him. I love the picture I snapped though. We decided to then go on the trail with the gorillas. I think it is the Pangi (sp?) one. I am terrible with the names here. Either way we definately enjoyed the views of those along the path. Don't you just love those little guys? So cute! Next we went to see the gorillas. Sadly the mama and baby were not into pictures today however the boys definately were. I got some very funny and thoughtful shots. I guess they were having a good hair day today and wanted to show it off! Next we headed over to Rafikis Planet watch. I love this little train ride and this area. It is usually not very crowded and I enjoy learning things. I have yet to catch a surgery but simply reading and listening to the experts is interesting. We did get a chance to meet a cute animal from the rainforest in the rodent family called an Igooti (I think that is how you spell it). All my Animal Planet watching paid off as I often would state the right answers (after children were given a chance to answer of course). Then we got to pet it! Weird but fun feeling. Much better then the snake they had out before. That was a no thank you for me! Once we had explored we headed back out to the "main land". Now I must start out by saying - I did a bad thing. But we did not realize it would be bad! My DH and I thought the safari ride would be safe. (I clearly did not remember how bumpy it was). For whatever reason we did not see the sign that it was bad for me until after when we passed the entrance again. (After having rode the ride)However as of right now everything is still good with the peanut. And in truth some of the roads around here are less then desirable so I am hoping it is nothing worse then a bumpy car ride to the little one.
Despite my mistake I was able to get excellent pictures on the safari. No lions out today but everyone else was ready for their close up.
After the safari (and a load of guilt for both of us) we decided to try for safer ventures. As apparently we cannot be trusted on much of anything. Heading down the trail I spotted a safe friend and could not help but get a picture since he was standing ALL ALONE! Then we saw a Flights of Wonder show starting. Since we knew I would be safe here we ventured in. Now I know lots of people have said they got to this show and it is empty. Well let me just say we must have picked the one time of the day that was not true. It was SOOOO crowded. I think we were lucky to find a seat but definately worth it. I am not a huge fan of birds but I certainly admire them and that increased greatly after the show. After the show we decided to go on the Jungle Trek and look at some tigers. After looking through the trails it was time for our lunch ADR to Yak and Yeti. Sadly I am terrible at taking food pictures. However trust me in the fact it was mouth watering. Last time we had dined downstairs and so it was neat our table was upstairs this time. We split the egg rolls and then I had the steak and shrimp combo and I think my husband had some sort of seafood dish. All I know is we both cleaned our plates. Yak and Yeti has never dissapointed us. If you like Asian fusion then I strongly suggest going there. The service, food and atmosphere do not dissapoint. 5 stars from us every time! Once we left lunch we realized it was starting to get hotter and so we decided to head out of the kingdom. All in all we had a wonderful day there. I thought we saw a lot but having looked at other TR we clearly missed a bunch. Which only fuels me to go back and take it even SLOWER. Which I think is really necessary there. Once we got back to WL we talked about what to do. We decided to actually split up. This was the first time we have done this on vacation. And let me just say - what an excellent concept. I reason that my DH and I would not spend all day and night with one another at home so why force it here? Everyone needs some seperate time - even at Disney. So he headed over to DHS to see Fantasmic and I headed over to DTD for some shopping. While I love my DH he is not a good shopping buddy. I spend more time looking for him then shopping and get annoyed when he gets annoyed. So I figured it would do better to go alone.
Let me just say that this was the only time I complained about bus service, or should I say lack of it. I waited more then half an hour for a bus to DTD, me and about 30 people or there abouts. However many it was too many for this bus. By the time we got on it we were CRAMMED on it. Of course I was standing, in the corner, between seats with my back against the window. When we stopped at GF I almost started laughing hysterically. We were supposed to fit MORE people on here? Where did they want me, hanging on the bumper? It was definately NOT good. By the time I got to DTD my feet hurt and I was a little grumpy. Thankfully shopping cheered me up. That was until I got to World of Disney. The lines and crowds in there were insane. Apparently all the cheerleaders who were crowding the park during the day decided to come here at night. I was never more thankful my DH did not come, as I knew he would be annoyed.
After shopping for some time I finally made my way back to WL. Thankfully the bus back was empty compared to the ride there. My DH said he had a good time at Fantasmic and was glad he saw it. Sadly it was too cold to go swimming so we just relaxed in the room. Next? Another Epcot day!
I'm all caught up- first of all, glad things are going smoothly with the pregnancy !!!! Also, I'm sorry about having to postpone your trip....but could you go in Feb, when we are there????? We love AK...we saw FoW for the first time last trip-we loved it! Still so much there we haven't seen. Okay....going solo at Disney.....isn't it fun??? Peter and I travel really well together, but I had such a great time at MK alone during our last two trips to WDW. The buses.....well you read all about my bus mishaps....not fun!! I love all the pictures you posted, your camera takes awesome pictures. I hope to get a new one someday! Take care!!!!!!
Glad things worked out well with DVC! It will all be worth the wait!!! And I just have to say.............seeing the pic of you and your DH in front of the Tree of Life.....I don't know why, but it just got me.........knowing that you have a little bundle of treasure in there........and the whole "Tree of Life" thing...........just call me a sap!!! So happy that all is going well for you!
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Great pictures from AK! Glad you and your DH enjoyed some time by yourselves!
Thanks it was definately a good time all around.
Quote:
Originally Posted by islandgirl
I'm all caught up- first of all, glad things are going smoothly with the pregnancy !!!! Also, I'm sorry about having to postpone your trip....but could you go in Feb, when we are there????? We love AK...we saw FoW for the first time last trip-we loved it! Still so much there we haven't seen. Okay....going solo at Disney.....isn't it fun??? Peter and I travel really well together, but I had such a great time at MK alone during our last two trips to WDW. The buses.....well you read all about my bus mishaps....not fun!! I love all the pictures you posted, your camera takes awesome pictures. I hope to get a new one someday! Take care!!!!!!
I would LOVE to have gone in Feb but sadly thats still only 2 months old. However you could change and go in September when we are hoping to go (September 2012 that is, lol)
I definately agree that some solo time is great. I appreciated seeing him again after out little seperation.
The buses definately can leave some things lacking. And as to my camera I got it for Christmas this year and I am SO happy with it. Last years pictures were no where near as good as these ones. Definately a good investment.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lfredsbo
Glad things worked out well with DVC! It will all be worth the wait!!! And I just have to say.............seeing the pic of you and your DH in front of the Tree of Life.....I don't know why, but it just got me.........knowing that you have a little bundle of treasure in there........and the whole "Tree of Life" thing...........just call me a sap!!! So happy that all is going well for you!
It was hard to let go of the trip but I agree it is for the best. And by the way your tearing up has got me tearing up. Just so you know I need very little encouragement to cry! Lol
Quote:
Originally Posted by lazanya
Glad you got things sorted! Great pics from AK!
Thanks! It really was an awesome time and I am glad we took our time there.
first off let me just say I love the "MINE" shirt. I assume you got it at Disney - do you remember where?
Sorry you have to postpone the December trip but think about the little bundle of joy you will be holding. Disney is a great place but still can't compare to a baby.
Sounds like you had a great day in AK. I really need to slow down in there and explore a bit more.
I agree about the splitting up, even for a while. you don't spend 24/7 with them at home so you need that free time on vacation too. I remember one time just going to get milk and that half hour all by myself was just enough.
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We love AK...we saw FoW for the first time last trip-we loved it! Still so much there we haven't seen. Okay....going solo at Disney.....isn't it fun??? Peter and I travel really well together, but I had such a great time at MK alone during our last two trips to WDW. The buses.....well you read all about my bus mishaps....not fun!! I love all the pictures you posted, your camera takes awesome pictures. I hope to get a new one someday! Take care!!!!!! 
Susan
So happy that all is going well for you!
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