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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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.
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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 very excited for you at your awesome score of a Poly room at such a great price. Promise to keep us arise ddof how it was for the little ones for I am hoping to stay here in the fall of 2016. Can't wait to read more on but plans & trip.
Your car trip sounds well thought out and fun! Ahhhhhh, I remember those days!. Except! I have to say I was wondering why you needed 31 insulated bags for your juice boxes???? Then I realized ( I hope) that you meant the company "31". Right?!?!?
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I driving--Dave and I chatter back and forth. We've been flying to maximize time but after our drive down last year, think we will continue with the drive. :yes
Sounds like you have some great plans well in hand!
It is, but it makes it easier to travel when the boys sleep through a chunk of the time- especially now that they understand what Disney is.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cattailmarsh
I am so very excited for you at your awesome score of a Poly room at such a great price. Promise to keep us arise ddof how it was for the little ones for I am hoping to stay here in the fall of 2016. Can't wait to read more on but plans & trip.
Thanks! I promise to take lots of pictures and write a TR...and finish it. TR are so much easier to finish when they're Disney related vs staycations.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tara O'Hara
Your car trip sounds well thought out and fun! Ahhhhhh, I remember those days!. Except! I have to say I was wondering why you needed 31 insulated bags for your juice boxes???? Then I realized ( I hope) that you meant the company "31". Right?!?!?
Your first night sounds perfect!
Tara
31 insulated bags That would be A LOT of bags to keep track of
I did mean the company, 31 Re reading it, I can completely see where you got that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NanaTink
Congrats on the Poly score!!
I driving--Dave and I chatter back and forth. We've been flying to maximize time but after our drive down last year, think we will continue with the drive. :yes
Sounds like you have some great plans well in hand!
My husband likes to drive, and trying to fly with 3 little guys it's not the stress I want to start a vacation with. We actually have priced flights to Orlando from Dayton, Cincinnati, Toledo and Cleveland....it would run almost $2500 to fly the five of us I'd rather spend that chunk of money elsewhere. Plus, because of the boys' allergies, flying becomes a bit of a logistical nightmare -
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The Fun, Old-Fashioned Family Vacation, 3.0 http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...ml#post4472933
Ch-Ch-Changes July 2015
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Your arrival plan day sounds great! I admire you so much for driving. Maybe it is because my kids are huge now but it just feels too cramped in the car now for more than a couple of hours.
I would be happy to listen and bounce dining ideas around. I do it enough to you lol!
Your arrival plan day sounds great! I admire you so much for driving. Maybe it is because my kids are huge now but it just feels too cramped in the car now for more than a couple of hours.
I would be happy to listen and bounce dining ideas around. I do it enough to you lol!
Be ware what you just offered, lol! Love you Amy, and LOVE the input and help you and Jenny have been able to give me It's a whole new world when you have to feed five in the world, and one has very definite likes and dislikes (and I'm talking about the spouse on this one),
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The Fun, Old-Fashioned Family Vacation, 3.0 http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...ml#post4472933
Ch-Ch-Changes July 2015
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Good driving plans! We leave after dinner and drive through the night so the boys will sleep too.
Funny that both you & Cam mention stopping in Valdosta, GA. We stopped there on our way home for a bathroom break last year and I vowed - never again! Mike took Dylan and I took Lukas and it was the most disgusting bathroom experience ever. I wouldn't even wash my hand in that bathroom it was that bad - we used wipes and hand sanitizer in the car.
Your plans sound great! I love it when I can 'plan' to do nothing on my first full day there! On our most recent trip, it was during the school year (I am a teacher and DH is a principal) so we are limited at the number of days we can take... we got in LATE one night at were at the MK bright and early the next day. Too much for me, especially with little ones in tow! A few years ago we went in the summer, and we had our arrival, departure, and another day in the middle planned as 'free' days... it was so nice to relax at the pool, visit DTD and the Boardwalk.
And way to go on the Poly reservation, that is amazing!!!!
Be ware what you just offered, lol! Love you Amy, and LOVE the input and help you and Jenny have been able to give me It's a whole new world when you have to feed five in the world, and one has very definite likes and dislikes (and I'm talking about the spouse on this one),
That's what we're here for! Besides we need to make sure our nephews have a great time
I didn't realize you were leaving at 1:30 am! That's crazy early, but I am so jealous of you right now. Chris would never agree to that, which is why we ended up leaving in the afternoon and sitting in Richmond rush hour traffic. It was so hard not to say "I told you so."
Travel plans are looking very good! We are staying at the Hampton Inn in Valdosta, GA, on our travel down to Orlando, too.
We stayed there on our first trip down, and my parents have stayed there on their trips south. There is a Walmart across the street in case you forget to pack anything (or in the event your toddler accidentally breaks the styrofoam cooler lid and you need to replace it).
On our last trip, we ended up staying in Lake City Florida and the hotel was "ok" for one night, but I prefer Hampton's.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles!
Good driving plans! We leave after dinner and drive through the night so the boys will sleep too.
Funny that both you & Cam mention stopping in Valdosta, GA. We stopped there on our way home for a bathroom break last year and I vowed - never again! Mike took Dylan and I took Lukas and it was the most disgusting bathroom experience ever. I wouldn't even wash my hand in that bathroom it was that bad - we used wipes and hand sanitizer in the car.
Unfortunately, we had a similar experience with the Georgia rest stop on I-75.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MayraLR
Congrats on getting that awesome discount at the Poly!
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by CheerDisney
Your plans sound great! I love it when I can 'plan' to do nothing on my first full day there! On our most recent trip, it was during the school year (I am a teacher and DH is a principal) so we are limited at the number of days we can take... we got in LATE one night at were at the MK bright and early the next day. Too much for me, especially with little ones in tow! A few years ago we went in the summer, and we had our arrival, departure, and another day in the middle planned as 'free' days... it was so nice to relax at the pool, visit DTD and the Boardwalk.
And way to go on the Poly reservation, that is amazing!!!!
Thank you! Our first trip, we checked in (discovered we were given a Magical Upgrade) and had to rush of to DHS. It was a nightmare - hot, crowded, travel weary kiddos. I vowed never to have a park day on our arrival day again.
Quote:
Originally Posted by num1DVCfan
That's what we're here for! Besides we need to make sure our nephews have a great time
I didn't realize you were leaving at 1:30 am! That's crazy early, but I am so jealous of you right now. Chris would never agree to that, which is why we ended up leaving in the afternoon and sitting in Richmond rush hour traffic. It was so hard not to say "I told you so."
Oh - do.not.take.Frozen.
You ladies are so awesome, and your nephews are getting really, really excited...about a trip they're not even sure is happening
We'd talked about leaving "later" toward 4 am, but with driving on a work day, that would have us hitting too many major cities at rush hour. Traffic through the bigger cities is already rough, considering a traffic jam in Troy, Ohio means five cars at a traffic light
I find it's really hard not to say "I told you so" a lot to Brian lately
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The Fun, Old-Fashioned Family Vacation, 3.0 http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...ml#post4472933
Ch-Ch-Changes July 2015
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What.a.week! I didn't really mean to be a.w.o.l but this was a super hectic week. Brian's team had 2 track meets and his Tuesday meet turned into a marathon session (he arrived home at 11:45) because the meet keep getting delayed because of thunder.
Nolan started his 2nd season of N.F.L. Flag football. He doesn't have any school buddies on his team, but was excited to find out he's on the Green Bay Packer's (His Dad's fav NFL team). He was really jealous to find out his best friend is on The Bengal's - Nolan's favorite NFL team. The boys get NFL Jersey's that are reversible for home and away, and they keep the jersey at the end of the season.
The younger two started soccer practice on Monday. Cullen had to be coaxed on the field (I had to have Patrick go with him for the first five minutes) because he was afraid the kids wouldn't understand him. I really hate that he's so conscious of how he sounds when he tries to speak. Once he got used to the idea of playing, and his coach (who happens to the the high school's varsity coach) took a few minutes just to talk with him, he was really enthusiastic about playing
Patrick his team, even though he didn't have any school friends on it. He quickly declared he likes indoor better because the "sun doesn't hurt his eyes, and he won't sweat a lot"
In between sport's schedules, I've been busily finishing up my final class for my principal license - once my portfolio is approved, I can sign up and take the license test. I have one.more.grad.class.to.take....and then I'm done for at least two years (until I have to renew my teaching license). The class this summer will allow me to teach College Credit Courses at the high school - a new initiative for Ohio. Sorry for the lack of pictures, but I'm typing on my Kindle, and can't attach photos (that I know of anyway).
Back to the trip:
WE WILL NOT BE TAKING FROZEN in the car as a movie choice We've learned from other's ....entertainment In fact, after Jenny's experience, I will be hiding our copy before we have the boys pick movies for the trip.
July 17th - this will be our first park day It's also the day that's been most firm in my plans. Surprised? Me too
We will be at the Animal Kingdom
We have a 10:10 Breakfast ADR at Tusker House (new for all of us )
We plan on heading straight for Kilamanjaro Safari's for an early ride. The park is scheduled to open at 9. Once our ride is finished, we'll check in for breakfast. I plan on scheduling our FP+ choices for later in the day, hoping to get a few things accomplished before then, but we'll see.
The boy's list for this park:
Kilamanjaro Safari - twice
Dinosaur (new for all - we'll see as the last time, the dinosaur in the boneyard scared the daylights out of Cullen and and took him two years to go anywhere near a dinosaur or watch dinosaurs on tv).
Cullen and Patrick have both requested Triceratop Spin
Cullen and Patrick have both requested Expedition Everest (new for everyone)
Nolan "thinks" he'd like to try Primeval Whirl
They've all requested a visit to the Boneyard, and each trail.
I'd like to see either Finding Nemo or Festival of the Lion King as I've never seen either.
Beyond our late breakfast, we don't really have any food plans because the park doesn't have a ton of variety for the younger two. There used to be a kiosk that had a lot of allergy friendly foods, but it now serves the Flame Tree items during the BBQ's refurbishment. I'm not sure IF the kiosk will return to the allergen friendly items once Flame Tree re-opens, and nor was the CM in special dining that I spoke with. I plan on bringing a lot of snack foods for the boys, and sticking with the bottled lemonade or water to refresh them.
After a lot of discussion with Brian, we've decided to add a 6th day to our park tickets. First, it was way cheaper than a side trip to Lego Land (and Lego Land was NOT allergen friendly, nor would they allow us to bring in a small cooler of food for the boys). The extra ticket day will allow us to return to this park For whatever reason, AK is quickly becoming my second favorite park (aside from MK).
My Other "must do?" At some point in this trip, I WILL finally make it over to AKL to eat. Brian isn't a very...adventurous eater, so at this point, we're sticking with the QS because there's a few options. Mainly, I just want to check out the lobby, cool off for a bit, and see if we can view any animals before returning to finish out touring day at AK which is open until 7:00 tonight, and I plan on having us "close out" the park. On our last trips, it always closed at 5:00.
We'll plan on returning to the Poly, swimming and possibly watching the movie if the boys like what is showing.
Up Next: Day #2 is now a Park Day
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Melissa, I that your boys are so involved in everything. When my kids were little, it was insane running them around, but we loved it! I miss those times so much!. They grow up way too fast! Anyway!
Your first day plans sound terrific! Tusker House is a fun breakfast and is also in our plans (for the moment, anyway!). I hope you do make it to AKL! Can you tell it is my favorite resort!!?? Muffin and I are staying there in December. I wanted to try and fit a meal in there for this trip but it just isn't going to work out this time. ALL of the food is delicious there, and there are lots of choices and variety.
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Ahhhhhh, I remember those days!
. Except! I have to say I was wondering why you needed 31 insulated bags for your juice boxes????
Then I realized ( I hope) that you meant the company "31". Right?!?!? 
driving--Dave and I chatter back and forth. We've been flying to maximize time but after our drive down last year, think we will continue with the drive. :yes
]
31 insulated bags
it's not the stress I want to start a vacation with. We actually have priced flights to Orlando from Dayton, Cincinnati, Toledo and Cleveland....it would run almost $2500 to fly the five of us
I'd rather spend that chunk of money elsewhere. Plus, because of the boys' allergies, flying becomes a bit of a logistical nightmare -
It's a whole new world when you have to feed five in the world, and one has very definite likes and dislikes (and I'm talking about the spouse on this one
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
). The extra ticket day will allow us to return to this park
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