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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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Totally here you on the backpack thing! We have one that we have used for our son and to Disney for years! When it finally goes don't know what to do, they have changed so much and there are so many to chose from! Like your choice!
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OMG, I had the same backpack!!! I hated when I finally had to retire it, it broke my heart. So I don't think it's silly. Congrats on the new backpack!!
What a funny coincidence! I'm glad you (and so many others) understand my sentimental longing for my awesome backpack!
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Originally Posted by stardust190
I still have the Jansport backpack I carried around in college. It's getting to the point that it needs to be retired, but I too find way too many configurations for backpacks. I just need one to haul all my crap and have a few compartments and such. You'll have to let us know how this new one works out for you. I'm not sure if I'd like a single strap, but then I don't know that I wouldn't like it either.
Peter (my 10 year old) bought one for school this year. I admit that it does look very comfortable, and it certainly is easier to get on and off. I just hope it isn't too hot having the strap go all the way across my torso.
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Originally Posted by disney_duke
I have a Baggallini messenger bag and can't imagine travelling anywhere without it!! So I totally understand. I think you'll be happy with your purchase!
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Originally Posted by lauriep
I understand your attachment to Frankenbackpack-- I do the same thing with bags, and clothing, too. I like the new one, though, and hope it does the job!
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Originally Posted by Dlandmom2
Another one here attached to her backpack! I like the style of your new one. Give us a review after your trip!
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Originally Posted by disneymom57
Sorry you had to say goodbye to an old friend, but I do like the new backpack.
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Originally Posted by taylan1
Totally here you on the backpack thing! We have one that we have used for our son and to Disney for years! When it finally goes don't know what to do, they have changed so much and there are so many to chose from! Like your choice!
Thanks everyone! Until I wrote it all down, I didn't really realize how kind of odd it is that I had named my backpack. You all have definitely made me feel like I'm not totally looney!
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Originally Posted by lfredsbo
Hello.............just jumping in here!!!
!!!!!
I hear ya about the backpack..............have a black one myself (Jansport) that is our carry on bag!!!!! LOVE it!!!!
Well................I will have to keep my eye out for you two! We will be at the same MNSSHP!!!
Thanks for the birthday wishes! The celebration continued today at the new restaurant owned by Top Chef Masters contestant Monica Pope. It was super yummy!
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First of all - great run! I think you'll have a blast at Disney.
I love your backpack. I bring two. A water-proof Dooney pack for when I don't have to carry rain ponchos, and a Vera Bradley pack when I'm expected to be the pack mule for everyone. I shouldn't say that really because my husband always winds up carrying my pack. It's especially funny when he's wearing the pretty floral pack.
Have a really magical time. I'll be looking forward to the updates!
the new backpack! and may the Frankenbackpack rest in peace! I totally get your attachment.
Thanks! I told the kids about the new backpack, and they didn't even realize that Frankenbackpack had been "retired." They were sad too.
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Originally Posted by lfredsbo
This time we are actually making tees - very similar to the ones in my sig pic but Halloween colors and glow in the dark paint!
That sounds cool! I'll be looking for you!
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Originally Posted by chezp
Nice new backpack!
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Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Congrats on the backpack!
Thanks! It is supposed to arrive this week, so I can't wait to get my hands on it!
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Originally Posted by disneydreamer33
Sounds like you did a great run. Happy Belated Birthday!
Thank you! My kids pointed out to me that last night was the first time I had tucked them into bed as a 40-year-old. I guess DH has done it every night since my birthday! I said, "Really? The first time? I guess in my old age, I'm getting forgetful!"
Quote:
Originally Posted by GinnyMouse
First of all - great run! I think you'll have a blast at Disney.
I love your backpack. I bring two. A water-proof Dooney pack for when I don't have to carry rain ponchos, and a Vera Bradley pack when I'm expected to be the pack mule for everyone. I shouldn't say that really because my husband always winds up carrying my pack. It's especially funny when he's wearing the pretty floral pack.
Have a really magical time. I'll be looking forward to the updates!
LOL, when I called DH to ask about what color/pattern for the backpack, I said I would try to avoid pretty pink flowers. He said he didn't care and I know that he would wear it no matter what (but I still avoided pretty pink flowers).
Just 10 days to go! I did online checkin for the BCV portion of our trip this morning.
When I logged on the the DVC member website to check in, I noticed an announcement regarding a special DVC perk that was being extended through the end of the year: any DVC member staying in any WDW resort hotel (on cash or on points) through December 31 can get access to the Top of the World Lounge at BLT!
This perk was originally set to expire on 8/25, but they extended it through year-end. I hadn't heard about this at all (or hadn't paid attention since it was originally outside of our travel dates). I'm so excited! I've been dying to check it out, and I want to see Wishes from up there as well.
I'm also excited that news is starting to trickle out about Epcot's 30th anniversary, which will happen while we're there. David and I are currently debating by text whether the souvenir park maps, limited edition pins, etc. will be given out at the International Gateway entrance also or whether we'll have to make our way to the front entrance for these items. Anyone have a guess about this?
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Yay for online checkin! Great news about BLT...it sounds like such a great place to watch Wishes! And I can't wait to hear about Epcot's anniversary! I hope you get and see lots of great things!
__________________
Huge Disney Fan...Always Have Been...Always Will Be!
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I'd heard about access to the lounge, but haven't heard anything about the Epcot Anniversary things. My guess would be that if the limited edition items are available at the front entrance they'll also be at the IG.
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Pixie Dust
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You all have definitely made me feel like I'm not totally looney! 
the new backpack! and may the Frankenbackpack rest in peace! I totally get your attachment.
PassPorter Guide Author
Liz 
I've been dying to check it out, and I want to see Wishes from up there as well.
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