Forums Closed
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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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!
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Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.
To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.
If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.
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11-16-2005, 03:53 PM
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#106
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Community Rank: Adventurer 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Foothills of Maine
Posts: 784
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
I am hooked on every word Maureen. I am thrilled beyond belief that things have gone so well so far! Can't wait to hear more!
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11-16-2005, 04:50 PM
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#107
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: Missouri
Posts: 4,595
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
Just caught up on your report! So wonderful! I love the pictures and the pure magical smiles on everyone's face!
I love your idea about Chef Mickey's the first night! I will have to try that out!
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11-16-2005, 06:31 PM
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#108
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Community Rank: Explorer 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: NC
Posts: 12,270
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
Glad Chef Mickey's was a [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] for you guys!! And I loved the pictures of the characters with the kids!! So CUTE!!!
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11-16-2005, 06:49 PM
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#109
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Community Rank: Globetrotter 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 3,536
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
I agree with you about starting the trip at Chef Mickey's can't wait to read more.
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11-17-2005, 10:56 AM
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#110
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Community Rank: Globetrotter
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Corona, New York
Posts: 3,436
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
<font color="purple">I am so happy that everything went so smoothly with the flights & arrival, Mo.[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Seeing Katie's face in the picture with Minnie makes all the worrying so worth it![img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]
Can't wait to [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zread.gif[/img] more of your adventures! </font>
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11-17-2005, 11:43 AM
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#111
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Eileeeeeeen!™
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 28,861
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
I loved the "Did you make the roast beef" comment. I would've died laughing! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img]
Terrific update - can't wait for more
Eileen
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11-17-2005, 09:18 PM
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#112
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Fort Smith, Arkansas
Posts: 10,721
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
[ QUOTE ]
Did you get as excited to see Mickey as Katie did about Minnie?? I remember you at 'OHana and I think the picture from that morning is my all time fav pic of you - total excitement.
[/ QUOTE ]
Terri- Actually, I got that way with both Mickey and Stitch. I love that photo from May and am so glad you got it- the squeaking comes to mind every time I see it! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Sorry for the delay in posting- been busy around these parts the past day or so! Anyway here goes the ending to our arrival day:
We headed downstairs to the ground floor of the Contemporary. There were two buses at the stop and one line looked a bit lengthy so I told Aaron to run ahead to find out where the bus was going- he happily obliged. “Mo, Mo, it’s going to Downtown Disney!” He screams this like he had found some pot of gold- and I guess in the realm of Disney Transportation- walking onto the bus you need with no wait- well, you can’t do much better than that.
It was a bit crowded but we managed to find seats for everyone. Thus marks Katie and Emily’s first Disney bus, er, motorcoach ride.
The kids enjoyed the ride and we came up alongside Saratoga Springs- which forever will be burned on my brain as the Sandy and Bob resort- because of the magic that happened there for them just a few days before! Saratoga really looks like a great place and one day, I hope to try it. I’ve loved the Downtown Disney area since I was little and remember the days of the Treehouse Villas and the days the Marketplace was known as the “Disney Village.” Oops, sorry, let’s get back on to the main road from memory lane.
We hopped off at the Marketplace stop and headed towards shopping bliss:
We didn’t get very far before the kids spotted the carousel and begged for a ride. Katie kept saying, “Dad- merry go round?” over and over. If you ever have been around an autistic child- when they get in these modes, if you can solve the issue or address the problem- it will benefit your sanity. So, we happily put them all on the carousel and the pictures once again, do a better job than I can of telling how much fun the kids were having:
After the carousel ride, we headed to Once Upon A Toy. All of the kids wanted to do their own thing- but we managed to keep them together as best we could. Katie, Emily and I headed for the back of the store- where Katie found My Little Pony. She has got to own over 50 but always has a knack for finding something new:
Emily and I had fun browsing Jo Jo and Ariel stuff. Each of the girls picked one thing out for themselves and then we went to find the boys. Austin men spotted in the Star Wars section- where each of them picked up something.
I also picked up the WDW Candy Land game- I had been eyeing that for some time and figured now was as good a time as any to buy it.
We headed on out to Team Mickey’s, where I found a nifty golf towel for a friend of ours here in Arkansas. Matthew’s best friend Andy has wonderful parents we are good friends with- and Greg runs marathons – so I had hoped to find some Disney Marathan merchandise- which I came up empty on. Kevan found a great ESPN football cap which he bought. The kids got pretty bored, so Beverly took them over to the train near the pin store. They were still riding when Kevan and I finished at ESPN so he and I went to the pin center. We found a few new Stitch ones.
By this time, it was getting a little bit on the crowded side and the kids were starting to request to go back to the hotel- and I had no complaints with that myself. We had been up since 4:00 am and I was impressed with their stamina as it was!
We decided to take a quick peek into World of Disney first and try to find some sweatshirts for those who wanted them. This would be Aaron and I. Everyone else had a fleece jacket or something- he and I had to find something warmer! We browsed around quite a bit to find them. The store was really crowded- moreso than usual- and it was hard to navigate around. Finally, I spotted a Stitch hoodie for myself and Aaron chose a 2005 one. Kevan took the rest of the kids back outside to sit by the water while Beverly and I paid for the sweatshirts.
On the way out, Aaron spotted graduation Mickey Ears and asked to take a picture of me in them- sure, why not? They were cute but I didn’t get them as I wanted to see what 2006 grad stuff they would be coming out with next trip. But it was a neat sneak preview for May and you know if I could get away with those ears instead of the traditional cap- I’d do it!!
We made our way back to the bus stops and waited about 20 minutes. Emily fell asleep in Kevan’s arms and stayed zonked until we got back to the Polynesian. She woke up for a little while as we got settled back in the room- but was soon out like a light once more. Got everyone else bathed or showered. It was at this moment, the sheer exhaustion of weeks of worry, planning and the stress of a travel day hit me. I could barely keep my eyes open long enough to set a wake up call- but somehow I managed.
Something about cool sheets and a comfy bed after a tiring but awesome day at Disney. Nothing beats falling asleep at the Happiest Place on Earth. Tomorrow would be another big day as we would begin our park experiences at the Magic Kingdom. Within 5 minutes of lights out – everyone looked like this: [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/snore.gif[/img]
Coming Up Next: To pass or not to pass? That is the question! |
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11-17-2005, 10:16 PM
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#113
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Illinois
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 9,564
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
Terrific! I'm tearing up as I read, the moments must have been wonderful seeing the kids have their character experiences.
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11-17-2005, 11:28 PM
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#114
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Dopey's biggest fan!
Join Date: May 2004
Location: China Spring, TX
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 26,975
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
Great update!!! I am impressed the kids stayed alert and not cranky that long!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]
Looking forward to more!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]
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11-18-2005, 06:05 AM
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#115
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Community Rank: Trekker 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Maine
Posts: 1,831
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
What a fantastic first day!! Your kids certainly have more energy than I do!
Looking forward to more!
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11-18-2005, 07:49 AM
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#116
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Niagara Falls
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 12,431
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] Great update!!!!
Jennifer
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11-18-2005, 08:38 AM
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#117
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Community Rank: Adventurer
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Foothills of Maine
Posts: 784
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
What a wonderful full day! No wonder everyone zonked out so fast! Can't wait to hear what is in store next!
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11-18-2005, 08:59 AM
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#118
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Community Rank: Legend 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 18,767
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
I would have passed out in 5 minutes too after a day like that. What a great day!! Looking forward to more!
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11-18-2005, 09:25 AM
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#119
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Community Rank: Legend Extraordinaire 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Ohio Football Hall Of Fame
Posts: 42,304
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
Great update Maureen!!! Wow, you guys had a really busy day, I can't believe how well all the kids did!! Can't wait to read more!!!
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11-18-2005, 09:50 AM
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#120
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Living Seas wannabe
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 31,940
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Re: Stitch, Spooks, and Smiles: Pre Trip Part 1
What a fantastic day you had!!! I can not wait to read more!
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