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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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04-07-2016, 08:51 PM
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#1
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PassPorter Guide
 Community Rank: Globetrotter 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,041
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Feature Article: Visiting Walt Disney World While Pregnant - A Walt Disney World Planning Article
Visiting Walt Disney World While Pregnant - A Walt Disney World Planning Article
by Emily Carleton
I know what you’re thinking. Who wants to visit Walt Disney World pregnant? All that walking? No rides?!
Well, as a reformed commando-style visitor, I can tell you there’s no better way to fully embrace the “do less, enjoy more” lifestyle than to visit the parks while pregnant. If you do find yourself pregnant while planning a trip to Walt Disney World, the first thing you need to do is talk to your midwife or doctor. If you’re as lucky as I am, your midwife will be an avid Disney fan and will be able to discuss ride and touring options with you, but if not, be prepared to bring specific questions to your healthcare provider. If you are flying and more than 20 weeks pregnant, I suggest getting a doctor’s note that you are okay to fly. Some airlines will request this at check-in or boarding.
If you have a choice in when you go, opt for a winter month; Disney World doesn’t really have a slow season anymore but if you travel sometime in mid-January to early March--avoiding the holiday and race weekends--you will find the parks less crowded and the temperatures mild.
But what about the rides?! Obviously roller coasters are out, but other rides will be at your discretion. Disney does a great job of posting warnings and recommendations for who shouldn’t ride at the entrances of all their attractions but ultimately it is up to you. As an example, I chose to ride the Kilimanjaro Safaris, which has a pregnancy warning due to the bumpy ride. Since I have ridden it several times before I was aware of the terrain and decided that I would be okay. However, I requested to sit in the front row closest to the driver because it’s a smoother ride. I also recommend taking time to see the shows. You get to sit, they’re usually air conditioned, and they’re great! Finding Nemo: The Musical? Yes, please! No matter how you choose to spend your time at the parks, one thing you can count on is that you will be doing a lot of walking! I recommend investing in a maternity support belt. You can purchase this at a maternity store where the employees will show you how to use it and ensure that it fits you properly. This is a life saver! One day we spent just the afternoon in World Showcase so I didn’t bother to put it on and my back hurt within an hour of leaving the hotel room. With the support belt, I could tour all day with no pain. Also, as with any Disney World trip, bring comfortable, broken-in sneakers with good support.
Everyone needs to stay hydrated in Disney but this is especially important when you’re pregnant because dehydration can cause pre-term contractions. You should bring your own water bottle and refill it often. If you don’t want to carry a bottle around, you can get ice water from any kiosk or counter service restaurant without making a purchase. You will become an expert on all the restroom locations and luckily they are plentiful!
Know your limits and take breaks when you need them, even if that means changing your plans. After waiting three hours to see Anna and Elsa with my 3-year old, I was ready to call it a day and rather than spending the rest of the day in Future World as scheduled, we retired to the pool. If you just need a short break, consider visiting the Baby Care Station. Each park has one and they offer a quiet, air conditioned place to sit. Each park also has First Aid Stations, usually located near the Baby Care Stations, in the event that you feel you’ve exceeded your limits and need to consult with a medical professional.
Take some time to pamper yourself! Consider splurging on a spa treatment. The Senses Spa offers 50 and 80 minute prenatal massages as long as you are past your first trimester. My 80 minute massage was amazing and, scheduled midweek, was the perfect way to relax and reenergize for the rest of the trip. If you can’t spring for the massage or are still in your first trimester, something as simple as a facial or pedicure could provide you with some relaxing downtime. Be aware that if you choose to visit the spa you will not be able to utilize the steam room and Jacuzzi, but you do get unlimited delicious mini cupcakes and infused water!
While I never thought I’d find myself at Walt Disney World pregnant, I can honestly say it was one of my most enjoyable trips and I may never tour commando-style again… well at least not until my kids are older.
Added to PassPorter's Article Collection on 04-05-2016 08:04 AM
What do you think? Please add your own comments, experiences, or news related to this article in this thread! Reader feedback is welcomed and encouraged.
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