Forums Closed
|
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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
|
|
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.
|
 |
|
11-23-2005, 02:05 PM
|
#1
|
|
Eileeeeeeen!™
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 28,861
|
Festing with Far-flung Friends - Mousefest 2005 - COMPLETE
<font color="blue"> <u>Festing with Far-flung Friends – Nov 30-Dec 4</u>
Pre-trip report
It all started innocently enough.
I was going to Disney for a Grand Gathering with family for the 050505 celebration this past May and started my pre-trip report a few days before I left. A darling Passporter named Karen aka zacksmom_1993 (who’s trip reports I’d been admiring for some time) read my pre-TR and posted that she was going to be there at the same time. A few PMs later and we had each others cell phone numbers.
Luckily enough, on April 30th, I came back from the POR pool just in time to catch Karen’s call. We made plans to meet at Fantasmic that night and I got to the stadium very early to grab a large block of seats for my family and for Karen and her son, Zack. Well, once I met Karen in person, I felt an instant connection – what a doll! And her son is cut from the same cloth as mine – they’re both called “The Disney Kid”’ by their classmates. We chatted and laughed before the show and wept and laughed during the show. I felt like I had found a long-lost sister!
Serendipity kicked in the next day and we ran into each other by one of the Friendship launches at Epcot right before the end of her trip.
I had a glorious Grand Gathering and then came home to a bad case of the post-WDW blues. Sigh… my AP had expired and I had no immediate plans to return to The World before my 40th birthday in Nov 2006.
Then I started reading posts about Mousefest. On June 6th, I PM’ed Karen. “Are you and Zack thinking of going to Mousefest this Dec?” She wasn’t, but she started mulling it over. But, by June 10th, she had a room booked! Gosh… now I had better get into gear.
I wanted to wait for AP rates to come out before reserving a room, but then Disney announced the Best Rate Program and I realized I would need some help from a travel agent on this one. Aha – I’d finally have a chance to work with the woman whose trip reports inspired me to start taking more frequent trips… the fabulous Maureen from Grand Getaways ( http://www.grandgetawaystravel.com ) aka statelady01 here on Passporter. I hopped on Disney’s website and ordered my AP voucher and, once I had that in hand, Maureen took care of all the details.
I had wanted to stay at Wilderness Lodge – partly because I haven’t stayed there yet and partly because that’s where Karen and Zack would be. No luck. All the BRP rooms were booked. So, I conferred with Calder and he wanted to stay at POFrench Quarter again – our very first “family trip” resort back in December ‘02. Mo took care of it for us and we got a pretty good BRP rate – I think it’s $104 (tax included) per night. She also arranged our MVMCP tickets for the big PP meet on Dec 1st.
Then it was on to AirTran’s site to find flights. Got decent ones for $339 total for the two of us. We even got a late day departure on Sunday the 4th. I’ll pull Calder out of school a little early on Wednesday and be park-hopping by dinner time. We’re looking forward to trying DME for the first time!
Karen and I PM’ed a few times back and forth about what restaurants we’d like to try to get ADRs for (they were called ADRs by this point!)
1) Since I had missed Chef Mickey’s on the past few trips, I was desperate to go again. (We had PSs, – they were *still* called PSs back then! – but my traveling companions made us skip them. Those buggers!)
2) Karen was dreaming of getting into the Sci-Fi Dine In with a party of four.
3) After our fabulous GG experience with Teppanyaki in May, I knew we’d want to eat there again.
Other than that, I didn’t have ideas. Karen was in the driver’s seat.
Wow! Did she do a terrific job, or what? She got all kinds of great times and restaurants. She even managed to re-jigger the arrangements as we both started hearing about new character meals and other restaurants from great trip reports. (I know Karen and Zack have at least one other ADR at Boma for breakfast. We both want to let our boys tour as much as possible, so the rest of the meals will be counter service.)
As for the Mousefest events – I was sad to see that many of the times conflicted with where we planned to be for EMH mornings/evenings and our ADRs, but I figured that Calder would only have the patience for a few of these gatherings anyway. As long as he gets to see Miss Tara, he’ll be happy! Other than that, he wants to stick to Zack like white on rice – “which is nice” (said in the Caddyshack voice) because I plan on sticking to Karen as much as she’ll let me!
Our current plans (which have yet to be laminated, so they are still subject to change!)
Wednesday – Check in and head to MK for the 7PM Spectro parade. Crystal Palace for dinner with K&Z at 7:30PM. Wishes at 8PM and then stay for EMH
Thursday - AK in the morning, MK for LTT & MVMCP, HM hunt at 4PM (Plaza), Ride Meet (Liberty Bell) at 7:15 and PP meet 8:45 tip board
Friday - ‘Ohana for 8:10 breakfast, Epcot, MGM for 3:55 SciFi dinner & Fantasmic before shopping at Downtown Disney?
Saturday - AK for EMH, 1-3:30 MegaMouseMeet (Dolphin), Epcot for evening
Sunday – Chef Mickey’s 9AM and then whatever we want to do…. Probably MK before our 8PM flight out
(Karen, correct me if I get any of this wrong!)
I’ve made a few items for the trip – luggage tags, autograph books and I stole Sarah’s (DopeyGirl) idea for a window sign announcing our Mousefest affiliation!
Autograph book covers
Mousekeeping envelopes
Our window sign
Calder and I stopped into The Disney Store last week and nabbed a hooded sweatshirt for him and he discovered a fascination for “cubies”…. Anyone know if they sell these at DTD?
Once I get through Thanksgiving (and I’m giving thanks because I don’t have to cook the whole dinner this year – just some pies and side dishes!!) I’ll pull out our luggage and my “Disney box” and start packing. And I can’t forget his Lego advent calendar….
Ooooh, I’m getting so excited!
</font> |
|
|
|
11-23-2005, 02:48 PM
|
#2
|
Community Rank: Legend 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 18,767
|
Re: Festing with Far-flung Friends - Mousefest 2005 - Pre-Trip - 11/23
GREAT start Eileen!!! I can't wait to meet you guys!!!
|
|
|
|
|
11-23-2005, 03:00 PM
|
#3
|
|
Living Seas wannabe
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 31,940
|
Re: Festing with Far-flung Friends - Mousefest 2005 - Pre-Trip - 11/23
What a great start!!! So looking forward to meeting you and Calder!!
|
|
|
|
|
11-23-2005, 04:53 PM
|
#4
|
|
Dopey's biggest fan!
Join Date: May 2004
Location: China Spring, TX
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 26,975
|
Re: Festing with Far-flung Friends - Mousefest 2005 - Pre-Trip - 11/23
Great start and it's great to hear the background to how this trip came about!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Looking forward to meeting you guys for Festivus . . . I mean MouseFest!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
|
|
|
|
|
11-23-2005, 05:42 PM
|
#5
|
|
RED SOX NATION!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854
|
Re: Festing with Far-flung Friends - Mousefest 2005 - Pre-Trip - 11/23
Great start Eileen [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] Have a great time [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img]
|
|
|
|
|
11-23-2005, 08:09 PM
|
#6
|
Community Rank: Legend
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Newtown Square, PA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 23,859
|
Re: Festing with Far-flung Friends - Mousefest 2005 - Pre-Trip - 11/23
YAY!! I can't wait to see you two again!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thewave.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thewave.gif[/img]
|
|
|
|
|
11-23-2005, 09:32 PM
|
#7
|
Community Rank: Legend
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Dreaming of the Future
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 24,867
|
Re: Festing with Far-flung Friends - Mousefest 2005 - Pre-Trip - 11/23
Great report can't wait for more
Amy
|
|
|
|
|
11-24-2005, 08:31 AM
|
#8
|
Community Rank: Trailblazer 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: South East London
Posts: 5,164
|
Re: Festing with Far-flung Friends - Mousefest 2005 - Pre-Trip - 11/23
Sounds like you're going to have a blast [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] Your plans sound great. Can't wait to read all about it. Not long to go now [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thewave.gif[/img]
|
|
|
|
|
11-24-2005, 09:38 AM
|
#9
|
Community Rank: Explorer 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: NC
Posts: 12,270
|
Re: Festing with Far-flung Friends - Mousefest 2005 - Pre-Trip - 11/23
[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] Festivus!! Andy just asked if we're going to gather around a pole and talk about our grievances!
|
|
|
|
|
11-24-2005, 02:29 PM
|
#10
|
Community Rank: Legend Extraordinaire 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Ohio Football Hall Of Fame
Posts: 42,304
|
Re: Festing with Far-flung Friends - Mousefest 2005 - Pre-Trip - 11/23
Great start Eileen!!! Can't wait to read all about it when you get back!!
|
|
|
|
|
11-25-2005, 11:40 AM
|
#11
|
Community Rank: Jetsetter 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Mateo, CA
Posts: 2,490
|
Re: Festing with Far-flung Friends - Mousefest 2005 - Pre-Trip - 11/23
[ QUOTE ]
[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] Festivus!! Andy just asked if we're going to gather around a pole and talk about our grievances!
[/ QUOTE ]
OK. That's hilarious! Glad to see your hubby shares my slightly wicked sense of humor. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] Eileen, I can't even tell you how excited we are to hang out with you and Calder. I'll see you next week! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] (Can you believe we can say that now?!!)
Karen
|
|
|
|
|
11-25-2005, 11:55 AM
|
#12
|
|
Guide since 2003
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: West Mifflin, PA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 11,546
|
Re: Festing with Far-flung Friends - Mousefest 2005 - Pre-Trip - 11/23
great start.. looking forward to meeting you guys
|
|
|
|
|
11-25-2005, 07:27 PM
|
#13
|
Community Rank: Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Michigan's Upper Peninsula
Posts: 27,691
|
Re: Festing with Far-flung Friends - Mousefest 2005 - Pre-Trip - 11/23
Can't wait to meet you and Calder, Eileen!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img]
|
|
|
|
|
11-26-2005, 04:41 PM
|
#14
|
|
But why is the rum gone?
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Needville, Texas
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 12,286
|
Re: Festing with Far-flung Friends - Mousefest 2005 - Pre-Trip - 11/23
I can't wait to hear about the trip!!!
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 05:53 PM
|
#15
|
|
Eileeeeeeen!™
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 28,861
|
Re: Festing with Far-flung Friends - Mousefest 2005 - Pre-Trip - 11/23
Well, the cat's out of the bag.... I had to tell Karen that I made autograph books for her and Zack. <sigh> I was really trying to keep it a secret!
Anyway, here they are:
More stuff in a minute
Eileen |
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|
About This Page: 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
Linear Mode
