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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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I've read that the board process can be a bit confusing for first time people -
there is more than one line for boarding - one for people who need forms and one for people that have everything straight and ready to get on board. I've also heard they call your name to board the boat.
I'm interested in hearing a detailed summary of the process and what to expect.
I'll have all my passport information registered prior to arriving and I'll be driving, parking and carrying on my own luggage.
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When you arrive at the port you will go through a security check point and be directed where to unload your bags and then be directed across the street to the parking lot. Then you will walk back to the terminal, present your ID at another security check point, enter the terminal, go through the metal detector checkpoint and up the escalators. To your left is a bank of check-in desks. You will check in, hand in all your paperwork (be sure to bring copies of the paperwork you did online) and be given a boarding group number. Then you are welcome to wander around to room, check out the model of the ship, register your children for the Oceaneers Club and wait for your group to be called. When your group number is called, proceed to the large yellow porthole on the far side of the terminal and board the ship! The process is very easy compared to other cruise lines. Once you have passed through the porthole, you will have the opportunity to stop for a group photo then you will board the ship where you will be "welcomed." "The Disney Magic is pleased to welcome to Smith Family!" followed by applause and welcomes from the crew.
Registered Message Board Members Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
Guest on the land/sea package will check-in at the resort. First check-in at the resort desk, then they'll direct you over to the DCL desk. You'll complete all your check-in information there so make sure you have your passports/id/completed cruise documents.
If you use DCL transfers, when you get to the port terminal, you'll simply go thru security and board the ship (as your arrival time will be after the ship begins boarding). Have your Key to the World card and photo ID handy and enter thru the 'golden Mickey ears!'
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Lynn
Yes, I am a Disney Addict... and I'd rather be cruising!.
Belle mentioned having copies of "all" the paperwork you did online, however we went ahead and only printed out what needed signatures. If the online registration tells you that you are done, then you won't need to print it out. Make sure you double check, however, that you have the ones that they require signatures on. We had no problems, checked in right away and walked right on, since they were still handing out the number that was currently boarding.
Registered Message Board Members save 30% off PassPorter guidebooks! When you register you'll have access to a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of PassPorter books in our online store.
I arrived on the bus with those on the land/sea packages, but had done room only and sea only +transfers. They had a couple of CMs at a little table in the middle of the entry way to help you check to see that you'd done all your paperwork, before directing you to the lines to check in officially.
I don't know if they do that when there is a larger crush of people or not, though.
Yes, they do do this "pre-processing" at all times. It helps ensure that people have their paperwork before check-in (to speed those lines), and keeps folks on the Land/Sea Package from standing unnecessarily in the check-in line. If anything, that function is more important during a "crush" than when things are quiet.
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Co-Author, PassPorter's Walt Disney World, PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line, and PassPorter's Disneyland and Southern California Attractions
I have a drainage shunt in my brain that is reset by magnets. Last year when we went on the Wonder, I had lots of trouble with the security people, because of the metaldetectors. I spent a lot of time trying to explain why I could not go through the detectors, over an hour one time. Any sugestions on how I can make this easier?
Did you obtain the DCL medical information form , and report your circumstances to the cruise line beforehand? That'll be your best bet. Since the security staff has access to your reservation information, they should be able to swip your Key to the World Card when you board and find confirmation that you shouldn't go through the scanner.
You can obtain the form by phoning DCL, or logging into the My Cruise section of the DCL site, and accessing the Online Check-in section.
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Co-Author, PassPorter's Walt Disney World, PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line, and PassPorter's Disneyland and Southern California Attractions
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Once you have passed through the porthole, you will have the opportunity to stop for a group photo then you will board the ship where you will be "welcomed." "The Disney Magic is pleased to welcome to Smith Family!" followed by applause and welcomes from the crew. 
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