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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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 am thinking of surprising DH with a massage on our next trip. I am tempted to get a facial or manicure or something as well. Has anyone done this? What type and where did you have it?
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My sister and I both had facials done at the spa at Saratoga Springs last May and we also had body therapies done at the Grand Floridian spa. We both thought the services were wonderful and a perfect way to pamper yourself or someone else.
My husband and I spent the day at Mandara Spa on our trip in September. It was my first (but not last) massage and I am hooked for life. We both had the hot stone massage and I have never been so relaxed in my life.
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
MMMMMM that sounds really great, and by the way, I am glad for this post as it gave me a great idea. Last year it was all about our DGD. Even if we take her again (maybe this year even) I want my DH to know it can also be all about him too, so I think I will get him an appointment on our next visit for some pampering (may even get one myself).
How pricey are the massages? What of the facials are they reasonable or really high?
One of my fondest WDW memories was the trip that DH surprised me with a massage. On the way from the airport to the hotel, he dropped me at the Grand Floridian saying he booked a massage for me. He and my Mum then went to the hotel and checked in with the kids while I relaxed.... ahh. The Spa at the GF was wonderful!!!
I guess I would pick the spa closest to your hotel, unless there is something specific you want that is only at one location. I also got a massage at the Boardwalk one year, and it was very nice but not the same relaxing "spa" feeling since it is in the gym. However, we were staying at the BW, so to get the massage without traveling was a plus.
Enjoy.... and now I am thinking, boy, it has been a while since I have been pampered at WDW, maybe on my next trip!
This is the website for Niki Bryan Spa, who manages the Grand Fl and SS spas. You should be able to get all the info you need (i.e. prices and descriptions of services) from here.
I have had several manicures/pedicures and facials at GF, and they were all wonderful. I highly recommend that you try it - you'll love it! They offer great customer service, and you have all-day access to the facilities, including the workout room and saunas, even if you are just getting a manicure. It's so relaxing.
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Raising our family's 3rd generation of WDW fanatics!
Dianne......I went to the GF for a couple of treatments last March. I had the citrus zest facial and it was wonderful!!! Having never had one lete me tell you that it is more than I thought it would be..... I think I also had the soothing tired legs massage as well. Angie (Poohsgirl) reccomended that one to me.....it was nice but not as good s that facial!!!!!!!
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'99 off-site
'03 off-site
'04 AKL
'05 French Quarter
'06 Old Key West / French Quarter
'07 SSR
We go to the GF spa every time we're in WDW, the girls and I get facials, manicures and pedicures and DH gets a massage. We love it!
We went to Saratogo Springs once and will never go again. The quality of service just was not the same. My manicure was awful, and my nail polish peeled off within a couple of hours. It was probably just a bad day there, and maybe we got some new people or something, but it soured us to the whole SS thing.
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 had a facial and a soothing leg treatment at the GF spa, and it was wonderful! DH and I are doing his and hers massages on Castaway Cay in May, I can tell you how they are when we get back.
I think it's a great idea, a very relaxing way to spend some time.
Just signed up for this treat on my birthday at AK Lodge next month...
Zahanati Spa
Aromatherapy Massage & Body Wrap
Experience the calming and therapeutic effects of our signature treatment. A custom aromatherapy massage is followed by warm compresses and heat as you are lightly wrapped to encourage the bio-absorption of nurturing essential oils. A luxurious scalp massage is the final touch as your body and psyche experience a state of total relaxation.
110 minutes: $150.00
DH & I went to the GF spa last May. Honestly, it was disappointing. The space was absolutely tiny & twice, while waiting for our services, we were STANDING in the lounges, because there was nowhere to sit. We've been to several spas & this would be last on our list. It was also frustrating, because an error in our reservations meant that we had to rearrange things last minute. I had hardcopies (thank goodness) of all the info, but it was still a hassle. That being said, WHILE I was having my service (Tired Legs Treatment), the technician was sweet & attentive & I thoroughly enjoyed the service. If I could be sure it wouldn't be as crowded, I'd do it again.
I took a few pictures of the meditation rooms before our treatment. The first picture is the entryway to the spa. The second and third pictures are of the meditation rooms.
The link to information about the services and prices for the Mandara Spa at the Swan and Dolphin is located HERE. If you scroll to the bottom of the page there are links for the Salon, Spa, and YSPA prices. There is also a link to a pdf file of the services.
I know that my husband would love a surprise of spa treatments!
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
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