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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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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Long story short - DH has gone on 3 trips with his male family members at different times in our relationship. 2 were a week long, 1 was 3 weeks.
All 3 times he has left me with the kids and house. The 3 week trip, he also left me with a store to run (3 kids, 2 different schools - no buses and a buisness, plus the regular mom housework to deal with)
I've only gone away twice. Once with friends (overnight) and once on my own (again, overnight). Other than that, when I've gone on vacation (WDW) without him, it's been with me taking all 3 girls.
So, because I've been so stressed lately, I told him that I was thinking of taking a few days to myself and heading south (guess where?). He then responds - he doesn't want me to do that, it wouldn't be right without the kids. BUT - he will "let" me go to El Cajon, CA (San Diego area) to see my Paternal Grandmother. I haven't seen her in 5 years.
If I'm going to do that - I'll want to go to the zoo and Sea World out there, I also would want to take the kids. Especially Kathryn who is named for my grandma. I just can't see going to do that without my kids. BUT - grandma is not in the best of health and Lauren would wear her out (heck, the kid wears me out about 4 seconds after she wakes up!)
So, do I take him up on his offer? I mean, some alone time is better than nothing.
Part of what I think is irratating to me is that all those trips he took, he never asked and I didn't dictate where he was going. The one overnight on my own, he decided I was going, and what day I was going, and then gave me a (very small) budget - so I had absolutely NO fun.
This time, I say I want some alone time, and immediately he knows where I'm going and who I'm going to see, and what I'll be doing (he has also decided that it would be best if I go while the kids are in school - so he can just take them to school and then do whatever he wants for 8 hours - remember, he just lost his job)
If you want to go to WDW go to WDW. It isn't up to him to decide where you go on your get-away. He is a big boy he can take care of himself. Tell him it is your mother's day gift to yourself
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Robin Twitter name: @NKsDogwalker Find me on FB: robinkay6573@yahoo.com 38th Birthday with Mom, Dad and friends 2011
Next Trip: Cruise on Jewel of the Seas for Christmas 2012
Teresa, who the heck does he think he is?!! He'll LET you go? And HE decides WHERE?!! Now I could understand if he said that there just wasn't a budget for a WDW trip. But if there's a budget for a trip, then I think YOU ought to decide where to go. Remind him that when Mamma aint happy, aint NOOOOOOBODY happy. You are an adult and should be able to decide where you want to go.
Teresa, who the heck does he think he is?!! He'll LET you go? And HE decides WHERE?!! Now I could understand if he said that there just wasn't a budget for a WDW trip. But if there's a budget for a trip, then I think YOU ought to decide where to go. Remind him that when Mamma aint happy, aint NOOOOOOBODY happy. You are an adult and should be able to decide where you want to go.
I'm with you Mary Ann! Teresa - There is nothing wrong with your taking a break if you can afford it! I would sit down and lay it out for him and just tell him you're going where you will get the most benefit - WDW of course. Try to sell him on what his benefits will be (a happy, refreshed wife! ), but I'd stick to my guns and go to WDW!
Oh, Teresa... it sounds like you have a very sweet DH who is afraid to be alone with the kids! I have one of those, too. He gets frantic when he is alone with both of them while I'm in the shower. So trying to get time alone can be monumental, I understand. If you don't mind my advice, read on, but if you just wanted to vent - I HEAR YOU!
If you're willing to compromise, then go see Granny by yourself. It might be tempting to take the kids but think of it this way - this trip could be a stepping stone for you and DH. If he feels confident with the kids while you're gone, then the next time you want some alone time he will probably let you make the decision where and when. However, if you're unwilling to compromise then be sure to tell him the problems you're having in making the decision to stay or go. It isn't what you were hoping for, and by visiting someone who is elderly, while very good to see her, you will still be in the role of caring for someone else (even if you are just entertaining her) which is not the purpose for your needing time away (you need to avoid burn out, and would caring for someone else on vacation be doing that? I don't think so), not to mention the you would like a level playing field for get-aways and you don't feel that the two of you are on one. Ask him how he would like to resolve the problem and help you feel better about this decision (always gotta let them think that they are in charge, right? Even though you've totally planted the seed) and he will probably come around. Hold your ground for what would make you the most happy, and make sure he understands that your time should be designed for you by you in order to get optimal results (i.e "I can take better care of you, DH"). GOOD LUCK and let us know what happens!
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Boogie down!!! __________________________________________________ ______ "Life's like a movie, write your own ending. Keep believing. Keep pretending." from The Muppet Movie
I think you should do what you want to do, It's your special time for YOU!!!!!!!!!! If it's in the budget go where you want to go. That simple. Tell him you never interfere with his plans to go off with the boys and he should show you the same respect.You are a grown woman and deserve a break. Deb P.S. I am happy to have a DH that respects me and never questions me about my choices..
You Go, Girl! (to WDW, that is ). I'm in agreement with the others who've said that if he can go off with the "guys" without your consent for extended lengths of time, then you can go to WDW by yourself if you want, and your budget permits!
Thanks ya'll. I do have to defend DH a bit. I think I painted him in a poor light in the first post. We talked over dinner this PM, and here's the deal:
IF I really want to go to WDW, it won't be a big deal. Just something that neither of us has done without kids. One of those trips he took was to the LA area to visit some cousins and go fishing. One day he took the time to go to DL, and he says it just wasn't the same without the kids. We took the kids out there the next year and he stated that it was way more fun with people to share it.
The reason he wants me to go see my grandma is that he knows I was disappointed on that trip to DL. I had hoped to go see her one day, but his niece went with and we never seemed to find the time. AND - grandma isn't in such great health AND his Grandma just died last Oct. SO - he's afraid if I don't go soon, I'll never get to see DGM again.
AND - WDW would be way more expensive (he thinks) since I like the nicer things in life. In San Diego, my DGM lives with one of my uncles, and an aunt and numerous cousins live near. SO - I probably wouldn't have to pay for much (I'd get a hotel though - I hate to intrude)
So, it's up to me now. And I can go when I want. The reason he said he wanted me to go while the kids were in school was so that I'd beat the summer vacation crowd at the popular attractions I might want to visit.
Might still say no though, I had hoped if I went my sister or one of my cousins here could go with. Dsis can't, and then I remembered - I don't like any of my cousins that live in Indy!! Now, the ones in OK, ND, SD, and CA - that's a diff. story!