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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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
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Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
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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.
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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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My family is visiting Universal for the first time this summer. We are actually great WDW fans, but thought we would try something new. Also, we can bring our dog to Universal.
We are staying at Portofino Bay. Has anyone brought a pet to Universal and how was the experience?
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I have never traveled with pets, so I cannot provide first hand experience. You can go here, LOCATION & INFO - Loews Hotels ,to see the hotel's policies on pets.
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I don't have a dog to travel with, but I've read some reports that give the Universal hotels high marks on allowing their animals and providing space for walking them at the resorts. I'm sure you'll be happy.
I took my family to Universal last year for the first time. (I'd been with my sister previously). We'd done Disney many times without stepping off property before. We really had a great time at US/IOA and look forward to doing it again. My kids asked to go back this year (not this time....decided to add waterparks and more to our WDW tickets instead).
I stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel when I went with my sister. I was on a floor that did not have pets, so I only saw a couple outside or in the lobby.
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Traveling with a pet can be very stressful. My dog is my child so I will never risk anything happening to her. Yes a hotel might be "dog friendly" however...there are always restrictions. Call your resort and have them fax or mail you a sheet with theirs. Alot of hotels do not allow your dog to be unattended in the room (that puts a major damper on travel plans) and those that do require the dog to be crated or out of the room for house keeping. I ALWAYS bring my dogs crate, she gets really excited and has a hard time sleeping in a strange place (too many smells). Also bring water from home. Some dogs will not drink "strange" water...it might seem fine to you but dogs can taste/smell alot better then we can. ALWAYS clean up after your dog and walk him on "unbeaten" paths. Ask for a map (if they don't give one to you) of dog walking areas Most hotel also require you to stay on the first few floors and in smoking rooms. Some require a cleaning deposit and/or a per night fee. If you don't plan on including your dog in your daytime plans please consider leaving him at home. There is a doggie daycare in Orlando and a ton of pet sitters in the area.
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
The Universal resorts are extremely pet friendly. They do not make you crate your dog, or force you to stay in a smoking room. No hotels we've experienced have done this, and my husband and I never travel without our dog. I would just take the dog out of the room in the morning when housekeeping is present, and then come back afterwards to drop him off. Universal is very good with this... they treat pets, and their owners, like royalty! I always thought it was a lot better to bring my dog along and leave him in the hotel than to leave him boarded or with a random pet sitter. You'll be fine. Have fun!
The Universal resorts are extremely pet friendly. They do not make you crate your dog, or force you to stay in a smoking room. No hotels we've experienced have done this, and my husband and I never travel without our dog. I would just take the dog out of the room in the morning when housekeeping is present, and then come back afterwards to drop him off. Universal is very good with this... they treat pets, and their owners, like royalty! I always thought it was a lot better to bring my dog along and leave him in the hotel than to leave him boarded or with a random pet sitter. You'll be fine. Have fun!
Apparently you took offense by my comments...that was not my intention. I travel with my dog as well and I have done a great deal of reading on traveling with dogs. Many hotels do require you to stay in smoking rooms and (even as you suggested) the dog must be out of the room when house keeping comes.
As far as your comment on "random" pet sitters. I am a pet sitter and I am part of a pet sitting network. I (like most pet sitters) care about my clients as much as their owners do. I treat them like they are mine. There are many boarding options available...including a wonderful dog daycare in Orlando. Shouldn't your pet have as much fun on vacation as you do? I do cage free boarding here in Lansing. My dog goes to "doggy camp" for a week. She probably has more fun then I do! That is much more fun then sleeping in a strange hotel room.
Sorry if I offended you. I am only speaking from broad experience. I am glad you have had good luck with your pet friendly accomodations, I have as well....but I have heard from many who have not.
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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
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