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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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My family and I will be going to Disneyland the week after Thanksgiving. This will be our baby's first trip (11 mos). I was wondering people's opinions on the baby going on POTC, Nemo Subs and HM? I know that he will be unable to do the mountains and Indy but have not found anything specifically stating that he can't go on these three rides. Does anyone have any thoughts on the sutability of taking a baby on the rides mentioned? Our older child will be doing the parent swap angle for the big kid rides. If you have a link that says what's safe/ not safe I would appreciate it. I will reread my passporter as well for any insight. Thanks all.
Personally, I would not do it. With a baby, you just never know when they are going to start crying and you can't console them. Then it might end up ruining the ride for everyone else in your surrounding area. JMO. I think the baby swap would be a good idea on these rides, too.
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*~*Tina
Picking up our Brasilian exchange student at the a/p
I agree with Tina. Pirates and Haunted Mansion are dark, noisy and have plenty of elements that would frighten a little one. Pirates has a waterfall drop, another element that potentially will scare you little one, not to mention you'll will have to hang on tightly to him, as well as try to hang on yourself. Baby Swap is your best option for these rides as well, IMHO.
We took our DD on her first trip when she was 11 months also. She went to everyride with us with the expection of the ones with height restrictions. She them all. She even fell alseep on POTC. She also went on them when she was 22 months old and still loved them. She will be 1 month shy of 3 this time and we will take her again on them. Although my DD6 does not like the HM.
We took DD to Disneyland when she was 15 months and we took her on POTC and HM (Nemo was under construction) and she did very well on them. You do have to hold on tight for the drops on POTC, I found that using a sling worked well for that extra security though. She rode anything that didn't have a height restriction and loved it all. Our older DD rode everything (that didn't have height restrictions) at WDW at 9 months with no problems.
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My Happy Place
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"When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable." ~ Walt Disney
My kids really didn't become frightened by rides until they were much older. I think you know your baby best. If your little one is okay with new things, and the noise, motion and other stimulation, I don't see any reason not to. Nemo is gentle ride-wise with a few fishies popping out, but I wouldn't hesitate to take a baby along. The baby sitting down the row from us just loved it!
My sincere opinion is not to take them. I have been noticing news of children from 12 years old and down that either die of being afraid or something in the brain not yet developed. Sometimes is the heart. I would rather be in the side of being cautious than having a tragedy.
the thing is... there are things internally that parents might not be aware of and can surface one the child in in the situation. I remember the 4 year old that rode Mission space and the report said he went limp and could not be brought back. The ride was just few minutes and there was no previous problems, there is a lot there but also common sense and not knowing how the child will react. In some cases is ok, in others might not be, i will rather err on the side of caution. Do a google search on Rides-Children and few stories will come up. Wish you the best.
Shaking them can be dangerous. We took our nieces in december and they were so afraid of one ride that we decided not to take them. did not want our trip to be tragic so we did other things instead. When they are older and can know how far to go they can do it.
It looks like I chose a topic with a lot of thoughts on both sides of the fence. Of course, I would never want to put my child in jeopardy. I have seen many children this young or younger on rides but do tend to err on the cautious side. However, from the majority of what I have been reading, most of the tragic situations occur when parents disregard the posted suggestions (ie a 4 year old riding Mission Space when it is intended for an older child). I was looking for people's opinions and feel I received both sides of the issue. It doesn't make my wife and my decision easier but I do appreciate all who have voiced their thoughts on the issue. I suspect we will try him out on some of the lighter rides and see how he reacts. If he shows any fear, we will pull back-- however, if he is enjoying it, we will probably try some of the rides I inquired about. I have no problem with not going on a certain ride if it is dangerous or too scary for him. Thanks again to all who provided comments.
Not to sound mean or anything but, it is beyond me why anyone would want to take an infant to DL. I purposely waited until my kids were older to take them to DL and I am so glad I did. More on this in my upcoming TR.
Not to sound mean or anything but, it is beyond me why anyone would want to take an infant to DL. I purposely waited until my kids were older to take them to DL and I am so glad I did. More on this in my upcoming TR.
I think it's just personal preference, honestly. I, personally, wouldn't hesitate to take an infant. Sure, there might be some rides we can't do or may have to switch off on and, of course, the baby wouldn't remember any of the trip, but I'm not going to NOT vacation where I enjoy going just because I have a baby. Just my preference, though.
My sincere opinion is not to take them. I have been noticing news of children from 12 years old and down that either die of being afraid or something in the brain not yet developed. Sometimes is the heart. I would rather be in the side of being cautious than having a tragedy.
the thing is... there are things internally that parents might not be aware of and can surface one the child in in the situation. I remember the 4 year old that rode Mission space and the report said he went limp and could not be brought back. The ride was just few minutes and there was no previous problems, there is a lot there but also common sense and not knowing how the child will react. In some cases is ok, in others might not be, i will rather err on the side of caution. Do a google search on Rides-Children and few stories will come up. Wish you the best.
Shaking them can be dangerous. We took our nieces in december and they were so afraid of one ride that we decided not to take them. did not want our trip to be tragic so we did other things instead. When they are older and can know how far to go they can do it.
Um, wow. Not sure what to say about this comment. There are adults who have died on rides as well so maybe there shouldn't be amusement parks or rides at all. Sorry if that sounds extreme, just trying to make sense of your logic.
The rides the OP mentioned are not violent, shaking or thrill types of rides. We have many friends that live near DL and have been taking their kids since they were very young, one had his first trip at 18 days old and went on POTC as well as Fantasyland rides with no problem.
I have heard many people make the argument that there is no reason to take an infant to DL because they wont remember. But the rest of the family will remember that a part of their family wasn't there for the trip. All the pics will have only part of your family in them. And personally, I believe that a one year old does remember things they do at this age. It's been proven that kids that young recognize and smile at a pic of Mickey Mouse.............oh, and the Golden Arches of McDonalds.
Hmmm. In response to the question on why one would take a child to Disneyland, the reason we are doing so is for the whole family atmosphere. My wife and I became a couple in Disneyland in 1996. We were married in 1998. We took our older son in 2005 and 2006. According to the doctor, the second child (the infant on this trip) was conceived on this second trip. Disneyland has been a key part of many of my family's key moments. We enjoy the park and want the memories . The trip is for the family and since baby is part of this family he is going with us. I appreciate the feedback but where one part of the family goes on vacation we all go. Of course there will be challenges with parent swaps, forgoing some rides as a family but its all worth it. My only regret was waiting until my older son was 6 before taking him. When I saw him trying things for the first time and expanding his comfort zone it was awesome. Thanks again to all.
I whole heartedly argree; this is a personal decision, and of course you will do what is right for you and your family! I believe that with baby swap (when needed) you and your family will have a wonderful and memorable time! Happy Planning!
Casey, I think you have a great story behind your trip! You'll be able to judge baby's feelings on the rides best once you get there and I think your idea of taking him on some of the light rides and seeing how he does is great!
Have a great time planning and ENJOY the trip with baby!
My family and I will be going to Disneyland the week after Thanksgiving. This will be our baby's first trip (11 mos). I was wondering people's opinions on the baby going on POTC, Nemo Subs and HM? I know that he will be unable to do the mountains and Indy but have not found anything specifically stating that he can't go on these three rides. Does anyone have any thoughts on the sutability of taking a baby on the rides mentioned? Our older child will be doing the parent swap angle for the big kid rides. If you have a link that says what's safe/ not safe I would appreciate it. I will reread my passporter as well for any insight. Thanks all.
I've done Pirates and HM with an infant it was fine. (nemo wasn't open) I have also done Small world Pooh and various other dark rides. Think he fell asleep on HM