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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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 have been to WDW many times, but never in Jan. I have book at room at GF in Jan 09 but I am a bit concerned about the weather (cold). Would it be better to book in March/April when I know that the weather is nicer (70's).
From what I am hearing, it really runs the gamet. Anywhere from 50s to 80s! lol We are going in Late January. But we are New Englanders so even 50s is nice.
I'm planning on Jan. 09 as well. I prefer the cooler weather because it's easier for me to tour when I'm not having heat stroke. And being from New Hampshire, anything over 60 degrees is T-shirt weather! I think you'll be ok, just bring an extra sweater.
Hi Kristie. Unless you have a real cold snap, the weather in Orlando will be chilly in the mornings and evenings and 70 to 80's in the afternoon. Since you are coming from Illinois I don't think you'll find it too cold.
Once, in 1995 I went in the middle of February and everyday the temperature only hit a high of 50 degrees. It was great, no one went to the parks.
I've been in late Jan before and the weather was perfect! Considering I'm from Upstate NY where it was in the single digits, tht 50 and 60 degree weather was a heat wave! It is a lot more comfortable then going when it is hot and humid. Been there, done that!
I have been to WDW many times, but never in Jan. I have book at room at GF in Jan 09 but I am a bit concerned about the weather (cold). Would it be better to book in March/April when I know that the weather is nicer (70's).
Thanks
Kristie
Hi,
We have been going in Jan since 2003 and we enjoy it very much. The weather can be all over the place but we are from the Boston area so even when it is cold in Orlando it has always been better than the weather that we were getting back home. It you are big into water rides then it might not be the best time for you to go but we find it a good time overall.
__________________
Tiffany,
CBR 1991,1997 - POFQ 1992,1993 - ASSports 1994,1995 - YC 1998,2000 - BWI 1999 -AKL May and Sept 2001(pool view), Jan 2005(savanna view), Jan 2006 (savanna view), Jan 2007 (savanna view)-Dolphin Aug 2002, Aug/Sept 2003, Sept 2004, Nov 2008, Dec 2008(Conf.), Jan 2010 - AKL Concierge Feb 2003, Jan 2004, Sept 2007 -CSR May 2004 - Swan June 2005, June 2006, Dec 2006, June 2007, Dec 2007, Jan 2008, June 2008, Dec 2008, Sept 2009 - POR Nov 2005, Sept 2006, WL Jan 2009, BCV June 2009
It will be cool in the morning ./ evenings, but usually fairly warm during the day. The crowd levels at the parks are very low though, so it'w worth it
One of my January trips (first week of January) was my coldest Dtrip ever - but it was totally manageable. It was cool in the am 50s - hotter in the afternoon 65-70s - and cool in the evening 50s again. It was perfect for touring the parks!
I would just wear my skirt, shorts in the am with a light jacket. Take it off mid-day and then change before dinner usually into jeans and a jacket.
All of my trips to WDW have been in January, except for this past August. We had a great trip , however due to ts fay and then the wicked heat and humidity , we will return to our Jan. trips.
We have always been lucky with temps, and we never became overly tired due to the heat.
We have been in December and February and have had nice weather each time. However, even though I am northern I found December too cold to swim. In February, my son spent hours in the pool and I was fine sitting at the pool with him. We also have a trip planned this January and August. I am much more worried about the weather in August. I really enjoy the parks at the lower attendance times.
Thanks everyone for their replies!! Jan. was my husband's idea; he is a big guy and is always hot. This will be my first time staying at the GF (we are normally at BC/YC or Swan/Dolphin). I have booked our trip, but currently waiting for AP rates to be released. Under 120 days now until the trip!!
We were there in January of this year for three days after our Disney cruise. The first two days were very warm (t-shirt and shorts), and the third day was cool (sweatshirt and jeans). I'd say pack a variety of clothes because you can have a variety of weather at that time of year.
I've been there two Januaries. During the first the temps were in the 70's/low 80's, even warm enough to go swimming. The second trip the temps were in the 60's most of the day. It was the kind of weather where we felt good in the sunshine, but a little chilly in the shade. We just packed for it and had a great time!