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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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Well, inspired by Amy, aka Buffalogirl...I've decided to do my first PTR! We've got 6 weeks to go, 2 1/2 weeks until my husband returns from 6 months in Afghanistan and I'm on pins and needles waiting for all of this to happen. Plus, I'm trying to squash desires for snacking while the kiddos are napping!
Dates:
March 2, 2010-March 9, 2010
Locations/Reservations:
Disney's Wilderness Lodge
7 Day MYW, no DDP this time
Characters:
Scott-my wonderful husband (34 tomorrow--yikes!)
Me (28)
Emily-our daugher (4 1/2)
Logan-our son (3 1/2)
Papa John-my father-in-law (63-ish?)
Grandma Nancy-my mother-in-law (61-ish?)
Flights:
SW leave MCI 8:20 am CST-arrive at MCO 12:05 pm EST
SW leave MCO 3:30 pm EST-arrive at MCI 5:35 pm CST
My husband left for Afghanistan on August 5, 2009. I knew right away that what I needed to do to escape from certain realities that come with this situation was plan a trip to my favorite place!
Everything was sort of up-in-the-air as far as dates and where we'd stay, until I got a phone call from my husband, who said, "You know...when I come home, all I really want to do is take my family back to Disney World." Yay! For two reasons, we get to go back AND I'm pretty sure that means my husband is turning into a closet Dis-nerd (his affectionate term for me). I spent the next few weeks developing my Disney trip scenario binder that included various trip dates, ticket options, dining, and resorts. (no wonder he calls me a nerd!)
We really enjoyed the resort feel of our CBR vacation versus the All Stars...so we knew we'd prefer a moderate resort. Port Orleans (both of them) was a huge contendor. With so many options out there, we didn't want to stay at CBR again and really liked the idea of the boat to DTD. Then...on September 28, 2009 the "buy 4, get 3" deal came out. I gave my husband some quotes and he very quickly said, "Wilderness Lodge, it is...we deserve to reward ourselves and our family for surviving this." I did not put up a fight. We're an outdoorsy sort of family and with the kids so little, MK is our park of choice, so it really just lined up well.
One phone call to my mother-in-law and they were booked within 20 minutes! They also joined us on our trip last April and she has turned their spare bedroom into a "Mickey room"...using the grandkids as an excuse, but I'm fairly certain that it's just as much for her. I'm really looking forward to having them there to free Scott and I for some nights on our own. I always feel lost without a stroller in front of me...but I get used to it quickly!
Many phone calls were spent with my husband trying to cram in as much planning as we could. I certainly am the planner of the family, but I really wanted to make sure he was okay with everything. Although, from living in a plywood shack in Afghanistan to a deluxe Disney hotel...I think he'll be just fine.
We went back and forth with the dining plan. We had free dining on our first trip, so, hey...free is great. No reason to complain there. However, we lost steam about half way into the trip and no way did I want to deal with "having" to be somewhere at a certain time. We had definitely entered the phase of our vacation where the pool was more appealing. And, the kids were young...sit down meals are always more of a chore just because you have to entertain. So we ended up using our last few TS credits for QS...and because it was free...no big deal.
On our next trip, with that memory of walking to the concierge desk, all hot and sweaty and exhausted fresh in my mind...we did the opposite. No ADR's at all. What looked like variety at the CBR foodcourt at the beginning of the week, quickly became bland. We did do one TS at Fulton's with the in-law's...and we will back.
So, not being perfectly happy with either of those options, we've decided to go middle of the road, with an ADR about every other day. Using the menus from allears, I made rough estimates of cost differences. They're not direct comparisons as I know we won't get desserts at all restaurants and if we had any intention of using ALL the TS credits, it would be a good deal, but I figured that our snack credits would have to average about $5.71/each to break even. So...out of pocket we are. Now that I'm writing this, I realize I didn't do the math for the QS plan...maybe I should look into that.
A few things are still up in the air. I think I need to do more like a "buy 8, get 6" deal to fit it all in.
I'm counting this day as the start of our vacation, since we have to leave home this day.
We live about 20 minutes from the Omaha airport, however, by driving 2 1/2 hours south to Kansas City, we were able to save about $450 on airfare.
The original plan was to get a later flight so that we could drive to KC that day, but well...I'd be a nervous wreck on the way down, worrying about car troubles or traffic. So, we decided to get a hotel...at which point I questioned if driving to KC would be worth it, gas, mileage, time in the car, plus parking and hotel fees. But, MIL and FIL decided they would be paying for our hotel room and that made the decision quite simple.
I'm really not certain where we are staying, but, hey...it's free. We did this last year and just enjoyed the hotel pool and went out to dinner. Our flight the next day wasn't until 1 pm...so I spent the morning pacing the hotel room with butterflies in my tummy. Hated that...another reason I went for an early departure flight!
Our flight leaves MCI at 8:20 am. Which means we should be there by 6:20 am. Which means we need to leave the hotel by 6:00 am. Which means we need to be up by at least 5 am. However, being the mommy that I am...so much work to get two kids ready, plus packing everything, I'm thinking 4 or 4:30 am for me!
The kids got Leapsters for Christmas and they LOVE them! So, the plan is to surprise them with new games on the airplane and hope all goes well. At 3 1/2 and 4 1/2, those baby temper tantrum days are over...so all should go well. Fingers crossed and I'm hoping that I didn't just jinx us!
We are due to arrive in Orlando at 12:05 pm. I'm hoping this will get us at the WL by 1:30 or 2pm.
I'm hoping the kids get some naps in on the plane...that would be wonderful, if not, I'm going to try and get them to nap when we get to the hotel. We're pretty regimented at home and afternoon naps are essential...but realistically, I'm thinking by the time we all get settled and even to the point where they can lie down for a nap, it'll be getting a little bit too late and then interfere with bedtimes. And, I'm guessing that their excitement level is going to be QUITE high!
Assuming that everyone is in good spirits and up for it, I really want to venture off to the MK for a few hours that night. I'm really looking forward to the boat ride. My son is obsessed with the monorail, and I noticed from a video that the WL boat travels underneath the monorail, near the Contemporary. I think he is going to love this!
We had a bit of a Mickey ice cream fiasco last year. Somehow, we didn't get around to Mickey ice creams until the end of our trip. And wouldn't you know it, the CBR food court was OUT OF MICKEY ICE CREAMS! So, my husband waited for an hour to get them for the kids. Logan was so excited, he went running into grandpa's room to show him and ran right into the bed...squishing Mickey beyond recognition. Needless to say, it was rather traumatizing. Lesson learned. Mickey ice creams first thing...or heck, everyday.
For dinner, no ADR's. I don't want to be rushed and concerned should we have any travel issues. So, we're going to try Casey's Corner and then ice cream at the Main Street/Plaza Ice Cream Parlor. The plan is to sit back and just enjoy being at the MK.
Then, I'm thinking I could twist some arms into a ride on It's a Small World...maybe Splash Mountain if the lines are okay. Touring Plans is giving this day a "4," so I'm hoping that lines will be reasonable.
I want to be back to the hotel by 6:30 or 7 to get everyone cleaned and in bed early!
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I'm so glad I found your PTR! We went on a "Welcome Home" trip last spring when DH got home from 6 months in Afghanistan, and it was one of our favorite WDW vacations ever because we were just so happy to have him back with us! Your plans sound great so far. I can't wait to hear the rest.
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Our first full day at Disney! The plan for today is to go to Epcot, making every attempt to be at the bus stop at 8 am for a 9 am opening. I was such a stickler for making sure everyone knew about this last trip and wouldn't ya know it, I was always the last one out the door!
The plan is to make a bee line for Soarin'! We all love it and I've tried to brainwash the kids into liking it...pointing it out on the planning DVD's and listening to the music in the car. I think my efforts are working, they seem to be game for trying it. Emily is measuring nearly 41", so not too worried there...Logan, however, is at about 39 7/8". I have some concerns, but I think he's in the middle of a growth spurt now (fingers crossed!). It'll be close! I'll be so sad to see him sad if he can't go on things with us. One of my earliest Disney memories is waiting with my mom while my big brother and big sister went on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad without me. Not fun.
Other than that, I have no touring plans. Other than Soarin' and Spaceship Earth, there aren't really any other "must do's" for us. So, we'll just leisurely explore...until...
12:20 pm ADR for Le Cellier!
Can you tell that I am just a wee bit excited for this? So many rave reviews...not to mention I worked for HOURS on October 23 (?), when they opened the ADR window to 180 days, to score them. The lunch menu isn't quite as appealing, but I'm still hoping it meets expectations. If not, I adore Canada...well, Niagara Falls and Toronto are the extent of my Canadian experiences...but I remember them fondly. And I love moose...the animal, not so much the dessert...but enough so that I can't resist a dessert that looks like a moose.
After lunch, back to the WL. Kids will nap with grandpa and grandma while mommy and daddy sneak away for our designated "Scott and Kellie night" Woohoo!
Currently, we have a 7:35 pm ADR for the Rose and Crown Dining Room. My hope was to get an outside table and watch Illuminations, which neither of us has ever seen because we just don't stay out that late with the little kids.
We're reconsidering this and leaning more towards snacking throughout the WS...with a hearty serving of Grand Marnier Orange Slush's for me! I'm not normally a drinker...but, well, I find this one hard to resist. I like the idea of a calm meal without children...but, neither of us like to sit around on vacation and we already have lunch at Le Cellier. My husband has been around lots of cultures and really enjoys trying new things...so I think it's looking like we'll cancel our ADR.
I've also never ventured to the Boardwalk and I have a hunch that I'll find it much more enjoyable if it is done without children!
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We're an outdoorsy sort of family and with the kids so little, MK is our park of choice, so it really just lined up well.
I'm really looking forward to having them there to free Scott and I for some nights on our own. I always feel lost without a stroller in front of me...but I get used to it quickly! 
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However, being the mommy that I am...so much work to get two kids ready, plus packing everything, I'm thinking 4 or 4:30 am for me! 
Susan
Deb
PassPorter Guide Author
Dreams, Wishes, Hopes... these are the parts of childhood we should never lose.
One of my earliest Disney memories is waiting with my mom while my big brother and big sister went on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad without me. Not fun.
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