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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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Please tell me I am not the only one who has this.. were ready to book our trip (down payment and little bonus to put on it ) but here is my dilemma.. I want to use a TA hubby wants to go with the AAA TA. I did not like the AAA TA (something about her just did not sit well with me ) when I asked her if she would help me with ADR and such she told me she couldn't and that all she could do was give me the number or website.. ANYWAY.. what really bugging me is the fact what if I am picking the wrong dates? what if my surprise becomes a flop.. what if I am more excited then my teenagers( the 9 year old just wants to go he don't care when ) then I was thinking oh lord just shoot me.. LOL.. so this weekend while the hubby is at camp( cub scout training) I shall call the TA I was planning on going with (no still not sure who as I haven't even begun to get a quote yet from one) and next weekend on our little get away( business trip) I can convince the hubby .. any way wish me luck as I am sorry I just needed to vent ..
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Panning a Family Vacation
Feels like a kid in a candy store
awwww that's too bad that the AAA TA is not helpful! I love my AAA TA! not only did she do the bookings, keep track of payments, put together our driving routes and got the tickets to the MNSSHP, when I was totally failing at getting ADRs for BoG, she not only got them, but was able to get prime time seating for the night that we are going to the party!! I hear you about the vibe that you are feeling with that particular agent! your spidey senses are telling you it ain't right. but she can't possibly be the only AAA TA in town! try another agent! don't give up!
thank ya .. yeah i'm going to check the city next to us .. we live in a small town and their is only one AAA building . .I think the bigger city has one too but i'm not sure ..
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Panning a Family Vacation
Feels like a kid in a candy store
You are doing the right thing by questioning the travel agents to make sure they will be able to get everything done that you want. Not all of them are able to/want to get up early and book dining for their clients. Go with who you feel more comfortable with and who will give you the service you need. You can tell your hubby that just because they work for a big well know company does not mean they will meet all of your needs. Good luck
Please tell me I am not the only one who has this.. were ready to book our trip (down payment and little bonus to put on it ) but here is my dilemma.. I want to use a TA hubby wants to go with the AAA TA. I did not like the AAA TA (something about her just did not sit well with me ) when I asked her if she would help me with ADR and such she told me she couldn't and that all she could do was give me the number or website.. ANYWAY.. what really bugging me is the fact what if I am picking the wrong dates? what if my surprise becomes a flop.. what if I am more excited then my teenagers( the 9 year old just wants to go he don't care when ) then I was thinking oh lord just shoot me.. LOL.. so this weekend while the hubby is at camp( cub scout training) I shall call the TA I was planning on going with (no still not sure who as I haven't even begun to get a quote yet from one) and next weekend on our little get away( business trip) I can convince the hubby .. any way wish me luck as I am sorry I just needed to vent ..
I went with AAA TA few years ago. We were going to celebrate my dd turning 3. I had to find out (from these boards) that for Disney since my daughter was 2 at the beginning of the trip she would get in the parks free the entire trip. I specifically asked about this since she was free for 2 days. I had already purchased a multi-day ticket (non refundable). She apologized but in the end if she was not sure, she should have said she would check and get back to me. Cost me a fair amount of money and only when I pushed the issue did they offer to give me a year membership at no cost. In the end, it was resolved but it should not have happened. Go with your gut and go with the most experienced IMO.
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If you know what you want, why not book it yourself and have control over your reservation? Will that make you feel better? I would not go with that AAA TA by any means.
[...]. I did not like the AAA TA (something about her just did not sit well with me ) when I asked her if she would help me with ADR and such she told me she couldn't and that all she could do was give me the number or website..
Right there, that's a reason to find a new TA. The AAA woman isn't doing her job, which is to help you with all aspects of booking your vacation. ADRs definitely fall under that heading, in my book.
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what if I am picking the wrong dates? what if my surprise becomes a flop.. what if I am more excited then my teenagers( the 9 year old just wants to go he don't care when )
Hakuna Matata.
No, seriously. You know your nine year old will be overjoyed - if your teenagers want to be sticks-in-the-mud, let 'em. Be happy for you.
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I shall call the TA I was planning on going with (no still not sure who as I haven't even begun to get a quote yet from one)
Fun fact: you don't pay your TA, not one thin dime. Barring the occasional TA who's more savvy than most about discounts and such, your vacation will cost the same no matter which one you bring it to.
TAs are paid a commission on the cost to you, and it's the destination that pays them.
You know your family, of course, but your mentioning that you have teenagers who may not enjoy this trip set off alarms in my head. Teenagers can be great at dragging their feet, sulking and ruining such an expensive surprise for everyone if they decide Disney is for babies and they're much too mature to enjoy it.
What about involving them in the planning by emphasizing that they're almost-adults, and you need their advice? They may have some great ideas for things they could do with your 9-year-old to give you and your husband a break as well as for things they're willing to do as a family. Including them could also give them important training for trip planning once they're on their own. Plus, they're less likely to react badly to the trip if given input on what they would enjoy doing.
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“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” —Winnie-the-Pooh
We had a similar problem with our AAA agent. The first agent was fine, but the one we got the following year copped an attitude when I needed to move our reservation by a couple of days (this was still more than four months out). She said it was impossible and I told her I knew they had availability, and if she wouldn't do it, to cancel the whole thing and I would rebook myself. Needless to say, for our next trip, we changed to a Disney specialist, one who had earned her Earmark. We've been happily booking with her for six trips, and we don't pay a thing for her help, including getting TS ADRs.
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You know your family, of course, but your mentioning that you have teenagers who may not enjoy this trip set off alarms in my head. Teenagers can be great at dragging their feet, sulking and ruining such an expensive surprise for everyone if they decide Disney is for babies and they're much too mature to enjoy it.
What about involving them in the planning by emphasizing that they're almost-adults, and you need their advice? They may have some great ideas for things they could do with your 9-year-old to give you and your husband a break as well as for things they're willing to do as a family. Including them could also give them important training for trip planning once they're on their own. Plus, they're less likely to react badly to the trip if given input on what they would enjoy doing.
I absolutely agree with this. Be sure you order the free planning DVD from Disney's site (and do you have a PassPorter? Essential!). There is so much for teens to do at WDW, not just in the parks, but at DTD with Splitsville and Disney Quest or even some of the boating activities. If they are old enough, they can plan their own park days, head off with some cash for food and a cell phone, and enjoy riding and reriding the thrill rides. They would get to be heroes to the 9 year old on if they take him/her on some of the more exciting rides, while giving you and your husband some time to just sit with a coffee/adult beverage and enjoy the peaceful view. Here's a link to a podcast on the subject: http://www.passporter.com/podcast/pa...st11242010.php
What about involving [the teenagers] in the planning by emphasizing that they're almost-adults, and you need their advice?
That's a good idea - especially if you make an effort to find attractions they might specifically enjoy.
Their ages would also factor into this; if they're both 13-14, you'll want to keep them close - but if your kids are 16, 17, or older (and you think they'd behave themselves reasonably-well), you could let them go off on their own for part of each day; for example, let them get another go or two at a thrill ride they enjoyed, while you take the nine year old to meet a character the older kids aren't interested in.
That also factors into the possibility of getting some "just the adults" time in.
thank ya all.. yeah I hope to keep it a surprise for all the kids that we are going but I also know that my oldest daughter does not do well with telling her were doing one thing then surprising her and doing something else.. so I just might have to let her in on the secret .. I would gladly do it all myself but I am a little afraid I don't know enough to do it myself.. I have been trying to read my older passporters for tips and all the info I can on the boards.. I am sure it will all work out .. happy planning to all and thank you also to all who have responded
__________________
Panning a Family Vacation
Feels like a kid in a candy store
I would only use a TA who specializes in Disney Vacations to book at Disney trip! There are several really good ones--who don't charge you anything to book your trip--they will make all of your reservations--hotels and dining and you don't need to worry about a thing, plus they are always flexible with changes! Take a look at Mouse Fan Travel or Small World Vacations!
thank ya all.. yeah I hope to keep it a surprise for all the kids that we are going but I also know that my oldest daughter does not do well with telling her were doing one thing then surprising her and doing something else.. so I just might have to let her in on the secret .
Ah, yes, an older kid's literal thinking. "BUT, you said we were going to Timbuktu! You LIED TO US! I hate you!"
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I would gladly do it all myself but I am a little afraid I don't know enough to do it myself..
You just gave yourself an excellent reason for involving your oldest daughter in the planning, seems to me. Hand her your stack of PassPorters and step back but for the final yes or no. You may well find she is eager to take the burden off you.
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“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” —Winnie-the-Pooh
I would caution you about the "surprise" aspect of the trip. There are commercials out there that where parents surprise the kids in the car, at the airport, etc. and it all looks so wonderful and the kids are all pleased beyond words and excited and jumping up and down. Life isn't always like that -some times people need time to process information and while they may very well be pleased about going on a trip, their immediate reaction may not show it.
If you are worried that you might not get the reaction you are hoping for (and it sounds like you are), consider doing it a different way. Surprise them, but well before the fact. Do a reveal during a family dinner one night (order pizza and spell out "We're Going To Disney" in pepperoni on top), or at Christmas (if there is enough time before your trip)-have them open a big box full of balloons that float up and pull out a "We're Going to Disney" banner. Plan a big reveal, but make sure there is time for everybody to have a little time to decide what they want to do and have at least some input into your plans.
As for TA's, I consulted a AAA agent before our first family trip which we booked about 4 months out. She told me it was too early to book a trip (very incorrect). I tried to correct her, but she wouldn't even listen to me. Big red flag there! I politely said "Thank you" and hung up. I ended up booking the trip myself. I would only consider a Disney Travel Specialist, and then I would be sure that you feel comfortable with whomever you choose.
We have booked many trips in the past ourselves and for some reason chose to go with TA from AAA this last trip which went okay although we will go back to planning everything ourselves. If you are feeling you need help with the planning certainly look for a TA that specializes in Disney. I have known a number of people who have gone through Mouse Fan Travel and have been very happy then again there are other TA's on these boards that could also help you I am sure. Good luck and enjoy the process and your trip!
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