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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.
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In Shazza's live trip report she discusses the Food & Wine Premium Package, with pictures of what's included. We did purchase the package & were originally unsure about spending so much money. After today, I can honestly say, best $200. per person I have spent on an add on package. Today's heat factor was in the 90's & having the ability to stand in shade as someone else went & got our food was great. We are from Southern California & are not use to the humidity. This was day 1 of our 4 day package. The cast members were so happy to see people, a few times we walked past & they came out & told us where they were located. Some areas also had chairs & benches. My understanding is they have added more umbrellas to the areas too.
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Last edited by Shari2137; 10-13-2014 at 03:22 PM..
Shari - great to hear the package worked for you. They were discussing umbrellas when we were there, and that would be a nice addition for the areas with no shade.
Out of curiosity, when did you purchase the package? Did you go to the after hours party too?
We purchased the package about a week before our trip. We did attend the after hours party on Thursday, 10/16. We enjoyed our time at the party, you are able to get 6 food items and 1 glow cup with a drink. The crowds were minimal and hardly any lines, we were informed beforehand of which booths were included, so we made sure not to eat at those booths earlier in the day. There was a DJ in one area with dancing, live music in two other areas. We left Epcot about 11:30 that night and walked out of the park without anyone else around, was able to take lots of photos on the way out. We met one couple earlier in the day, who had just purchased their package that day, I would not recommend purchasing the package for just one day. It was nice to go over each day (Mon - Thurs) and hit 3-4 areas.
We purchased the package about a week before our trip. We did attend the after hours party on Thursday, 10/16. We met one couple earlier in the day, who had just purchased their package that day, I would not recommend purchasing the package for just one day. It was nice to go over each day (Mon - Thurs) and hit 3-4 areas.
We were there the same week you were. I tried getting the package the week before we left, but I was told there was no availability. I even tried just buying tickets to the After Party, but still no luck. I'm upset that someone was able to purchase it while they were already there.
While we were walking around, there didn't seem to be many people using the reserved areas, so I'm a little surprised that the Package was "unavailable". However, the cast members I talked to while trying to purchase the Package, didn't really seem to know what I was talking about. I'm happy for you that you were able to make use of it. Next year, if they still have the program, maybe I'll try to get it earlier.
I bought the premium package and thought it was worth it just for the reserved areas with the tables and the "runners" to get your food.
I also went to the after hours party - parts of it were strange - entertainment was people dancing and using glow in the dark whips? but I really enjoyed the special drink, the booths and the Martini (?) band in the building. It was great to sit down in there, have a few drinks and listen to them.
I would book this again for sure.
Oh and I was asked to do a survey when exiting one of the reserved areas - I recommended umbrellas at the tables and some seating. Although 2 of the reserved areas had ledges you could sit on which I did. LOL
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
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