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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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.

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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!

Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!

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Old 06-04-2016, 01:03 AM   #1
tcmary
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Graduation, Good Health & Giggles Galore

I should be sleeping. I am about to embark on an adventure I never expected. Seriously, the bus pulls out at 4 am and I am wide awake.

I was super fortunate to be invited as the only parent chaperone on my DS's Senior Class trip. Don't ask me how I received this honor as I really don't know. I joke that it was the 20 years of room mother stint I did. Of course I said yes.

The good health part is that I experienced an unexpected medical situation which sent me for a loop. My son's graduation and this trip kept me fighting. Finally, feeling alive and well, I am moving forward and happy for my health.

My niece is now an official Florida resident. She graduated college in May and was offered a teaching position while student teaching. She will be meeting us at the hotel.

So, graduations, good health and lots of giggles. We're ready for fun.

My DS has been to the world 4 times, my niece too many times to count. They are like siblings, have the best time together and have been raised with a lot of Irish humor. DS is traveling in his Hawaiin shirt, bright green Croc's and Pluto hat. At 6'3", I know he will stand out like a sore thumb, but hey, he has the confidence to pull it off.

He is not in the group of kids I am responsible for, but he insists I hang with him and his friends. Probably because he learned I booked my own fast passes and meals and was ready to go have fun. The kids have to check in with chaperones with photos throughout the day.

Originally, these kids thought they would wing it. That makes me cringe, yet I didn't want to butt in and tell him what to do. I am a planner and love the big a$$ spread sheets. He knows that. He forgot we always travel during the off season. Yes, I am of the opinion that dragging them from school, kicking and screaming, to travel with family, makes them better people. He's graduating with honors, so I did something right. Big brother, little sis, Dad and the grandparents are all at home this trip.

One of his friends works for me, and when she learned I had my trip totally set, she texted DS and asked could they drop from the big group, let me set up the fast passes and go with a plan. He asked me if the 2 of them could get on board. While they squashed my solo dreams, i was thrilled. Then along came my niece, then 2 more friends, and so on and so on. We are leaving tomorr....today. Home Tuesday night. Saturday and Sunday in Disney, Monday Universal, Tuesday Disney Springs then home.
My solo reservation Sunday night for dinner has turned into 14. I feel like the pied piper.

Now, I am not a fan of the heat, nor standing online to meet characters, so I plan character meals as a way to relax, cool down and meet my Disney Pals. My merry band of travelers consists of 2 never evers and one who has no recollection of her only trip. DS is beyond excited to show these kids the commando way to travel. Go big or stay home is our motto.

We have the following reservations: Lunch Saturday at Akershus with the princesses. This is where he fell in love with Jasmine. Late dinner at Tusker House. He pointed out to Daisy Duck she had toilet paper on her heel. She was embarrassed but gave him a kiss to thank him. Then he was embarrassed. Breakfast Sunday at Chef Mickey's. 7am.......yikes. No, we will be there.We have a rope drop to make. Lunch at Crystal Palace as I must see Eeyore! Finishing with Trails End Dinner Sunday night. However, DS wants a reservation at 1900 Park Fair to introduce his friends to the step mother and sisters. If I can manage that it will be a miracle!

Lights out.....someone needs to be up in an hour.
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Old 06-04-2016, 09:09 AM   #2
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We made it to school before 3:45. The kids were all excited and ready. Except for one boy, he wouldn't answer his phone . At 4:10 we left the boy behind.

We arrived at the airport at 5:15 and quickly made it through the Tsa Line. 57 people we breezed thru inj 20 nimutrs. Over an hour to kill, but this is a great start.
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Old 06-04-2016, 09:21 AM   #3
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This going to be great! You are going to help these kids have a fantastic time! Too bad for sleepyhead. Has anyone heard from him? Hope you manage a bit of rest on the bus and congrats for being able to make the trip!
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Old 06-04-2016, 03:57 PM   #4
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Nice start to the TR and looking forward to how it unfolds! Too bad for the kid who missed the bus. I'd feel so embarrassed! I'm sure his parents aren't thrilled with him at the moment! I hope there will be plenty of photos!
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Old 06-04-2016, 04:58 PM   #5
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Sounds like you'll have a great time! I can't believe the kid missed the bus!
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Old 06-04-2016, 10:56 PM   #6
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Yay! You're going to Disney and we get to read along! Can't wait to see how your entourage likes the commando touring.
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Old 06-04-2016, 11:56 PM   #7
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Sounds like this is going to be an excellent trip and I can't wait to read all about it. Good for you adapting your plans to include all these kids...they will always have these memories that you helped make happen - such a great mom. Hope you get some rest on the plane.
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Old 06-04-2016, 11:58 PM   #8
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I hope the kid who missed the bus was already waiting at the airport-lol...Who could be late for a Disney trip?
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Old 06-05-2016, 01:51 AM   #9
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Great start! I cannot believe you had to leave one behind!
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Old 06-05-2016, 04:53 PM   #10
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Signing on and can't wait to hear more!
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Old 06-06-2016, 08:33 AM   #11
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Great start!!
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Old 06-06-2016, 10:02 AM   #12
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OH no missed the bus.. Well i hope you have an AWESOME SAUCE time
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Old 06-06-2016, 10:33 AM   #13
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Sounds like you have a magical attitude and are all ready to do Disney in style.

That everyone has a fantastic time and appreciates your efforts to insure they do.
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Old 06-06-2016, 12:57 PM   #14
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Did the boy who missed the bus end up making it? Can't wait to hear more!!
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Old 06-06-2016, 01:53 PM   #15
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Can't wait to hear all about the trip!
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