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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.
If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.
Hello all! I've needed to rearrange plans a bit for my 10/23-10/30 WDW trip. I've scheduled a bit more down time which has opened up some meal slots in the plan (where we were previously going to be at parks and aren't anymore).
I've wanted to try 'Ohana for approximately forever and it actually looks like I can fit it in! I'd like to go early on Thursday, 10/27, before we go to MNSSHP. Here's the problem: there are no ADRs to be found (of course) this last minute.
Do you think we would we be able to eat there without an ADR if we showed up just before they opened at 4 PM? Waiting would be absolutely fine (I could spend a lifetime at the Poly, lol) but I'd hate to show up and find that their popularity is such that you can't get a seat PERIOD without an ADR.
I never do TS without reservations, so this is new for me!
Thanks in advance!
__________________
"Why do we have to grow up? I know more adults who have the children's approach to life...They are not afraid to be delighted with simple pleasures..." --Walt Disney
I believe that even at opening Ohana can be a challenge - but if you have your heart set on it you can always try - there's still Kona Cafe or Captain Cook's nearby with other delicious food if they can't fit you in!
I doubt you'll get in 'Ohana on a MNSSHP night but perhaps. People who don't want to go into the parties early often book up the monorail resort ADR's as you likely guessed.
I agree with Maci that you could try, but I'd be surprised if you get in as hugely popular as 'Ohana is.
__________________
“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” —Winnie-the-Pooh
I would keep trying - you never know. Not to give any spoilers to those reading my TR (I won't mention any names Maci )but I was able to get not one but two unplanned for meals at the last minute. One was day of by walking up, the other I was able to get an ADR for and it only took me like a day of trying.
I would suggest that you continue to check/stalk the ADRs. Many people cancel just before the 24 hour mark due to the no show credit card charge. Perseverance seems to pay off so keep trying but make sure you have a backup plan. Another option is to utilize a reservation finder service such as the one touring plans offer. I have never done this but have seen it mentioned on the boards before. Good luck. I totally love O'hana so I totally understand wanting to dine there. I am not sure I would eat there prior to attending a party bc I feel that this meal is quite time consuming and honestly the ADR seating tends to be late. I wouldn't want to rush through my meal to get to the party.
Yes continue to stalk ADRs!! When I went in 2012 I had a really late Ohana ADR and I really wanted something earlier. Well I kept checking and just a day or two before we left I got a spot at just the right time (closer to normal dinner time). Keep at it!
__________________
I want adventure in the great wide somewhere...and coffee
Yes it can be done but you have to stalk the ADR multiple times a day.
I was able to book ohana while I was on the gangway onto the plane for the night we arrived. So go for it. Also try calling Disney dining the day of if you don't find anything before.
I think I'm going to be the lone dissenter here. I would go with skipping 'Ohana, find a nice alternative for an early lunch and save it for another time when you don't have to be somewhere else. With your party ticket you may enter MK at 4pm, experience low crowds to ride some of attractions and then focus on the MNSSHP activities once the party starts at 7pm.
Wouldn't you miss some of the party by eating dinner at Ohana? I agree with DyanKJ130. Why not find a late lunch somewhere and head to the party for 4:00pm? Kona is good if your set on the Poly.
Definitely keep trying for an ADR if you have your heart set on 'Ohana. However, I know the last time we went there, we had an ADR at opening and it was pretty chaotic there. We had quite a wait to be seated even with a booking. I can thoroughly recommend the Kona Café as an alternative?
We actually have park admission that day but have chosen not to do more than the party in the evening. Fatigue due to health things is an issue on this trip and we want to be able to stay until the end which probably wouldn't happen if we started touring at 4. We're also eating at Kona on another day because I agree, it's delicious!
I'm using the reservation finder from touring plans and I had forgotten about the cancellation policy. Hopefully I'll be able to snap up a ressie the day before. We've decided that we'll just go somewhere else in the MK area for dinner if Ohana doesn't work. Luckily my travel partner is super chill- more chill than me, to be honest- and has assured me I don't have to guarantee the exact place and time for literally every meal. This is somewhat foreign to me (lol) but a relief.
Thanks again for all the advice.
__________________
"Why do we have to grow up? I know more adults who have the children's approach to life...They are not afraid to be delighted with simple pleasures..." --Walt Disney
The GF Cafe might be a decent alternative. It's not tremendously popular, too granny/maiden aunt for many, I'm guessing.
We've not done dinner there but have had breakfast and lunch twice each. Food is very good with some creative touches. Service has sometimes been a bit less than good but nothing seriously wrong.
Since you mention fatigue issues, our MVMCP entry time worked well. We did Afternoon Tea from about 5:00 until about 7:00 and had no problem getting into the MK quickly. Main Street was mobbed with people waiting for the first parade (they start staking out spots around 3:00 for an 8:15 parade start!! )
We ducked into The Emporium and slithered out its exit closest to the Castle then crossed MSt as if headed to The Plaza Restaurant, following the "back way" through T-land to Fantasyland. Hung out there riding and shopping in hardly any crowds although I bet you won't be riding HM back-to-back as we did!
Close to time for Wishes, we slipped back over to the Hub.
Worked wonderfully, so my suggestion is "Get beyond MSt. and stay in the outlying areas until Wishes."
We found we weren't so exhausted following this gameplan.
__________________
“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” —Winnie-the-Pooh
Registered Message Board Members Get Our Free Newsletter! When you register you'll have the option to sign up for our weekly PassPorter Newsletter. It's chock-full of feature articles; news; tips; contests; photos; and special offers in our online store.
The GF Cafe might be a decent alternative. It's not tremendously popular, too granny/maiden aunt for many, I'm guessing.
We've not done dinner there but have had breakfast and lunch twice each. Food is very good with some creative touches. Service has sometimes been a bit less than good but nothing seriously wrong.
Since you mention fatigue issues, our MVMCP entry time worked well. We did Afternoon Tea from about 5:00 until about 7:00 and had no problem getting into the MK quickly. Main Street was mobbed with people waiting for the first parade (they start staking out spots around 3:00 for an 8:15 parade start!! )
We ducked into The Emporium and slithered out its exit closest to the Castle then crossed MSt as if headed to The Plaza Restaurant, following the "back way" through T-land to Fantasyland. Hung out there riding and shopping in hardly any crowds although I bet you won't be riding HM back-to-back as we did!
Close to time for Wishes, we slipped back over to the Hub.
Worked wonderfully, so my suggestion is "Get beyond MSt. and stay in the outlying areas until Wishes."
We found we weren't so exhausted following this gameplan.
Thanks for the advice! I'm usually kind of a "go go go" commando at Disney and that just isn't the right attitude for this trip. We want to see the parade but don't feel like we need spectacular seats for it. Other than that, trick or treating is a big draw and those locations are (purposefully, I believe) spread out away from the hub. So, I think we can incorporate your strategy pretty easily.
I the the GF Cafe sounds like a good back-up plan. I checked out their dinner menu and I think there are things that we would both like there.
__________________
"Why do we have to grow up? I know more adults who have the children's approach to life...They are not afraid to be delighted with simple pleasures..." --Walt Disney
another vote for the GF cafe. in my opinion, it's one of the least-appreciated dining spots on property. yes, the decor is a bit...nursing home? but the food is FANTASTIC, and the service is even better. no, the food is better. no, the service. yeah, it's a tie.
oh and as for a walk up ohana ADR: nope. not gonna happen. sorry, i'm a realist. please don't waste your valuable time. i've stalked ohana reservations on years worth of trips, and i've never scored one but for the one time i actually booked 180 days out (which to me is insane).
As others have said which we experienced also, families with younger kids do a mass exodus after Wishes (not all, of course, but the majority).
Main St. is substantially less crowded after that.
By the late parade start, we could've picked some pretty good watching spots several places along MSt. That's definitely the parade to catch for those without kids or with older kids.
However, our MVMCP experience also may not be that good a comparison since I'd guess MNSSHP encourages staying up to "the witching hour" whereas there's nowhere near as strong an association with Christmas and staying up late.
__________________
“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” —Winnie-the-Pooh
Last edited by Her Dotness; 10-19-2016 at 08:10 AM..
About This Page: 
I'd like to go early on Thursday, 10/27, before we go to MNSSHP. Here's the problem: there are no ADRs to be found (of course) this last minute. 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
)but I was able to get not one but two unplanned for meals at the last minute. One was day of by walking up, the other I was able to get an ADR for and it only took me like a day of trying.
[/url
PassPorter Guide Author
)
Linear Mode
