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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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.
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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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So we are contemplating going to DLP in early August of 2018. I've downloaded the book, but I'm looking for suggestions.
In particular:
1. Which hotel (cannot afford the Disneyland Hotel), so I'll need alternative suggestions.
2. Best places to eat and also, half-board or full-board? I'm trying to get an understanding of the different plans.
3. How many days?
4. Anything else you'd like to share?
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Hi!
We're going for the DLP Half marathon in one more month! I've done some research and can at least advise that the Sequoia Lodge gets consistently good reviews. We'll be staying there, so I'll let you know! I've been told it's a cross between a WDW moderate and deluxe, but more on the moderate end. So I'm OK with that.
I've also read that the Cheyenne and Santa Fe are more like WDW values and really it's much more worth it to at least go Sequoia if not one of the others. Newport Bay looks fantastic to me, and if I'm ever lucky enough to get back there, I think that'd be my choice.
We're not doing any food plans at all and have read that the food quality and selection is average within the parks. And expensive. So we may be doing a lot of Earl of Sandwich! Chez Remy Bistrot is our one celebratory meal, plus we'll be doing the buffet at our hotel one night as well (and meeting Sabine - can't wait!)
Due to our races and our schedules at home, we'll only be there for 4 nights, 3 of which we have park tickets for, and our first day will likely only be a few hours due to arrival and the race particulars on that day. Hopefully it's enough, or I'll just have to go back again someday....
I also have expectations of rude guests, that smoke wherever they want, and CM's who don't care much. So I'm setting that bar low and if it's better than that, well that'll be good then!
I can't help you much since I haven't gone yet, but that's what I know! Hopefully Sabine or Cheryl will pop on here and answer more when she can!
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Tanya
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1. Which hotel (cannot afford the Disneyland Hotel), so I'll need alternative suggestions.
We're fortunate enough to be Disney Vacation Club members and have used our points to solely stay at the Disneyland Hotel for our last few visits, so our experience with the other resort hotels is now limited. I can tell we used our points for members of our family who stayed at the New York Hotel and they were very happy there. I've also heard good things about Sequoia Lodge and much better things about the Newport Bay following its renovation.
Remember although the Sequoia Lodge looks like the Wilderness Lodge and the Newport Bay looks like the Beach/Yacht Club, they're not truly deluxe resorts, more like moderates, so do keep your expectations in check. That was our problem when we first stayed at the Newport Bay. We expected a deluxe resort and didn't get one, which did impact on our stay somewhat.
2. Best places to eat and also, half-board or full-board? I'm trying to get an understanding of the different plans.
Again, tough for me to answer personally, as we don't get full- or half-board when we use our DVC points. I don’t know how much of a saving they really represent these days and if I’m being really honest, the standard of food at table service restaurants has always been a disappointment to us, especially considering this is France. We’ve only had a few stand-out meals over the years (Walt’s, Chez Remy and Innoventions immediately spring to mind and I cannot recommend the Buffalo Bill show highly enough – so much fun and the food was good for a dining show. 3. How many days?
I always say a minimum of three days for a first timer, then think about what else you want to see. Do you want to spend time in Paris itself? If so, you probably want a couple of days for that and of course London is just a short hop away and that’s another two or three days minimum…
4. Anything else you'd like to share?
I think Tanya’s warned you about the most common problems we find with Disneyland Paris. We also always go with low expectations, and then we come back pleasantly surprised. The last time we were there, we had horrendous problems with bad behaviour from park guests as we waited for the afternoon parade.
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Thanks to both of you for responding. This will be for my 50th birthday and I just don't know if I want this less than magical experience for that milestone.
Thanks to both of you for responding. This will be for my 50th birthday and I just don't know if I want this less than magical experience for that milestone.
It is hard for me to say, as Disneyland Paris is pretty much on our doorstep, which means we go fairly often - nowhere near as often as I'd like though, as it's just so darned pricey. Anyone who lives over here and asks me if they should go to Disneyland Paris or Walt Disney World, I always tell them to save up for Florida, as to me, Disneyland Paris, is a pale comparison.
However, you have to balance that with the fact that a lot of people from the States come over and absolutely love the park, especially the castle, but I'd rather be honest with people, as along with the positives, they often say to me "gosh, you were right about the rude guests and the smoking", which is something of a shock after the American parks.
deciding what to do - do you have any other options?
deciding what to do - do you have any other options?
Since I have asthma, the issue with the smoking will really put a damper on the trip, although I am still considering it. My daughter would really love to see Paris, and we both really do want to experience one of the other parks (we've only been to WDW and DL). Just questioning whether this is the right trip to try it on.
Yes, we can go to WDW in Florida, but since its the beginning of August, I was thinking it might be awfully hot. So maybe more water parks and breaking in the middle of the day will help. We normally don't break in the middle of the day, but this might be a trip to vacation a different way. Plus, if Toy Story Land is open, we'd love to see that.
I'm still undecided. I think I need to sit down with my spreadsheets and figure out if cost is a factor or not.
Yes, we can go to WDW in Florida, but since its the beginning of August, I was thinking it might be awfully hot.
If you're considering Disneyland Paris at the beginning, just to say it's one of the busiest times of the year, as British school holidays are then. Something else to consider....
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I can tell we used our points for members of our family who stayed at the New York Hotel and they were very happy there. I've also heard good things about Sequoia Lodge and much better things about the Newport Bay following its renovation. 
deciding what to do - do you have any other options?
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