Forums Closed
|
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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!
|
|
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.
|
 |
10-14-2003, 02:28 PM
|
#1
|
Community Rank: Adventurer 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Sacramento, CA
Concierge Level: 2
Posts: 917
|
Re: Haunted Mansion Holiday Rules!!!
Bonnie!
I saw Haunted Mansion Holiday on Sunday, too! It was fantastic. We found out the trick on seeing it with no lines...headed over there about 11:30, and walked right on! Then when we got off, we were taking some pictures at the entrance and just as the cast member was bout to close the gates we said "What the heck, let's go again!" So we went twice in a row!
I love this overlay, Bonnie described lots of the features, (by the way...Jack's dog is "Zero") and there is even more! The script is completely different, you aren't in a doom buggie, you are taking a "Slay Ride." The graveyard is great, the singing busts are replaced with singing pumpkins!
A new addition this year is Oogie Boogie! And there is actually a game, sort of like finding Hidden Mickeys but in this game you are looking for hidden Oogie Boogies! Ask at the Bat en Rouge store for the sheet that provides clues on locating Oogie Boogie...there are 10 of them throughout the Mansion.
And, check out the fun merchandise, I bought the special Zero antenna topper!
Can't wait to see it again next week! (Thank goodness my job sends me down south every couple of weeks!)
|
|
|
|
10-14-2003, 04:14 PM
|
#2
|
Community Rank: Trekker 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,038
|
Re: Haunted Mansion Holiday Rules!!!
Infinity&Beyond,
There is so much detail that I did leave a lot out. (Thanks for the dog's name...it's been on the tip of my tongue) Was it just me or did the volume of the narration you hear in the sleigh(aka doom buggies) seem turned down low? I could hardly hear the narration!
I also wanted to mention how awesome the decorations are on the outside. Giant pumpkins and Halloween garland are draped all over the house. This theme carried over to some of the shops and restraunts in New Orleans Sq. [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]
You can also print out the clues and a map to the hidden Oogie's. It is kind of a cool little keepsake. I was going to provide a link to that page, but disneyland's web site is acting "goofy" right now. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] Maybe it will work later.
|
|
|
|
|
10-14-2003, 07:13 PM
|
#3
|
Community Rank: Adventurer
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Sacramento, CA
Concierge Level: 2
Posts: 917
|
Re: Haunted Mansion Holiday Rules!!!
Bonnie, the sound did seem really low to me, too! Fortunately I think I know the entire script by heart...but it's not so good for those who have never experienced it before. The outside does look awesome! Hey, I remembered another Oogie boogie...he was turning the popcorn machine that sits outside the mansion!
Can't wait to see it again, and I'm really looking forward to the It's A Small World Holiday, too!
|
|
|
|
|
10-15-2003, 12:31 AM
|
#4
|
Community Rank: Trekker
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,038
|
Haunted Mansion Holiday Rules!!!
Sunday, the 6th, my DH and I went to DL with my sole intent being to ride Haunted Mansion Holiday since I've never seen it. Well...let me tell you that it was positively mobbed. The stand by wait was over 2 hours and the FP wait was 30 min!!! 30 MINUETS??? Just to get the FP! Yikes! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] Well, DH said "nothing doing, we can come back another time for this." I was very [img]graemlins/cry2.gif[/img]
Fast forward to the following Sunday, the 13th and we are back! I'm extremely determined to get on HMH or die trying if need be. I ran, dragging poor husband behind me, straight to the FastPass and scored with no wait for a FP time less than an hour away!
Our FP time approached and we poised ourselves in front of the gates, there were soo many people clammoring to get in the FP line! After about a 10 min wait we were led into the lobby. The lights appeared to be dimmer that usual and there was a blast of icy cold air beating on us (we were grateful for this as it was quite hot here this weekend)Than we were told that everyBODY should step into the elevator. The oh so familiar portraits were gone and in thier place were portraits of Nightmare Before Christmas characters. Jack, Sally, Oogie and Jack's ghost dog. The walls were strung with black and orange Halloween garland. The doors closed and the room stretched. The portraits stretched to reveal the characters done up in thier creepy Christmas attire. The lights began to flash and flicker and the ceiling opened to reveal the gigantic head of Jack looking down on us and glowing in the dark. It was very creepy looking! (some kid was screaming her lungs out at this point) Fortunatly for us, the doors opened onto the hallway. Again, the portraits on the walls were replaced with the likes of Sally, Jack and Lock, Shock and Barrel. Just like the regular portraits, these transformed to reveal a sinister demeanor beneath. We found Oogie lurking by the head turning statues. The queue at the Doom Buggies is where I was officialy blown away. There were giant animatronics of Nightmare figures with snow and an eerie flourescent glow. I couldn't believe it, but basically everything was replaced with NBC art. The ballroom featured Oogie dancing on top of a huge cake. In the stretch hallway Jack's dog (what is his name?) was hovering with his red glowing nose. Madame Leota was still there but her bells and tamborine's had been replaced with giant glow-in-the-dark floating tarot cards featuring you know who. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]
The graveyard was the best. It was completely covered in snow and ghastly Christmas trees. The gravedigger and his dog were gone and an AA Jack was there. The singing busts were ousted by singing pumpkin heads. It was soo different than what you usually see and I was practically hanging out of the buggie trying to see everything!
As we exited the graveyard, it was Oogie Boogie that tried to hitch a ride! Luckily he didn't make it out with us. Sally was there, however, bidding us to hurry baaack!
I exalted a loud "COOL" as we exited.
The Holiday makeover was most excellent and they did a fantastic job. It was so much better that I had expected. I hope everyone gets a chance to see this and they should definetly bring this to WDW. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
Happy Halloween Everyone!
|
|
|
|
|
10-15-2003, 12:39 AM
|
#5
|
Community Rank: Traveler 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 229
|
Re: Haunted Mansion Holiday Rules!!!
oooooooo! I didn't even know they did this! I can't wait to see it!
|
|
|
|
|
10-15-2003, 03:20 PM
|
#6
|
Community Rank: Trekker
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,038
|
Re: Haunted Mansion Holiday Rules!!!
I've never seen Small World Holiday. I can't wait to see that too. Do they play the same song or is it holiday music? [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
|
|
|
|
|
10-15-2003, 03:29 PM
|
#7
|
Community Rank: Adventurer
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Sacramento, CA
Concierge Level: 2
Posts: 917
|
Re: Haunted Mansion Holiday Rules!!!
It is holiday music interspersed with the old favorite "It's a small world." A must see if you can get there during the holidays! The entire ride is redecorated with a holiday look, and the big smiley face clock on the outside of the attraction has a giant santa hat!
|
|
|
|
|
10-15-2003, 03:50 PM
|
#8
|
Community Rank: Trekker
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,038
|
Re: Haunted Mansion Holiday Rules!!!
Barbara,
That was fast, I just posted, like 10 seconds ago!
It sounds totally cool!
It's strange...we live just 80 miles south of the Park and yet we never bought AP's until very recently. But I sure an lovin' it now! I'll never go without again.
|
|
|
|
|
10-24-2003, 10:39 PM
|
#9
|
Community Rank: Sightseer 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: MN
Posts: 72
|
Haunted Mansion Holiday Rules!!!
I totally agree!
We just returned from a trip to DL amd ite HMH is even better then last year!
the first year I was a bit unsure if I would like it..thought they might just trhrow some fake snow around..and anyway..the movie wasn't my favorite..
(Nightmare before christmas)
But WOW!!!
It is such fun!  |
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
Sponsored links
Check out the many e-books by PassPorter. The e-books are free to download if you have a PassPorter's Club pass.
|
|
10-25-2003, 07:05 PM
|
#10
|
Community Rank: Trekker
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,038
|
Re: Haunted Mansion Holiday Rules!!!
Bethmn ...That's what I though too, that it would be just Nightmare stuff interspersed with the regular spook crew. It was much better that anything I had anticipated.
OK...Anyone going to tommorow? (the 26th)
|
|
|
|
|
10-26-2003, 12:45 AM
|
#11
|
|
Mrs. Jack Sparrow
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Aboard the Black Pearl
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 21,228
|
Re: Haunted Mansion Holiday Rules!!!
<font color="blue">Thanks Bonnie for share this with us. I have never been to Dl and I don't think I'll ever get there durnig the Holidays. So at least I can kind Imagine it. </font>
|
|
|
|
|
11-09-2003, 06:12 PM
|
#12
|
Community Rank: Trailblazer 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Pittsburgh, PA , USA
Posts: 5,943
|
Re: Haunted Mansion Holiday Rules!!!
Wow - that sounds awesome!!! Thanks so much for letting us know all the detail - hope next trip to DL will be during the holidays in 2005, so hope to catch it then!
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|
About This Page: 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
Linear Mode
