Forums Closed
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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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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!
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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.
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09-06-2004, 09:41 PM
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#1
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Sarasota, FL
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 1,547
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First Time Cruiser - TA Question
 Do you have a favorite TA you use to book your DCL excursions? I have gotten quotes from a few (Platinum Travel, Magical Travel). So far, Platinum Travel has given the best price.
I'm new to cruising and would appreciate your recommendations. I am planning a May 2005 mother-daughter 3 night Bahamas cruise on the Wonder. I am so excited! 
Any suggestions you have on a good TA or any thing else to do with the cruise are greatly appreciated (excursions, spa treatments, shows, ANYTHING!)
Thanks in advance!  |
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09-06-2004, 09:59 PM
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#2
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Community Rank: Explorer 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: The Jersey Shore
Posts: 7,249
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Re: First Time Cruiser - TA Question
Try Your Magical Journey . They have helped me in the past.
Also, if you are a member, give AAA a try. They had the best price for our July cruise. |
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09-06-2004, 10:13 PM
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#3
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Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 16,825
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Re: First Time Cruiser - TA Question
We've had a lot of luck with Mouse Ear Vacations.com, the official travel agent of PassPorter Gather/MouseFest 2004. Annette was so helpful, responsive and friendly! |
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09-07-2004, 09:47 AM
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#4
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Community Rank: Navigator 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Davidsonville, MD
Posts: 6,563
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Re: First Time Cruiser - TA Question
I'm a Mouseear Vacations user and my TA is Tim Larison. He's done mine and my cousins cruises. Love him!
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09-07-2004, 10:13 AM
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#5
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Community Rank: Trailblazer 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Chicago Suburbs
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 5,921
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Re: First Time Cruiser - TA Question
We are Mouseearvacation users and our TA is Pam Schuck!
LOVE HER!!!
Kristine
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09-07-2004, 01:29 PM
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#6
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Living Seas wannabe
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 31,940
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Re: First Time Cruiser - TA Question
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09-08-2004, 06:27 PM
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#7
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Community Rank: Legend 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Florida Big Bend
Posts: 17,133
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First Time Cruiser - TA Question
[ QUOTE ]
Try Your Magical Journey . They have helped me in the past.
Also, if you are a member, give AAA a try. They had the best price for our July cruise.
[/ QUOTE ]
YMJ has been doing our travel arrangements for both the World and our three cruises the last several years and are a Disney Earmarked Agency.
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09-08-2004, 08:25 PM
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#8
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Community Rank: Jetsetter 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 2,584
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Re: First Time Cruiser - TA Question
[ QUOTE ]
Here's a vote for Grand Getaways Travel
[/ QUOTE ]
And one more! Maureen from Grand Getaways just got me booked this morning. She has been super so far, and I've heard nothing but great things about her and her partner Courtney!  |
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09-09-2004, 01:49 PM
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#9
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Community Rank: Sightseer 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: South
Posts: 80
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Re: First Time Cruiser - TA Question
Courtney at Grand Getaways Travel MATCHED my best cruise price and also handled arranging all my shore excursions too! She and her partner Maureen are so on the ball and treat me like I am their only client. I love these smaller companies that don't make me feel like a number. I highly recommend them. I have also seen where they will help you even if you made the mistake  of booking with a company that doesn't know the ropes like they do. What else could you ask for? They have my vote hands down!  |
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09-09-2004, 02:30 PM
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#10
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Community Rank: Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Florida Big Bend
Posts: 17,133
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First Time Cruiser - TA Question
Yes it is wonderful. Several of the people with Your Magical Journeys actually WORKED for Disney and have remained quite close. They are also Earmarked by Disney as well. Being Earmarked by Disney is QUITE a distinction in the field.
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09-09-2004, 03:31 PM
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#11
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Community Rank: Sightseer
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: South
Posts: 80
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Re: First Time Cruiser - TA Question
[ QUOTE ]
Yes it is wonderful. Several of the people with Your Magical Journeys actually WORKED for Disney and have remained quite close. They are also Earmarked by Disney as well. Being Earmarked by Disney is QUITE a distinction in the field.
[/ QUOTE ]That's a good point about having worked for them. I know that Maureen used to work for Disney too. And I think Courtney grew up in Florida and has been to Disney World so much that they should name a resort after her!
It looks like both agencies have their fans . I chose to go with Grand Getaways Travel because I got the best price from them and they offered to book shore excursions too! They have provided me with the service I have come to expect and it doesn't cost me a dime extra! Thanks ladies. |
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09-09-2004, 07:56 PM
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#12
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Community Rank: Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Florida Big Bend
Posts: 17,133
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First Time Cruiser - TA Question
Yes, working in Walt Disney World's Reservations for a number of years gives one a wealth of experience doesn't it?
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09-10-2004, 03:16 AM
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#13
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Community Rank: Jetsetter
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 2,584
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Re: First Time Cruiser - TA Question
Well, Kim, there you have it. Several good options to choose from. We don't all share the same favorite Epcot pavillion, the same favorite Disney park, and now, you see, not even the same favorite travel agency.
The good news is that we all love Walt Disney World!! 
Best of luck with your planning! |
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09-10-2004, 01:30 PM
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#14
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Community Rank: Trekker 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,738
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Re: First Time Cruiser - TA Question
We've used "Your Magical Journey" for the last 2 Disney vacations and have been happy.
You are going to have an awesome time!!
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09-10-2004, 02:44 PM
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#15
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Community Rank: Day-Tripper
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 10
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Re: First Time Cruiser - TA Question
Well, I don't need an agency to book my shore excursions since that is actually something I enjoy doing on my own. I like to take part in some of the planning myself. What is essential to me is booking with an agent that will get me the best possible prices, as well as having first hand knowledge of various ships and cruise lines.
Claire
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