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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
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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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11-10-2005, 06:48 PM
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#1
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Community Rank: Traveler 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 306
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Joey and Christine\'s much needed vacation - The best night ever- Day 4 part 2- Update 1/23
Yeah, it's finally almost here so I figured I’d start my pre-trip report. This is only my 2nd attempt (didn’t finish my first one) so please bear with me.
I booked the cruise portion of my trip in February when everything in my life was some what normal. I figured I would have plenty of time to plan and research and have the best vacation ever. However, all that changed in April. The hotel I was working for was being taken over and when you work for the big boss you’re one of the first people to go. As soon as I found out I was losing my job panic set in, not because I was losing my job but because I didn't want to cancel my cruise. Fortunately, I found a job right away or was I fortunate. Let’s just say it was the worst job I have ever had in my life (not going to tell you who it was for but I’ll give you a hint, it’s the newest most expensive hotel in Vegas). So for the next couple of months my life was consumed with that awful job. When I came home after working 14 hours I really didn’t want to plan anything. I realized I hadn’t even booked the land part of my trip and it was July. My husband had to force me to make reservations. I wasn’t really sure what we were going to do. I knew we had the 4 day cruise but I didn’t know where we were going to stay and for how many days. Finally I decided 1 night in Animal Kingdom Lodge, then the cruise and then 3 nights at the Boardwalk and 4-day park hopper tickets. I went over everything with my husband but he really, really wanted to stay at the Grand Floridian so back to the drawing board. The Grand Floridian was really expensive by this time so I changed my plans and booked the first night at Pop Century, and the last 2 nights in the GF. All was good with the world of course until Monday came and I had to go back work [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img]. At this point I had my Passporters but hadn’t even opened them. Fast forward to August, oh I forgot to book my airfare (I usually just book full packages but it was so much cheaper doing everything my self). Fortunately, the airfare was cheaper than when I had looked in February so that worked out. Next I realized I still hadn’t gotten my MVMCP tickets so I did those on line in between my wonderful yelling at me [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]. It was when my husband and I were on vacation in Disneyland that I realized I really needed to quit my job (yes, I did manage to get in 4 trips to DL; hey I needed some stress relief). I knew it would be hard but I wanted my life back and the only way that was going to happen is if I quit so I did. My last day of work was on October 7th[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]. That was six months of prime planning time that I lost. I think I only visited these boards 3 times in that six month period. Ok, now I was ready to really plan, I had paid for the vacation already so I was going whether I found a job or not. I got out my Passporters and hit the boards. The only thing that I really missed out on was getting an ADR at LTT during MVMCP. I will try to get it when I am there maybe I will have some luck. Here are my plans:
December 2nd: Leave Vegas at 11:30pm arrive in MCO at 7am on 12/3/05 get car and check into Pop, head over to AK for Donald’s Breakfastosaurus at 10am. Hopefully our room at Pop will be ready by noon because I know we will be tired by then. Take a nap and head over to Disney Studios to see the Osborne Christmas Lights and maybe take a quick ride on RNRC. After that we will go the Downtown Disney. This may be the only time we could get there. It’s so weird not having a full week in Disney. I would really like to eat at Earl of Sandwich but my husband wants Checkers, we’ll see.
December 4th: Leave for the ship by 9am by way of Dunkin Donuts (we miss them so much). Not much planned for the cruise except Palo, a couple’s massage and the exotic rasul [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]. I tried not to over plan the cruise. I am just going to go with the flow.
December 8th: Get off the ship as early as possible and head over to the Grand Floridian. I am sure our room will not be ready yet so we will go to the MK for a little while. I want to take an afternoon nap because we have MVMCP tonight. I would like to be back at the MK by 5pm, if I can’t get into LTT we will go eat at Pecos Bills (one of our favorites). I am really excited about this night, I just love MVMCP, it will be our 3rd time.
December 9th. Epcot day, I have an ADR for Alfredo’s at Noon the rest of the day we will just try to get everything in. If we are not too tired, we may head over to the Boardwalk (usually that is where we park).
December 10th: Our last day [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]. I have an ADR at Kona Café for 7:40; no way can my husband leave without having banana stuffed French toast. Then we will check out and go to Disney Studios for the day. I have an ADR for 50’s Prime Time Café at 3pm (yum, fried Boursin cheese). If we have time, we will try to go back to Downtown Disney. I guess it all depends on how crowded it is. We will head to the airport about 6pm for our 8:30 flight back home.
Next up: Trying on clothes, packing, shopping and some more packing.
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11-11-2005, 09:33 AM
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#2
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Community Rank: Explorer 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: NC
Posts: 12,270
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Re: Joey and Christine\'s much needed vacation - Pre-Trip - Really Long
Sorry to hear about all your work troubles!! But I'm glad you're happy now!! So far your plans look good!!
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11-11-2005, 10:34 AM
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#3
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Community Rank: Legend Extraordinaire 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Ohio Football Hall Of Fame
Posts: 42,304
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Re: Joey and Christine\'s much needed vacation - Pre-Trip - Really Long
Soun ds like you are ready for a much needed vacation!! Can't wait to hear all about it when you return!!!
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11-11-2005, 11:19 AM
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#4
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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: Joey and Christine\'s much needed vacation - Pre-Trip - Really Long
Sounds like you really really need this vacation!!!
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11-11-2005, 06:09 PM
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#5
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Community Rank: Trekker 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Maine
Posts: 1,831
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Re: Joey and Christine\'s much needed vacation - Pre-Trip - Really Long
Hope you have a really wonderful vacation!
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11-12-2005, 07:23 AM
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#6
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RED SOX NATION!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854
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Re: Joey and Christine\'s much needed vacation - Pre-Trip - Really Long
Boy do you ever need this vacation [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grouphug.gif[/img]
Have a great time [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] Your plans look great [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]
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11-12-2005, 08:33 AM
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#7
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Community Rank: Scout 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Methuen,MA
Posts: 4,499
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Re: Joey and Christine\'s much needed vacation - Pre-Trip - Really Long
hope you have a great time and soory to hear about our work troubles- I have been there myself and know how you feel
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11-12-2005, 12:25 PM
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#8
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Community Rank: Trekker
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Southern Maine
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 1,552
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Re: Joey and Christine\'s much needed vacation - Pre-Trip - Really Long
Sounds like a great trip! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] Looking forward to hearing all about it. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img]
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11-17-2005, 05:55 PM
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#9
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Community Rank: Traveler
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 306
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Re: Joey and Christine\'s much needed vacation - Pre-Trip - I finally get to pack - Updated 11/17/05
I have been going to a nutritionist for the past two months and have lost about 15 lbs. It occurred to me that maybe I should try on the clothes I wanted to wear. Unfortunately, most of them still fit [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] wow I gained a lot of weight since last year. Well, since most of my clothes were out already I figured I might as well start to pack. Yes, I love packing [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]. When I go on vacation I must pack and unpack about 50 times. I haven’t fully packed just took out my suitcase and put some clothes in it. What, I only have 3 weeks left to pack [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]. Since I was starting a new job on Monday, my husband and I decided to do our vacation shopping early as I didn’t know how much time my new job would take up. We usually do our entire toiletry shopping the weekend before we leave. I was so excited to go shopping this time. Because of the cruise I needed a lot more stuff. With shopping list in hand we headed to Wal-Mart first. It was a Saturday afternoon and it was crazy but that didn’t matter. Even my husband didn’t complain because we were shopping for our vacation (in three weeks). I managed to do some damage at Wal-Mart but I couldn’t get everything. My husband asked if we were going camping because of all the stuff I was getting: bug spray, extension cord, flash light, shower bag, clothes pins and bonine (don’t know if we will get sea sick but don’t want to take any chances). Since I wasn’t able to get everything I wanted we headed to Target (my most favorite place) and I was able to finish up: over the door shoe bag, sea bands (yes, I am bringing more than one type of sea sickness medication), soap, tooth paste, mini first aid kit and travel alarm clock. When I got home I realized this stuff was heavy, I am going to need an extra suitcase just to fit all of it. So I got out another suitcase and started packing it. I don’t know what it is; it just makes me happy to pack [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]. Unpacking is a whole other story [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]. I was also very excited because when I got home waiting for me at my door were my cruise documents. Yeah, I was doing the document dance [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] I read through them with a fine tooth comb, it was pretty much everything I already knew but I still loved reading them. After I was done reading them I thought maybe I should start to organize all my travel documents. For my birthday this year I received a very cool little travel wallet so I dug that out and started packing that up too. I am leaving in less than 3 weeks and I am soooo excited.
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11-17-2005, 07:36 PM
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#10
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RED SOX NATION!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854
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Re: Joey and Christine\'s much needed vacation - Pre-Trip - I finally get to pack - Updated 11/17/05
Another great update [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img]
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11-17-2005, 07:59 PM
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#11
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Community Rank: Traveler
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Texas
Posts: 491
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Re: Joey and Christine\'s much needed vacation - Pre-Trip - I finally get to pack - Updated 11/17/05
Great update!
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11-18-2005, 11:15 AM
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#12
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New York
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 7,960
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Re: Joey and Christine\'s much needed vacation - Pre-Trip - I finally get to pack - Updated 11/17/05
Great start! I, too, am an early packer! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] Can't wait to hear all the details!
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11-29-2005, 08:26 PM
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#13
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Community Rank: Traveler
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 306
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Re: Joey and Christine\'s much needed vacation - Pre-Trip -Still Packing
Wow, packing for this trip seems to be so much harder than most. There is just so much stuff I want to take because of the cruise. With the airlines being so strict with the weight of luggage I am now up to 3 pieces and there is only two of us. Does anyone else take 8 pairs of shoes on vacation? I have clothes all over my living room. I hope I get finished tonight but it doesn't look promising. I have so much more to still do. It's amazing I have been planning this trip since February and all of a sudden it's here and I feel like I am not prepared. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]
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11-29-2005, 08:36 PM
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#14
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Longfellow's "Jewel by the Sea"
Posts: 14,165
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Re: Joey and Christine\'s much needed vacation - Pre-Trip -Still Packing
You might be able to make more room in your bags if you take out 5 pairs of shoes. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] You'll make it, don't worry. Have FUN!!!!
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11-29-2005, 08:52 PM
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#15
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Community Rank: Traveler
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 306
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Re: Joey and Christine\'s much needed vacation - Pre-Trip -Still Packing
[ QUOTE ]
You might be able to make more room in your bags if you take out 5 pairs of shoes
[/ QUOTE ]
[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] Leave shoes at home NEVER! Maybe if I leave my husband at home that would leave more room for my shoes [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
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