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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
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Thank you all so much for reading my Report and making such wonderful comments I love reading them in between my postings and adventures!!!
Since the previous Thread has gotten to be SOOO long I am starting a fresh one here! For those who just found this thread please feel free to read from the beginning! http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...-half-fun.html
I have some major updates coming to the report and I hope you don't mind that they are so LONG!
I have a ton of photos and while I would love to share them with everyone they are far tooooooo MANY to share in one place! So I'll post some of my favorites and ones that fit into my actual report but the rest can be found on my smugmug account!
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Cool. Thanks Amy. But I still think you should consider my idea...
I know the perfect job for you, Amy. You could do simple little grocery runs for our PPers to help them get supplies. Kind of like a personal PPer Shopper. And this way you could see all of us PPers. Besides have of the other grocers charge an arm and a leg and want so much money even just for a simple thing as a case of water.
So the Rumor was that on Wednesday the Pixie Hollow was opening for Tinkerbell and her fellow fairies to do Meet and greets. Since I had no plans for the day I went over only expecting to spend 1 or 2 hours in the park.
I got out of the house and to the park by around 11am. Not to bad for someone who has been sleeping in until almost noon lately. Mom had to work so she couldn't join me today. It was a solo day Alone time...in the Magic Kingdom! Sweet!!!!
I told her i'd be home for dinner really that was the plan... will that happen ....will I get stuck eating beef stew we shall see.
I parked in Minnie 43 and this time they saw the tag and no questions pointed me to the end space of the row glad when things go as planned.
I gathered my belongings exited the vehicle locked it and boarded the tram LOVE LOVE LOVE the 2 mile hike to MK builds anticipation right?? Right!!
I chose the Monorail since we have taken the Ferry so many times there and decided when I leave i'll take the ferry back so not to leave it out completely.
I trekked up that LONG LONG LONG walkway to the top of the platform and asked if anyone was waiting for the front of the monorail. I was told to ask the CM by the front and she waved me into the "cue" for the front. Sweet!
We were soon loaded onto the express monorail and I was all alone in front I tried to find a family of 3 but there were large families and no one to join me. So that was cool. We made our way around I took a few photos but the glass was awfully clouded and not the cleanest so they weren't the best but how cool is sitting in front I mean really!
So we pulled into the MK and I unloaded but didn't get a Pilot's Pass since I already have one figured save paper! I thanked my driver and was let out loose on the MK. But was the MK ready for me??? we shall see
Since I only planned a 1 or 2 our visit I bypassed the scooter rental and went straight into the park would this prove to be a mistake? would Amy get stuck in the park unable to walk? suspense folks...without it I won't keep the readers!
I headed up to the Train Station I figured that the ride to Toontown would save on the extra steps. I took my seat and haven't ridden the train in many trips so i took a few photos!
It was a race
I thought it was cool that you could see BTMRR so closely from the train and realized that if we wanted to take the train on a regular trip with scooters we'd have to ride all the way back to Main St USA as there are no replacement scooters like they have strollers so it would be impossible for us. Glad I did this today when I was only hobbling for a little bit!
Once I got to Toontown I found my nearest Cast Member and ask if the Tinkerbell Meet and Greet was open. Well she didn't think it was but told me to ask inside the Tent where you meet characters and there is a store (forget the name) well the snotty CM there who was trying way to hard to make me "believe" told me Tinkerbell doesn't doesn't "come out" except at night for the fireworks to "spread pixie dust" and that is the only place to "see" her. Well I explained that I had read that it might be open in Pixie Hollow and could she please find out when it might be open for tours.
Well she stated that they hadn't even built pixie hollow as its only for fairies. I said thank you and walked away obviously she was willing to be of no help Seriously, obviously with no one else around, and i have no kids with me do you think I need to "believe" I mean I do but anyway I went over found another CM who looked more Managerish and asked her. She said that they were delayed and it would be sometime "next week" but to try back on the weekend for "sneak peeks" but it wasn't a guarantee.
I read online tonight that they did sneak peaks so that is a good sign!
I thanked her for answering my question it was at least a start!
Well since I didn't want to waste my 2 mile trek in from the parking lot I decide to stay a little bit and just enjoy some attractions and the decorations for halloween.
So I took a photo in Toontown
Then headed into Tomorrowland to see if Jyl was working, JPOD523 is working in Tomorrowland at Space Mountain and I wanted to congratulate her on passing her test that she took to be able to work there. I didn't see her at the entrance so I went inside. Since I was walking the GAC card came in handy as it was helping minimize my pain. She wasn't in the tower or on the side I was directed to.
Well I was going to "chicken" out and bypass riding it but I was ushered onto the ride so fast that Before I knew what was happening I was screaming my head off one hand holding on for dear life the other covering my eyes and they had to tell me to take both off because the ride was over.
Two CM's peeled me out of the ride vehicle and I was helped to the bench to compose myself. OMG that was the scariest ride EVER!!!!!!!
NEVER AGAIN! sorry Jyl but I will not go back on nope : not happening....this is one person not afraid to say I'm a chicken and rather ride RNRC then Space Mountain.
I think it has to do with the fact that RNRC isn't as dark and so my eyes can somewhat see what is happening. But thats my story i am sticking to it
After my almost death experience on SM I headed out and sat down for a few more minutes. While I sat I read emails on my blackberry, then I took a photo of the Palm Tree that is not really a palm tree per se.
Then I put the camera away and boy am I sad I did that because as I was getting up who came walking by but a Disney VIP guide with Curt Schilling and his wife and kids. Yep! Seems that he was on vacation since the stinkin Red Sox are out of the series and since he is rehabing from surgery. But HOW COOL WAS THAT!
After my run by Redsox Sighting I headed out of Tomorrowland and through the Castle Hub where I took some photos of the halloween statues and then headed over to Columbia Harbour House. I had the Tuna Sandwich with Apple Slices and then the Apple Crisp for Dessert. I had a sprite to drink and it was around $13 for lunch.
Those were really cool and they had the whole park done in oranges, yellows, pumpkins and I think it was really nicely done.
After CHH and lunch I headed to get a spot for the Parade. So far everytime we see it we are on the wrong side and I don't get to see Grumpy. (I have never met him one on one. someday )
I found a great spot where NO ONE would get in front of me and I sat down and waited for the parade to start. Now for those counting, I got to the park around 11 and now the 3pm parade was in my plans. So longer then the 2 hours I had planned but with the spot I got it was worth it.
While I waited I noticed on my times guide tonight was Spectro and Wishes both of which I have YET TO SEE but I was only here for a couple hours I couldn't skip out on beef stew .... or could I ...Would I??? who knows...suspense my friends suspense...
Here are some of my favorite shots (see the rest on my smug mug account located in my signature or the first post of this thread)
Grumpy noticed my "grumpy" pin I had on this was Priceless and worth the pain in my legs, back and price of admission!
After the Parade and wiping the tears away I still cry every time I see this parade! I decided to go see Philharmagic and headed up into Fantasyland. I was ushered in and picked up some glasses. I waited maybe 5 minutes and the doors opened and we were let into the theater. I cried...again. I this movie and it just is Disney for me and I was just in my happy place.
I got a Text from Jyl that she had gotten to work and to come see her. yeah ok....I'll just go see if she is outside because I am not risking getting put back on that scary scary ride
I hobbled (by now my feet, knees, hips, and back were telling me why my 1 -2 hour trip should have been done as promised and not extended! at least without a scooter) but made it to tomorrowland. I felt like a truck hit me full force thats how bad I was in pain.
Jyl must have been inside as she wasn't outside so I hobbled up to the TTA and rode that 3 times in a row just to get some rest in for my body.
I did look and Jyl must have been on A Side or in Tower Control as she wasn't loading the B Side. So I missed her today but its ok plenty of time!
Each time I got to the end of the TTA i asked to go again, by the 3rd time they just waved me through They were really nice to let me stay on so many times.
I got off after the 3rd time and since by now it was getting close to 5pm I decided that Beef Stew would have to wait and called mom told her I was staying for Wishes and Spectro since I had toughed it out this long. I got some food from casey's and made my way to Main St and got a seat up on the Train station to watch the Flag Retreat (for the first time ) and wait for the parade and fireworks.
Flag Retreat
Spectro and Wishes were Spectacular and I cried for the whole thing, when Wishes started I called Mom so she could listen. After both were over I headed out and caugh the Ferry back to the TTC and the tram to the car. I had a great day even though my 1-2 hour trip turned into a 10 hour adventure!
I will say that the view of the parade from the train station is great no one in front of you but the fact that they keep the lights on from behind you is really hard to get photos of Wishes. I think I prefer to be closer to the castle maybe half way up Main St. but we shall see as I will try different spots now each time!
Here are some of my favorite shots of the Parade, Fireworks and leaving the park!
It was a really Magical Day I hope you Enjoyed!
Up Next... A Road Trip to the Gulf of Mexico???
__________________
Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust! Studying Hard to Make a Difference!
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What a great day!! How awesome that you saw Curt Schilling, Shonda and the kids! I would have been horrified on SM too! Glad you found a spot on the train station to watch the parade - we try to spend at least one evening there. It's nice to people watch from up there and just rest for a while in anticipation of the evening finale. Not to mention the quick exit at the end. It's good to see you continue to make changes to your days, even though you live there now. Looking forward to more
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.
After Wednesday long day out Thursday and Friday were lets just take it easy days. Friday we did go to Early Voting as we won't be in FL to vote on the 4th. So other then that I spent my days on the couch Lazy I know but I did toooo much wednesday.
Saturday (yesterday) we did have plans though and I was excited! We were going down to Englewood Florida which is right next to Venice Florida. My mom's friend Sharon who had come to help pack us up had bought a house just before we left and she was going to be here for a few days. We decided to go visit her and the beach!
So we left around 10:30 and made a stop for gas before heading down 417 south to get to I 4 towards tampa. Then onto I 75 and to Englewood's exit and onto Sharon's house would be the route!
Not that long into the trip we found something we never knew existed and I was glad I had my camera out because I just had to take a photo of IT!
Did you see it? ...yes...no?? Here is a close up!
How COOL is that!!! I think all the electric line poles should be like that!
We continued on and soon we were in Tampa, then another hour or so we finally got to Englewood where we stopped at Sonic for lunch I Sonic!
We got to Sharon's house in no time and wow it was really beautifully landscaped and the house was very nice inside as well. She even had a pool.
I took a few photos of the outside but to protect her privacy didn't take any of the inside.
Yes that's my car with the grumpy on the back (we have to get it registered soon just trying to get my title copied and sent to me from the bank that's a whole nother story!)
We spent time chatting and touring the home and sitting by the pool for a while then we decided to hit the beach to see what it was like there.
On our way to leave we ran into a Gopher Turtle which is endangered and its illegal to harm them in any way. So we had to wait for it to move before we could back out!
Finally he got out of the road and we went on our way it was 1 mile to the beach and they had parking right there so it was very convienant.
The surf was rough though and water was cold. Since I am afraid of Fish I didn't put more then a toe in But we did walk the beach for shells! we came home with a small bag full.
Proof that I was on the beach
Gah that is a horrible photo but its ok I embarass my mother enough on here in photos time for me to do it to myself
We went back to Sharon's made a pit stop and then went on our way as it was a 2 hour ride home and I was exhausted I hadn't slept well the night before and I was getting a headache.
We said our goodbye's and left and I'll give you a photo tour of our drive home! We did make it home in 2 hours without incident which was great!
Mom Drove
In Tampa there is a big controversy over this flag
Then we saw these and they were all in a row from short to tall then back to short again I was glad we had the camera out once again!
Old Airstream Trailers and then right next door was an Airstream Dealer but that was hilarious!
I wouldn't pick this guy up would you? A hitchhiking dino???
yes Folks the Speed Limit was 70!!!!!
This photo was taken for Dyankj130.... Yes I feed her Bronson Addiction!
Ok so they named a town after my Aunt Kathy
What is with Florida and weird things by the side of the road ?
Did you ever hear of Orlampa? Neither did I but I guess they make citrus there?
Now we are just a "Big Papi" time away from Orlando
I think the Dino would have been a better fit here but glad to see they are advertising the new restaurant!
Some shots of the area around our house
Those are office buildings and a small shopping center across the street from us but I took the photos from the highway.
It was a great day and well worth the drive and Today (Sunday) we are cleaning, shopping, and packing for our trek back to CT and the Frozen Tundra for my Cousin's Confirmation. Which I'll fill you in on more later!
Until next time my friends!
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Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust! Studying Hard to Make a Difference!
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Alone time...in the Magic Kingdom! Sweet!!!! 
we shall see. 
would this prove to be a mistake? would Amy get stuck in the park unable to walk? suspense folks...without it I won't keep the readers! 
Seriously, obviously with no one else around, and i have no kids with me do you think I need to "believe" 
: not happening....this is one person not afraid to say I'm a chicken and rather ride RNRC then Space Mountain. 
) 
but I was only here for a couple hours I couldn't skip out on beef stew .... or could I ...Would I??? who knows...suspense my friends suspense...
this movie and it just is Disney for me and I was just in my happy place. 
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