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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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Those both sound like fantastic excursions!!! I love the idea of horesback riding on the beach (is there any grown up girl who doesn't?!?!)! Of course when I picture it, I also picture myself looking fantastic in some awesome bikini!
Belize is supposed to be an awesome spot for snorkeling and diving I thought. Any snorkel options?
Meri is going to be so excited about the dolphins! Although surprisingly, my DD was a little afraid of having them kiss her. I think she was 11 when we did it? So they kissed my DS instead.
Wonderful excursions you have planned! We did the Sea Lion swim at Chankanaab and loved it!!
We have cruised on NCL, Carnival (twice), RC and Princess and I can honestly say we have enjoyed the Carnival cruises the most. I know they used to have the reputation of being "party ships" but both of the cruises we took, there was no more partying going on than on any other cruise we went on. I think Carnival has worked very hard over the years to improve their reputation and become more "family friendly". The only thing I felt was better on some of the other cruise lines was the nighttime entertainment and shows. Other than that, we enjoyed everything about our Carnival cruises. I'm sure you're going to have a great time on the Dream!!
Hi! Just found your PTR. Good for you celebrating your birthday in a special way! I feel for you as I'm a December 30th baby, so it always just gets lost between Xmas & New Years. Next year is my 50th & I've already told my husband that I want to be somewhere warm when I turn 50 (we live in Buffalo, NY)!
I've done the dolphin swim with my kids at Chakanaab a few years ago. We all enjoyed it. And yes, we bought the pictures!
Can't wait to read more.
Tina
Glad to hear another good review of the dolphin swim! It will be fun! I don't blame you wanting to be somewhere warmer than Buffalo on your birthday!
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Originally Posted by chezp
The excursions you've picked so far sound wonderful.
Thanks, I thought so. The idea of horseback riding on the beach sets me to swoon, lol!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pris
Ohhhh, a horse ride on the beach. Nice!! Maybe the Old Spice guy will show up to entertain you...
This made me laugh out loud, thanks!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
Those both sound like fantastic excursions!!! I love the idea of horesback riding on the beach (is there any grown up girl who doesn't?!?!)! Of course when I picture it, I also picture myself looking fantastic in some awesome bikini!
Belize is supposed to be an awesome spot for snorkeling and diving I thought. Any snorkel options?
Meri is going to be so excited about the dolphins! Although surprisingly, my DD was a little afraid of having them kiss her. I think she was 11 when we did it? So they kissed my DS instead.
I had a long talk with Meri about the dolphin swim. I gave her all of the details, so she'd know in advance what to expect, and she's excited about it. But I can understand the hesitancy to get a kiss. That's a foreign creature RIGHT in your face... lol.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SharonK0527
Wonderful excursions you have planned! We did the Sea Lion swim at Chankanaab and loved it!!
We have cruised on NCL, Carnival (twice), RC and Princess and I can honestly say we have enjoyed the Carnival cruises the most. I know they used to have the reputation of being "party ships" but both of the cruises we took, there was no more partying going on than on any other cruise we went on. I think Carnival has worked very hard over the years to improve their reputation and become more "family friendly". The only thing I felt was better on some of the other cruise lines was the nighttime entertainment and shows. Other than that, we enjoyed everything about our Carnival cruises. I'm sure you're going to have a great time on the Dream!!
I agree, they're working really hard to restore their image, and hopefully all will go swimmingly, lol.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Glad you were able to get a balcony with the cruise line shift, and your excursions sound so fun!
I am really looking forward to a balcony. Nothing like having room service breakfast on the balcony... a nice cup of coffee, a danish and croissant, and a good book. Ahhhhh. They might have to call the port police to pry me off with a crowbar on the 27th.
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
It all sounds wonderful! What a great way to get some sunshine and a less hectic celebration of the holiday. The change of lines for the balcony is great, too. So relaxing to have your own private spot to view the world. Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas!
It all sounds wonderful! What a great way to get some sunshine and a less hectic celebration of the holiday. The change of lines for the balcony is great, too. So relaxing to have your own private spot to view the world. Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas!
We all just need to get away - so having a private outdoor retreat is just ideal in so many ways. It's been a very hectic couple of months, and we are just ready to hide away and enjoy the gentle swooshing of the waves.
None of you will be surprised that I've been so swamped I haven't had time to get anything done on the PTR!! Why is it always so insanely hectic leading up to a vacation? But now I have 8 mere sleeps until we depart, and 10 sleeps until we board!!
All Christmas gifts are bought and packed. I've got all of Meri's clothes picked out and set aside in her closet - 7 dinner dresses (including one fancy Christmas dress and one fancy Christmas Eve dress), bathing suits, shorts and tank tops. As for my clothes... uhm. Yeah. LOL. I have to figure out what dresses I have, what dresses I can fit into (I blame mom for making cinnamon rolls for breakfast every single day) and what on earth I'll wear to dinner. One thing I do know - during the day, I will be in a bathing suit and cover-up for 99% of the time. I'll pack a few pairs of capris and tshirts just for excursions and for various activities we might want to participate in. This weekend I'll get down to brass tacks on that!
I keep promising some room pictures / discussion so I guess I should get on that, huh?
Here's a rough room floorplan. Our beds will be separated, and this time I get the one by the window / balcony! The couch turns into a bed for Meri.
It's a tiny balcony, but I don't care. It's a balcony! And I will be breakfasting on it daily!
The cruise line glamour shot version of the cabin, lol
It looks perfectly adequate. And it's laid out a bit more traditionally than our last cabin, lol, which was all kinds of odd.
We're still debating on adding the cave tubing excursion in Belize. All reports I read say it's amazing, but... 90 minutes each way... I just don't know. I guess it's a neat way to see the countryside... decisions decisions.
Sunday will be my big "clean the car, pack the luggage" day. I got some battery operated Christmas lights for the cabin, and I need to run to Dollar Tree tonight to get some window clings. I think we're going to gift-wrap our cabin door (seems to be the popular thing to do).
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
Registered Message Board Members save 30% off PassPorter guidebooks! When you register you'll have access to a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of PassPorter books in our online store.
The room looks very nice! I like having the beds at the back of the room with the desk and sofa in front. Gives you a bit more space when you enter than on DCL with the reverse arrangement.
Room looks great! Nice that the bed is right by the balcony! I always thought that was a bit of a rip off on DCL - I pay for the cruise, but my bed is furthest from the window? My kids like that set up, though....
Good luck finishing up all you need to do this weekend!
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