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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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05-30-2006, 02:01 AM
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#1
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Dopey's biggest fan!
Join Date: May 2004
Location: China Spring, TX
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 26,975
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Our weekend in the Big Easy -- May 19-21-- COMPLETED!!! 6/3
<font color="purple"> Well, this trip was meant to have happened something like, oh, 2 ˝ years ago . . . but, of course, we have just never planned the trip. Little did I know, it was going to take my 4 friends in 30 Seconds to Mars to get a trip to New Orleans planned! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]
On April 1st, the guys announced that they added a tour date to New Orleans for May 20th . . . only a 3 hour drive from here . . . how was I supposed to NOT go? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] As soon as I got the e-mail, I booked a room for the weekend at the Parc St. Charles Hotel then started getting info on what we’d be able to do that weekend. I bought tickets as soon as they went on sale on April 10th (it’s true! My ticket numbers were 6, 7 and 8!), added myself to the list of promotion team members who were going, contacted the record company to have them send me some “goodies” to promote the show with and we were set to go!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img]
About a week later, it was announced that nearly all shows at the House of Blues in New Orleans were age 18 and up only now . . . so Emilie would not get to see the show. This REALLY upset her as she adores the guys. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] Mike was OK with the fact that he wouldn’t get to see the show, as he has never really been into the band’s music that much. Thankfully, there were quite a few other “Echelon” (promotion team) going, so I wouldn’t be at the show alone. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
So, the weekend of our trip finally rolled around, and luckily, Mike had been given the day off of work. It was also the last day of school here in Pensacola, so as soon as we picked Emilie up, we headed home, loaded up the car and pointed the car west on I-10!
We stopped by Spanish Fort, AL at the Build-A-Bear Workshop for a few minutes so that we could get Emilie’s monkey “Ginger” sewn up. He has had a rip in his side for a few months, but we have just never gotten over to BABW to get him fixed (it is about a 40-45 minute drive over there). After his little surgery and a quick air bath, and then a quick stop through McDonald’s for some lunch, we were on our way again. We made really good time all the way there and before we knew it, we were driving over the bridge over Lake Pontchartrain (from Slidell into New Orleans). We were honestly both shocked at the amount of abandoned houses, stores, apartment complexes . . . there were just entire neighborhoods left behind. Every so often we would see a FEMA trailer in a driveway and someone out doing some construction on their house, but those were few and far between. It was truly very sad. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]
Before long, we were finding our exit taking us to the French Quarter area . . . and it wasn’t very long until we found the Parc St. Charles! We parked out front and headed in to check in. It was about 3:15pm by then and my reservation confirmation e-mail said that check-in was 3pm, so we were were good to go. Or so I thought. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] When I went to check in, the girl behind the counter (who either had not been working there long or just did not understand what was going on) and I had a conversation that went something like this:
Me: “Hi. I am checking in.”
Girl: “We don’t have any rooms available. We are booked.”
Me: “I am checking in.”
Girl: “Huh?”
Me: “I am checking in.”
Girl: “What? Oh. Check in is not until 4pm.”
Me: “Um, my confirmation said check in was at 3pm.” <starts twiddling thumbs and looking around>
Girl (to another girl): “All we have are king smoking rooms. I can give them one of those.” [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]
Finally, after much eye rolling by me and them searching for an “available room” for what seemed like forever, they finally made our keys for us and sent us up to a nonsmoking room (with 2 double beds) on the 7th floor. I was sure glad they figured out where to put us and was definitely hoping that no one else checking in after us was going to have the same problem.
So we got into our room and what a nice one it was! It was a large room and lovely! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
 
Once we had unloaded our things into the room, we had to go find a place to park. This took what seemed like forever and a day to do! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] The parking options in downtown New Orleans are a friggin’ JOKE!!! The hotel offered valet parking for $18.95/night or we could find a “pay and park” lot to park in. So . . . we drove around and looked at all the prices of the pay and parks . . . most were $6 per day (or over 10 hours), $3 per evening (after 4pm). A garage around the corner from us was $20 per day (with overnight included), but it was gated and locked up after 6pm and we would not have been able to get our car out if we needed it. So, we headed back to a pay and park lot and paid $9, since we’d be there for over 10 hours and after 4pm . . . I wasn’t going to be towed for not paying enough! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]
Once we parked, it was off to take a look around New Orleans!!!</font>
COMING UP NEXT: Welcome to the French Quarter . . . and “HOW much did you just spend on 2 drinks?!” |
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05-30-2006, 02:05 AM
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#2
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Community Rank: Explorer 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Fort Smith, Arkansas
Posts: 10,721
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Re: Our weekend in the Big Easy -- May 19-21
Great start! I remember thinking the exact same thing about parking when we made a weekend trip to New Orleans years ago- jeesh, it's pricey!
Looking forward to more!
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05-30-2006, 03:30 AM
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#4
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Dopey's biggest fan!
Join Date: May 2004
Location: China Spring, TX
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 26,975
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Re: Our weekend in the Big Easy -- May 19-21
<font color="purple"> We walked a bit more then popped in to get something to drink . . . we’re on Bourbon Street, so why not? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] Emilie and I waited outside while Mike went in and got the drinks.
He got a Hurricane and I opted for a rum and coke . . . he brought me my drink and gave me $6.50. When I asked him where the rest of the change was he said “That’s it.” I almost passed out then said “Wait, you just spent HOW much on these 2 drinks?!” He said “$13.50” Well . . . so much for our very, very low budget trip! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]
My next order of business was finding out exactly where in the French Quarter the House of Blues – French Quarter was, so we started wandering around and towards the river. Once we got there, we sat down for a little while and Emilie jumped around like a frog . . . [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]
We wandered a bit more . . . and I took a few more pictures . . . </font>
This one was for Angie . . . [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] . . . we didn’t stop in to get anything to eat because it was VERY busy, but we still walked by. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
<font color="purple">Once we figured out that the House of Blues was in the opposite direction . . . [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img][img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img][img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] . . . we turned around and went that way . . .</font>
St. Louis Cathedral
<font color="purple">All along the way, I was putting up stickers and posters in promotion for the show the following night . . . I even managed to somehow slip into one of the pics . . . [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] Here are just a few from the afternoon . . . there were about 35 in total, so I picked just a couple! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]
  
FINALLY, we found the House of Blues . . . so I snapped a picture of the sign for the show for the guys . . .
. . . and we started to wander back to Canal Street to find a place to eat. Mike had his heart set on a shrimp Po-Boy sandwich and someone pointed us towards The Pearl restaurant, which was just 3 blocks from our hotel. Mike had his sandwich and Emilie and I split a hamburger . . . it was all very good. Before we left, we asked our server about the parking situation. She told us not to bother with the pay to park lots and instead find a parking meter spot along the street. The meters aren’t enforced on weekends, so we would be able to park for free. Don’t have to tell me twice! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] So we headed back to the car after dinner and moved it to a metered spot on the street near our hotel. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
On the way back to the hotel for the night, I took one last pic (of the Court of Appeals building which was right across from Lafayette Square),
. . . then we retired to the room for the night. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]</font>
COMING UP NEXT: An educational morning and a rockin’ night!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] |
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05-30-2006, 06:41 AM
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#5
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Community Rank: Trailblazer 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Carolina
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 5,666
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Re: Our weekend in the Big Easy -- May 19-21
It is great so far, Sarah! More please...
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05-30-2006, 06:44 AM
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#6
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Community Rank: Adventurer 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 881
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Re: Our weekend in the Big Easy -- May 19-21
I absolutely adore New Orleans!!! If you find time, go to the French Market and take the trolley to the Garden District! That town is truely amazing!
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05-30-2006, 07:05 AM
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#7
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Community Rank: Navigator 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Guilford, CT
Concierge Level: 2
Posts: 6,938
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Re: Our weekend in the Big Easy -- May 19-21
Great start!! I always wanted to go to New Orleans and your pictures make me feel like I am there.
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05-30-2006, 07:09 AM
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#8
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RED SOX NATION!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854
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Re: Our weekend in the Big Easy -- May 19-21
Great updates and pictures Sarah!
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05-30-2006, 08:26 AM
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#9
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Community Rank: Legend 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 18,767
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Re: Our weekend in the Big Easy -- May 19-21
What a great beginning!!! I love all the pictures Sarah!! More please!!
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05-30-2006, 10:00 AM
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#10
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Tulsa, OK
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 21,627
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Re: Our weekend in the Big Easy -- May 19-21
Great pictures of N.O., brings back lots of memories.
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05-30-2006, 10:04 AM
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#11
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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: Our weekend in the Big Easy -- May 19-21
Great start Sarah!!! Glad they were able to find you a room at the hotel!! Love the pictures!! Can't wait for more!!
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05-30-2006, 10:31 AM
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#12
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Community Rank: Adventurer
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 726
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Re: Our weekend in the Big Easy -- May 19-21
I'm so glad that you started your report, I was really hoping you'd do one for this trip. More please!
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05-30-2006, 11:18 AM
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#13
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Tinkerbell's Aunt
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: McHenry IL
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 13,254
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Re: Our weekend in the Big Easy -- May 19-21
Sarah - Great report! New Orleans is where I went on my honey moon with my ex - 28 years ago next month. I haven't been back since, but it still looks the same. Too bad the lines were long at the Cafe du Monde. I [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] beignets! Can't wait to get some in October when I stay at POFQ. Waiting for more.........
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05-30-2006, 11:34 AM
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#14
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But why is the rum gone?
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Needville, Texas
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 12,286
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Re: Our weekend in the Big Easy -- May 19-21
Great start Sarah sorry about the problems checking in.
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05-30-2006, 03:31 PM
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#15
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PassPorter Message Board Manager
 PassPorter Guide Author
Community Rank: Legend VIP 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285
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Re: Our weekend in the Big Easy -- May 19-21
Great report so far Sarah. You know New Orleans has just never appealed to me, but seeing your photos is making me think that we should add it to the list of places we need to visit one day... [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/whistling2.gif[/img]
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