MOA6: We're not perfect, and neither are our scrapbooks. A group-effort TR! - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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!
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.
MOA6: We're not perfect, and neither are our scrapbooks. A group-effort TR!
I don't have pictures from the weekend, so those who had their cameras (all 85 of you ), please post them! I'm really hoping everyone will join in with their own versions of the weekend.
Who: There were a total of 13 of us in attendance this year:
stretch2864 (Vicky) -- money collector, spreadsheet creator, reservation maker, and five-time MOA meeter MARV (Michelle) -- Friday night party planner/host and six-time MOA meeter maggieworkman (Maggie) -- MOA5's winner of the tiara for most completed scrapbook pages and six-time MOA meeter wdwlovers (Denise) and her mom Sally -- scrapping maniacs, all-around good peeps, and six-time MOA meeters judyjo (Judy) -- a MOA meet newbie and my "where the heck did it go?" twin WDWfan (Lesley) -- another MOA meet newbie and Maggie's Chicago-to-Minneapolis carpool buddy Carousel96 (Carolyn) -- new to MOA meets, but not new to scrapping with the Twin Cities-area PP'ers, brave soul! rescuesk (Sue) -- MOA meet newbie and winner of the "traveled the farthest" award (if we actually had such a thing) boBºoº (Bob) -- three-time MOA meeter and the "and gentleman" part of any and all announcements at Archiver's (as in, "Okay ladies ... errr, and gentleman ... it's time for another giveaway!") whoSEZ (Sandy) -- five-time MOA meeter and overachiever who thought she could finish four mostly finished scrapbooks at MOA6 Jan and Jean -- my mom and sister, who joined us Saturday night at Archiver's; I believe both are two-time MOA meeters (Jean might be a three-timer, not sure)
What: MOA 6 -- what started off as a Saturday lunch and a visit to the Disney store in 2002 has grown bit by bit over the years and has now evolved into lunch on Friday, a party on Friday night, and a full day (9:30 am to 11:00 pm) of shopping, scrapping, and lunch on Saturday. Can't wait to find out what we add to the plans next year!
The Planning
Really, the planning starts at one MOA meet for the next year's meet. We're always thinking about which weekends will or won't work for people, and we'd narrowed it down to September. Then in March, we picked the specific weekend (September 21-22, 2007) and the plans have been rolling since then. Vicky was kind enough to collect money and make reservations for those doing the Scrap Mania at Archiver's on Saturday night. She also made our lunch reservations at Tucci Benucch. Bob and I were originally planning to host the Friday night party, but we moved over the summer and our new place wouldn't hold the entire group. Besides, everyone wanted to see Michelle's purple wall, so Michelle's house it was!
At one point, it looked like we'd have more than 20 people at this year's meet, but as it always goes, quite a few people had to drop out. We hope you can all join us next year!! (For the record, we're tentatively leaning toward the last weekend in September or the second weekend in October. Keep an eye on the Backyard forum for further info.)
Friday, September 21
Bob works nights, but he'd long ago decided to take Friday night off so he wouldn't miss the Friday night party at Michelle's. Somewhere in the middle of the week, we started talking about meeting Vicky and Sue for lunch on Friday. Vicky was going to miss the Friday night party, so she'd asked if anyone was available for lunch instead, and it looked like Sue was the only one of the out-of-towners who would make it to the area by lunchtime. Bob got home from work about 8:00 that morning, and I thought he'd want to sleep for a bit, but instead, he packed his scrapbooking stuff for Saturday. I did as much work as I could and then decided to put it away without feeling guilty about it, which mostly worked.
We got to the Mall just a few minutes before noon and would have been on time except that the escalator we needed to take was broken, leaving us with no other option but to keep walking around the 2nd floor until we got to a working Down escalator. Thankfully, the next one was fully operational, so at least we were on the right level! Backtracked to the Rainforest Cafe and found Vicky and Sue right away. Sue gave me the biggest hug, pointed out the RFC light-up glasses she was going to buy for Steve, and then shared a few details of her rotten flight to MN that morning. We told her we were glad she hadn't flown in the night before, when we had awful storms (complete with multiple tornado sirens).
Lunch was great fun -- lots of laughs about how Vicky met her BF, Kurt -- and the gentleman next to us was kind enough to take our picture. It's a great restaurant -- one of my favorites at MOA -- but it's so LOUD!! We made do.
After a nice long lunch, Bob and I headed home so I could work just a little bit more before the party. Vicky and Sue stayed for a bit more shopping.
Next up: Bob's, Vicky's, and Sue's thoughts (hint, hint) ... the party at Michelle's ... and the first of many MOA6 slogans.
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.
Thanks Sandy for getting the ball rolling. Even though I live the closest to MOA, I didn't think to bring a camera either. So I am going to have to depend on everyone else who had a camera to fill in the visuals!
As Sandy mentioned above, I wasn't able to attend the Friday night gala at Michelle's house due to my grad school classes. So when I found out that Sue was going to be heading into the Twin Cities early on Friday, we made arrangements to meet for lunch at the Rainforest Cafe at MOA. I happened to be chatting on AIM with Sandy the night before, and she told me that she and Bob might try to make it as well. As I was headed for MOA on Friday, I had a phone call from Sue. She just wanted to let me know that the Pennsylvania contingent had arrived! I told her that I would meet up with her at the Rainforest Cafe in a few minutes. Shortly thereafter Sandy and Bob showed up as well! I knew we would have a fun lunch. Thankfully Sandy had the foresight to ask the hostess for a table off in a corner. After all, you know how PP's love to chat when they get together!
We had a wonderful time at lunch catching up on everything. I'm surprised that we actually found time to eat! After lunch we decided to head up to Archiver's to confirm our reservations, and put in our requests for dinner the next night. Sandy and Bob needed to head home as Sandy had some work to do before the Friday night gathering. Sue and I then headed to the Disney Store to see what was new. After all what would a MOA meet be without a trip to the Disney Store? Sue picked up a few gifts for family, and I found an Aristocats t-shirt for myself. Then Sue headed back to the hotel for a nap, and I headed home to study for a bit before class that night.
Next up: Friday at Michelle's (by someone other than me) I did call on my way home from class Friday night, and it sounded like everyone was having a good time.
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 Planning:
This is my house 6 days before the meet. That's my husband, he's lost the rest of his hair over all the prep for the party.
Just kidding, it's his friend who came to help (6 days before the party) because I wanted my laundry room finished.
This is my husband, he still has some hair after all the things I "requested" he do in prep for company!
This is us snacking...(l to r, Denise, Sandy, Sue, Lesly, Maggie)
Here we are panning for gold.
O.K., we're playing a dice game (with Disney character dice, of course). Everyone who came Friday night were scrappers, so I set out items I made from my Wishblade (WB), and if you rolled a pair of dice, you got your choice. (Shown: Sandy, Maggie, Sue)
I also made little gift bags for everyone, with WB titles. (Lesly)
Great start, can't wait to read all about the weekend.
Michelle, I always say that the best way to get your house looking good is to invite company over!
Lynda
Yes, but this is what the bedroom that Maggie stayed in looked like 5 days before she arrived. We just had old carpet sitting in there, not installed. We (uhumm, I) decided it would be a good time to get that new carpet in the basement!
My advice, get your house looking good, but plan to install carpet and vinyl in your basement more than 6 days before your guests arrive!
About This Page: 
), please post them! I'm really hoping everyone will join in with their own versions of the weekend.
Bob and I were originally planning to host the Friday night party, but we moved over the summer and our new place wouldn't hold the entire group. Besides, everyone wanted to see Michelle's purple wall, so Michelle's house it was! 
(For the record, we're tentatively leaning toward the last weekend in September or the second weekend in October. Keep an eye on the Backyard forum for further info.)
Backtracked to the Rainforest Cafe and found Vicky and Sue right away. Sue gave me the biggest hug, pointed out the RFC light-up glasses she was going to buy for Steve, and then shared a few details of her rotten flight to MN that morning. We told her we were glad she hadn't flown in the night before, when we had awful storms (complete with multiple tornado sirens). 
-- and the gentleman next to us was kind enough to take our picture. It's a great restaurant -- one of my favorites at MOA -- but it's so LOUD!! We made do. 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
I told her that I would meet up with her at the Rainforest Cafe in a few minutes. Shortly thereafter Sandy and Bob showed up as well! I knew we would have a fun lunch. Thankfully Sandy had the foresight to ask the hostess for a table off in a corner. After all, you know how PP's love to chat when they get together! 
After lunch we decided to head up to Archiver's to confirm our reservations, and put in our requests for dinner the next night. Sandy and Bob needed to head home as Sandy had some work to do before the Friday night gathering. Sue and I then headed to the Disney Store to see what was new. After all what would a MOA meet be without a trip to the Disney Store? 
PassPorter Guide Author
Judy and Kenzie
Michelle
We just had old carpet sitting in there, not installed. We (uhumm, I) decided it would be a good time to get that new carpet in the basement!
Linear Mode
