Living the dream and remembering the Bagman LIVE UPDATE 10/2 - Page 15 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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So glad Mark's new passport came in, but that application process sounds like a bear. Reading some of your entries from the past reminds me of my own frustration when we were nearing our May trip. I'm still so unsure of what will be going on at AK.
Unfortunately, I don't think it's going to be any clearer for your October trip. You'd have thought things would've moved on over six months, but so far, it hasn't.
Where did you hear that regarding ROL as I'm holding back on my plans for my fall trip in Oct for a Tiffins/ROL dinner package? I hope I don't have to change my plans but plan on my first night experience for the AK, which I can still do. Was looking forward to a ROL/Tiffin's combo! We shall see. I still plan on doing the AK at night for the first time on this day!
I heard it from a friend. I don't know where she heard it from. She said the rumour is Disney are now holding Rivers of Light back for a World Day launch in April 2017, which would be a huge disappointment to a lot of people, if that's true.
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Pre-trip report – part fifteen: Is Disney having an April Fool’s joke a few days early?
Saturday 19 March
The park hours today were for our last full day in WDW, which feels a bit weird actually. It’s almost as if our holiday is coming to an end, more than six months before it begins! I keep reminding myself that means the date for booking ADRs is fast approaching… Thursday by my calculations! That’s when the real work will start, and I suspect I’ll be spending some of our Easter break in Bath and Somerset trying to snag ADRs, given the system will presumably only allow us to book for the dates we’re staying in each resort. That’s how it worked each time, which will mean three separate sets of bookings for our three different resorts.
I heard back from Sheri (skateycat) and she and Danielle (and goodness me, I cannot for the life of me remember Danielle’s board name ) will be joining us for dinner at the Skipper Canteen. We had a lot of going back and forth about who’d be coming, as Sheri’s staying in quite a big group, which sounds like it will be a lot of fun.
Sunday 20 March
Well, today is the last set of park hours for me, so it’s going to feel a bit weird tomorrow not needing to look those up. It’s become a bit of a habit over the last few days. Soon it will be time to try and make ADRs, although it is frustrating that there’s still nothing showing up about dinner at Tiffin’s or the show times for Rivers of Light, as that’s one I won’t be able to snag at this rate, and I can’t see anything changing on that front between now and Thursday.
Monday 21 March
I think we have a final design for the MagicBands honouring Bill, and I have to say it’s a wonderful tribute, beautifully done. I’ll be really proud to wear mine and remember him.
Tuesday 22 March
No developments on planning for our trip today, but I have to mention something that emerged today that I honestly thought was an April Fool’s joke a few days early, but sadly I don’t think it is. Disney have announced a new after hours event in April and May, but it’s not like the Halloween or the Christmas Party. It appears to just be a version of Extra Magic Hours, although everything I’ve read is stressing those will continue, with the park open for an additional three hours. You don’t get special parades or fireworks, but Disney want to charge $149 for the privilege. I just find this absolutely amazing I really have no idea what they’re thinking, and I just hope this proves to be a huge flop for them. It’s not often I say that about Disney, but to me, this is a step too far.
Here’s what the All Ears newsletter had to say about it:
Disney After Hours, a special ticketed event in the Magic Kingdom, has been announced for several dates coming up over the next few months. The $149 (plus tax) ticket will allow guests to stay in the Magic Kingdom for three hours after the park closes. Guests will have the chance to enjoy most of the park's popular attractions and character greetings, such as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain, and Princess Fairytale Hall. In addition, the cost of admission includes ice cream novelties and select beverages.
Dates for the event are:
April 28 and May 5, 2016 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
April 14 and 21, and May 8, 12 and 19, 2016 from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.
For more details or to purchase tickets, call the Disney Reservation Center at (407) 827-7185. Number of tickets to be sold for each evening are limited.
Not a great idea in my book….
Wednesday 23 March
I had the shock of my life this morning when I received an email to say our ESTA status had changed. This is the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation. When I opened the email, it told me that I or we (I wasn’t clear from the email) had had our ESTA cancelled, as we didn’t have an e-passport, which is now required for travel to the States. Ok, first things first, we both have e-passports, even mine, which expires in 2017, as we’ve happily used it in the UK and the US on previous visits.
I quickly logged on to the website, and checked our current ESTA application. All in order. I suspect what happened was that the previous ESTA application was cancelled as it was about to expire, and the system fired out a standard email that claimed it was down to our passports. I know we would’ve got it probably about two years ago, so I suspect that was the problem. Trust me, you want to cancel our ESTA for not having the right passport, you are going to be in big trouble, because we definitely do have the right ones!
In the All Ears newsletter, I found this, which intrigued me:
Additional details about D-Luxe Burger, a new Disney-owned and operated restaurant that is set to open at Disney Springs Town Center this May, have been released. Gourmet burgers on the menu include:
· Classic Cheeseburger: beef patty topped with cheddar, lettuce, tomato and pickle
· Barbeque Classic Burger: beef patty topped with a fried onion ring, smoked Gouda, bacon, barbecue sauce and lettuce
· El Diablo Burger: chorizo-and-signature-blend patty, fried banana peppers, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato and chipotle mayonnaise
· Southern Classic Burger: beef patty, topped with fried-green tomato, pimento cheese, lettuce and bacon
· Cluck Burger: ground chicken patty, garlic herb sauce, avocado, lettuce and tomato
· Veggie Burger: house-made patty topped with Tzatziki, green bean salad, lettuce and tomato
Even though I don’t eat meat, I thought maybe it might have a good quality veggie burger, but looking at the description of it, it really doesn’t appeal at all. I guess I won’t be adding that to the list of places to eat anytime soon.
When I got in from work tonight, there was a post in the Facebook forum, saying that the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party dates have been announced, and there is going to be one on Friday 23 September. I have to say I’m not sure where they’ve been announced, as I couldn’t see anything on the PassPorter boards or All Ears Net, and they’re usually my go-to places for news like this.
Thursday 24 March
I opened up my emails this morning to have another one about our ESTAs. Apparently the email sent yesterday was a mistake, and they sent another one today, apologizing for sending it. Good grief! They need to get their act together, as that’s a serious thing to get wrong.
Well, this morning, it is on the boards about the confirmed Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, and wow, there are more during our stay than I expected. The Friday 23 September one is there, along with one on Wednesday 21 September and another on Sunday 25 September.
I went on to the WDW website, as today’s the day I can start to make ADRs, but sadly the site was just being evil and tempting me. The first date appeared there, but when I tried to make a booking on that day, it told me nothing was available, so I guess the date appears at midnight EST, but presumably the rest of the data doesn’t appear until 6:00am EST. Oh well, it was worth a try anyway.
Well, I got our first ADR – at Boma on the day we arrive in WDW, but irritatingly, even after going into the site via the DVC Member website, which should have told it how long we were staying for, I could still only book the first night. Ugh! This is exactly what’s happened on our last couple of trips, and I guess it’s a glitch with the system somewhere. It’s just a bit of a pain, as frankly it would be nice to not have to log in every day, especially as we’re away over Easter. Ho-hum. Hopefully, one day Disney will fix this… I can but hope anyway…
I did need to go and change my email address, so I played about in My Disney Experience for a while, and tried to find a character to go with my name, but sadly my donkey boy still isn’t showing up. Come on Disney, he’s hugely popular – isn’t it about time you added him?
Where did you hear that regarding ROL as I'm holding back on my plans for my fall trip in Oct for a Tiffins/ROL dinner package? I hope I don't have to change my plans but plan on my first night experience for the AK, which I can still do. Was looking forward to a ROL/Tiffin's combo! We shall see. I still plan on doing the AK at night for the first time on this day!
To be honest, I can't remember which website I read it on since I belong to so many Disney related sites, but I thought I read that in the last few weeks. Let's hope it's just a rumor. We had a trip to WDW in May and thought that we were going to experience it then which was quite a disappointment when they delayed the opening.
For $149 to get in for three hours, those ice cream novelties need to be pretty spectacular. And since its Magic Kingdom, the beverages wouldn't be of the adult variety. Nope, too steep for me. Have you heard whether they're selling?
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Plans are shaping up and glad the ESTA situation is resolved. Too bad with the adrs as that is such a pain to book them each day. I hope Disney resolves the issues in their system, but always one thing after another with their less than user friendly website!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
To be honest, I can't remember which website I read it on since I belong to so many Disney related sites, but I thought I read that in the last few weeks. Let's hope it's just a rumor. We had a trip to WDW in May and thought that we were going to experience it then which was quite a disappointment when they delayed the opening.
I'm starting to think the rumour may be true, as we have heard absolutely nothing over the last couple of months about Rivers of Light and, to me, my guess is that means its start date is going further and further back...
Plans are shaping up and glad the ESTA situation is resolved. Too bad with the adrs as that is such a pain to book them each day. I hope Disney resolves the issues in their system, but always one thing after another with their less than user friendly website!
Oh tell me about it! I've said it before, I do not know why Disney do not do something about their website. Given they are such a huge company and Internet presence these days is everything, I am just amazed they don't sort their act out.
Oh tell me about it! I've said it before, I do not know why Disney do not do something about their website. Given they are such a huge company and Internet presence these days is everything, I am just amazed they don't sort their act out.
I am baffled by this as well as have had many obstacles with their website!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Thanks goodness that email from ESTA was just a mistake! You certainly don't need to be stressing about that - especially when you know all of your passports are in order.
I remember when we were down in May that DVC members were able to get the Disney After Hours tickets for 50% off, but we just couldn't manage late hours that trip, so we didn't do it. Besides even at half off, we weren't sold on its worth. I can't believe the emails from ESTA. That would have me a nervous wreck.
Thanks goodness that email from ESTA was just a mistake! You certainly don't need to be stressing about that - especially when you know all of your passports are in order.
I remember when we were down in May that DVC members were able to get the Disney After Hours tickets for 50% off, but we just couldn't manage late hours that trip, so we didn't do it. Besides even at half off, we weren't sold on its worth.
I remember seeing that and thinking exactly the same as you. Maybe $50 might have been my top limit?
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I can't believe the emails from ESTA. That would have me a nervous wreck.
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Reading some of your entries from the past reminds me of my own frustration when we were nearing our May trip. I'm still so unsure of what will be going on at AK. 
I hope I don't have to change my plans but plan on my first night experience for the AK, which I can still do. Was looking forward to a ROL/Tiffin's combo! 
It’s almost as if our holiday is coming to an end, more than six months before it begins! I keep reminding myself that means the date for booking ADRs is fast approaching… Thursday by my calculations! That’s when the real work will start, and I suspect I’ll be spending some of our Easter break in Bath and Somerset trying to snag ADRs, given the system will presumably only allow us to book for the dates we’re staying in each resort. That’s how it worked each time, which will mean three separate sets of bookings for our three different resorts. 
) will be joining us for dinner at the Skipper Canteen. We had a lot of going back and forth about who’d be coming, as Sheri’s staying in quite a big group, which sounds like it will be a lot of fun. 
Disney have announced a new after hours event in April and May, but it’s not like the Halloween or the Christmas Party. It appears to just be a version of Extra Magic Hours, although everything I’ve read is stressing those will continue, with the park open for an additional three hours. You don’t get special parades or fireworks, but Disney want to charge $149 for the privilege. 
I have to say I’m not sure where they’ve been announced, as I couldn’t see anything on the PassPorter boards or All Ears Net, and they’re usually my go-to places for news like this. 
This is exactly what’s happened on our last couple of trips, and I guess it’s a glitch with the system somewhere. It’s just a bit of a pain, as frankly it would be nice to not have to log in every day, especially as we’re away over Easter. Ho-hum. Hopefully, one day Disney will fix this… I can but hope anyway… 
Come on Disney, he’s hugely popular – isn’t it about time you added him? 
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