Living the dream and remembering the Bagman LIVE UPDATE 10/2 - Page 23 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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I'm finally getting a chance to read through your pre-trip report. As usual - it seems that you have an epic vacation planned on our side of the pond. I love to read your planning journey - you have a knack for capturing reader's attention.
Thanks!
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I did want to say that although Canada may have a better exchange rate, you may want to be cognizant of sales taxes. Ontario currently charges 13%!!
Ok, good to know...
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Merrimack Premium Outlets doesn't currently have a Bath and Body Works shop, but you'll likely be driving right by the Mall of NH, on Route 293, as you head towards Maine. There is a shop there - and when you combine their sales, with a coupon code (I currently have a 20% off offer, valid for the month of September), and my lovely states lack of any sales tax - SOLD!
Mmmm... I'll have to look into exchange rates, as it may still be cheaper in Canada.
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That way, you can save your cash for fun on your travels, and still smell nice.
Love it!
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I'm so looking forward to getting together with good friends - but there will certainly be some sad and difficult moments. Bill was a special person - and will never be forgotten.
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Certainly amazing with Andy as he's not only my favorite tennis player but probably one of my favorite athletes overall! He's a real class act as I think I may have said before!
I don't think you have. He is a class act and what I love about him is the changes we've seen in him over the years in terms of the physical strength he now has and the mental determination. He didn't have that when he started out and it's been wonderful to see him develop both.
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Very strange with the USA not ever winning a mens' singles title in tennis before considering how many great players the USA has had and perhaps many of the top ones have not appeared! The latter is ridiculous and only one reason they don't appear and that is $$$! Time to put your ego away and represent your country, which to me is much more important as you have enough!
Oh I am with you completely! There's nothing more important to me than having the opportunity to proudly represent your country.
Pre-trip report – part twenty two: we’re going – whatever the price!
Monday 9 May
I read today on the boards that you can now book Fastpasses for the night-time safari, which is very neat, although I’m not sure that’s a good use of a Fastpass, given you wouldn’t be able to get any additional ones, as you’d still have one to use late in the evening. Still, it’s something worth keeping in mind….
I got an offer through from Hotels.com, which was a 12% discount, valid for one day only. Given they usually only do 10%, I figured I’d have a look and see what was out there, given we have a little bit of give in this month’s credit card statement. In the end, I got our hotel in Montreal for two nights all paid for. We’ll be staying at Le Square Phillips Hotel and Suites, which is very well rated on TripAdvisor, and our booking comes with free breakfast, and free Wi-Fi. None of the hotels comes with free parking, but that’s hardly surprising, given we’re staying in the centre of a city. Oh and it just happens to have an indoor heated pool… Just my type of hotel!
Wednesday 11 May
This morning, I had an email from Disney Cruise Line about our forthcoming cruise on the Dream. It’s the standard email they often send out, telling you when you can start making your cruise bookings. That’s right in the middle of our Baltic cruise, which I already knew. That’s a bit of a pain, but we’ll make the best of it. Probably the only thing we’ll need to book at that point is Palo brunch, as usually you can leave dinner for a while. We may also go for dinner at Remy, but we haven’t yet decided about that.
I was listening to the WDW Radio podcast as I drove to work today (don’t worry, I do listen to the PassPorter Moms podcast as well – of course! ) and they were talking about Trader Sam’s. Now I thought it was a lot less popular now than when it first opened, but apparently it is, so we’ll definitely be sure to get there for opening. I also learnt that if you sit on the outdoor patio, you can get a special drink that isn’t served inside. Of course, it’ll just be my luck that it’s got some form of tree fruit (apple, peaches, pears, nectarines, cherry, apricots or plums) in it, which I’m allergic to, but I’m intrigued by that.
I was intrigued by a link in the All Ears newsletter all about complimentary photo kiosks for DVC Members. Apparently you can now print a keepsake photo at various DVC resorts and you can then add either DVC 25th anniversary graphics or something specific to the resort. The latter sounds more appealing to me. In addition, you can also save your images on to your PhotoPass account. Given we’re going to be staying in three different DVC resorts this visit, maybe we’ll try and see if we can do one in each resort.
Thursday 12 May
I was very moved by the photos posted on Facebook by friends of Jan, Bill’s widow. She’s at National Police Week, which I’d never heard of, perhaps not surprisingly, given we’re not American. However, what an amazing event it seems to be. I love the way that those who pay the ultimate sacrifice are remembered in the States.
I don’t say that lightly and it’s also worth saying that over here, we have nothing like that for one very simple reason. If one police officer is killed in the line of duty in a year, then it’s a massive deal. You are talking top story on the news, it’s that rare. I know we had one who was run down a few months ago and, before that, I can only remember the two female police officers who were killed, and that must be at least three or four years ago now.
Friday 13 May
I found a photo today on Facebook at what I can only assume is the National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial. On it is Bill’s name and the photo of him we all became only too familiar with, as it was the one used in news stories all around the States and indeed worldwide, as the story certainly made it over to the UK. It really brought back all the feelings of loss I remember so well from that fateful evening when I found out from Facebook what had happened. It really brings it home to you that he is gone, and while I know that’s almost a silly thing to say, as I know what happened, sometimes you almost think it was some horrible nightmare, and he will just turn up at Disney some time in the future.
Saturday 14 May
Gosh, I feel like a broken record nearly every day at the moment, but every time I log on to Facebook, Jan has posted something else beautiful in memory of Bill. Today it’s a print she was presented with, which was just stunning. I really am awe struck and so proud of everything that’s being done to commemorate Bill’s life and his sacrifice. I can’t begin to imagine how Jan’s feeling, but I would hope that everything they’re doing is helping to ease her grief at least a little… It really is touching to see all these amazing tributes.
Aside from my somber recent entries, I have been doing a little more planning. I’m starting to look at alternative hotels to stay in Quebec City, as that Fairmont deal wasn’t as good as I first mistakenly thought it was. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind spending money to stay in a nice hotel, but this does seem to be a little over the top price wise. I have found another option, the Hotel Chateau Bellevue, which is much more reasonably priced, and is well located, and most importantly, has good ratings on TripAdvisor.
While I was ferreting around on the Internet, I also found a story on DVC News that interested me. It says that there are some perks for DVC Members on Disney Cruise Line, including 10% off any non-discounted digital photo package (I’m not sure I can see us using that), 10% off merchandise purposes of $50 or more (now that I can see us using, although we’re already Castaway Club members, so I’m not sure how much use we’ll get of this) and 20% savings on massages and facial treatments during port days. Now, given one of our port days is Nassau, I could see us using this!
I also found this on the Disney Parks Blog: 2016 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival now 62 days of great eats, trend-setting beverages, live entertainment. It doesn’t tell me that much, but I was intrigued by the sound of the vegan Greek nachos and the hands-on experiences with chefs, bakers and mixologists sound interesting to say the least. At least I’ve also heard of some of the celebrity chefs, which makes a pleasant change. The reference to the Eat to the Beat concerts said Wang Chung would be opening it, and Wilson Phillips and Boyz II Men would be returning, but that’s about it.
Tuesday 17 May
Well, it seems that some of our group may be heading to the Halloween Party after all, judging by the conversation on the Facebook group when I logged on this morning. It was Marie’s (CRCrazy) post that really caught my eye:
Well, after thinking about it for the night, I'm planning to go to the party. If there is one thing I learned from Bill it is to appreciate the moment. Life is short, and moments, once passed, are gone forever. They live on in our memories but can never be repeated. For me this trip is about celebrating moments. 2015 and 2016 have brought me both great sadness and great joy. The magic lives on.
I found what she said very inspirational, and it was a good reminder of why we’re going at the end of the day.
From then on, I noticed various other people posting that they either definitely would be doing the party or might be if others did. I mentioned to Mark over breakfast that the Halloween Party might be a goer after all…
Little did I know what would happen later on….
When I logged on to Facebook in the evening, I discovered that a friend of ours, Keith, had died from cancer. We’d only found out he had cancer very recently, and it was a huge shock. We first met Keith through his wife Elaine, who I knew on the boards. We both shared a love of a certain donkey, and a wicked sense of humour. As they lived in Florida, we enjoyed meeting up with them on a number of occasions. Elaine had beaten cancer earlier in her life, and I was devastated when I found out it had returned. She fought an exceptionally brave battle with it, and she made her 50th birthday, which I know was a personal goal of hers. Sadly, she lost that battle in March 2013.
You can imagine how it felt to discover that her husband has now also been taken by that evil disease. Perhaps more frustratingly, we found out that Keith had found a mole, which had been present since before Elaine’s death, and he just didn’t do anything about it. Such a complete tragedy and such a waste. I still cannot believe they’re both gone, far too young.
Anyway, suddenly Marie’s words from earlier were even more poignant, especially this bit: Life is short, and moments, once passed, are gone forever. That was it. Re-reading it, I knew exactly what I was going to do. We were going to the Halloween Party, whatever the price, and I don’t say that flippantly. I don’t particularly like paying what Disney is charging this year, as I don’t want them to think it’s acceptable, because frankly it isn’t. To me, this is more about not knowing what’s around the corner, and making the best of everything. Even if there’s only a small group of us, it will be precious time we can spend with friends.
How nice that you decided to do the party. I understand what you mean about the chance to be with friends outweighing the cost. I'm sorry for the loss of your friends. So very sad.
Amen-life is too short and we don't know how long we have with those we love.
Our first trip to WDW as a family was spurred by watching another family struggle with their son's fight with cancer. Unfortunately, cancer took him before the family could take the scheduled WDW wish trip to Give Kids the World village. He was a month older than my son--3 years old at the time.
Great location in Montreal! Years ago, DH and I stayed at the Fairmont there, so you're just a block or two away. If I recall, the Underground city and main train terminal is directly below the Fairmont, so easy peasy to anywhere! But we walked above ground, and Old Town is not far at all.
Your hotel in Quebec City is in a great little area. Just two little streets over from a main dining/shopping street, and it will feel slightly more residential. Which I think is great! Plus you're on the far end of the Terrasse Dufferin which will make for a wonderful walk. I think it's also up a slight hill, so perhaps a better view from your room? I tried to get a place in that area too, but it's hard to get 5 people in a room there! We ended up at Hotel Clarendon, about 4 blocks down from yours. It's the oldest hotel in QC.
(I know you'll be walking down Rue St. Louis... somewhere in the middle is a tree near the street. Look at the bottom of the large roots and you'll see a cannonball. We were told that the cannonball was buried below ground years ago during a battle, and has since grown up with the tree. I thought Mark would get a kick out of that too!)
Life is indeed short. I'm so very glad you guys are all getting together to do this in Bill's honor. Really and truly, live and enjoy every moment!
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Oh cool - that sounds like a lot of fun! Did Colin enjoy it?
He did not partake! The only other character I got was Chewbacca. That was it.
I agree with you on the FP for the night safari. I originally did that then changed it as I didn't want to wait that long for another FP, which didn't matter in the end anyway! I'm all for living in the moment. Enjoy the party!
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Just getting caught up. There is so much exciting new stuff you have to look forward to at WDW!! Glad you decided to do the party. I've only done the Halloween Party at DL, but if the one at WDW is half as fun, you'll have a great time!
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Your hotel selections in Canada look beautiful! So sorry about your friends Keith and Elaine. Life is short and you must live everyday to the fullest, so I can understand why you'd want to go to the Halloween Party to enjoy spending it with good friends. Your plans are really all coming together!
How nice that you decided to do the party. I understand what you mean about the chance to be with friends outweighing the cost. I'm sorry for the loss of your friends. So very sad.
Amen-life is too short and we don't know how long we have with those we love.
No we don't. When I was a journalist, I was always terrified that one day I'd be reporting on someone killed in a car crash and I'd know someone. I am so glad that never happened, but when we lost Lorie (for the life of me, I cannot remember her board name now) and her husband Glenn in the Joplin tornado, we saw all about that on the news when we woke up. I was in pieces when I found out they were two of the victims.
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Our first trip to WDW as a family was spurred by watching another family struggle with their son's fight with cancer. Unfortunately, cancer took him before the family could take the scheduled WDW wish trip to Give Kids the World village. He was a month older than my son--3 years old at the time.
Oh my goodness, that is just horrendous. I can't even begin to imagine what that family must've gone through.
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Great location in Montreal! Years ago, DH and I stayed at the Fairmont there, so you're just a block or two away. If I recall, the Underground city and main train terminal is directly below the Fairmont, so easy peasy to anywhere! But we walked above ground, and Old Town is not far at all.
Oh that is so good to know!
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Your hotel in Quebec City is in a great little area. Just two little streets over from a main dining/shopping street, and it will feel slightly more residential. Which I think is great! Plus you're on the far end of the Terrasse Dufferin which will make for a wonderful walk. I think it's also up a slight hill, so perhaps a better view from your room? I tried to get a place in that area too, but it's hard to get 5 people in a room there! We ended up at Hotel Clarendon, about 4 blocks down from yours. It's the oldest hotel in QC.
Ah well, there may be more changes to come to the hotel in Quebec City... that's all I'll say for now.
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(I know you'll be walking down Rue St. Louis... somewhere in the middle is a tree near the street. Look at the bottom of the large roots and you'll see a cannonball. We were told that the cannonball was buried below ground years ago during a battle, and has since grown up with the tree. I thought Mark would get a kick out of that too!)
Oh neat! We'll have to keep an eye out for that!
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Life is indeed short. I'm so very glad you guys are all getting together to do this in Bill's honor. Really and truly, live and enjoy every moment!
He did not partake! The only other character I got was Chewbacca. That was it.
I thought as much.
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I agree with you on the FP for the night safari. I originally did that then changed it as I didn't want to wait that long for another FP, which didn't matter in the end anyway! I'm all for living in the moment. Enjoy the party!
Of course, if you're doing something else in the morning and heading to a park early, then having a break at your resort in the afternoon, and going to Animal Kingdom in the evening, it would then make perfect sense. Otherwise no....
Just getting caught up. There is so much exciting new stuff you have to look forward to at WDW!!
I know, I think there's more new this trip than any other previous visit.
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Glad you decided to do the party. I've only done the Halloween Party at DL, but if the one at WDW is half as fun, you'll have a great time!
Oh my goodness, you must do the WDW one! We've done the Disneyland one (albeit back in 2008 and I know it's changed since then) and the WDW one has so much more to it - it's as if it's on steroids!
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Time to put your ego away and represent your country, which to me is much more important as you have enough!
There's nothing more important to me than having the opportunity to proudly represent your country.
Just my type of hotel! 
) and they were talking about Trader Sam’s. Now I thought it was a lot less popular now than when it first opened, but apparently it is, so we’ll definitely be sure to get there for opening. I also learnt that if you sit on the outdoor patio, you can get a special drink that isn’t served inside. Of course, it’ll just be my luck that it’s got some form of tree fruit (apple, peaches, pears, nectarines, cherry, apricots or plums) in it, which I’m allergic to, but I’m intrigued by that. 
The only other character I got was Chewbacca. That was it. 
It just brings everything into perspective. 
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