Living the dream and remembering the Bagman LIVE UPDATE 10/2 - Page 28 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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There are other changes as well.
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We go on to the joy and through the tears
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Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
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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.
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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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My goodness, you had a time getting a hotel in Toronto. So sorry that the down turn with the pound has made everything more expensive. But the hotel you chose sounds like it is very well located.
My goodness, you had a time getting a hotel in Toronto. So sorry that the down turn with the pound has made everything more expensive. But the hotel you chose sounds like it is very well located.
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.
Sorry to hear about you losing the 10% discount as it would have made a cheaper trip, especially with the British Pound now.
I hope to eventually visit the 9/11 memorial but tough to do so as somewhat emotional as living just outside of NYC.
I visited ground zero about five weeks after the terrorist attacks and it was surreal beyond belief, until you see it close up! What you saw on TV is nothing from the sights, smells and overall devastation. Just mind boggling how any human being could do that and inflict so much terror, death and destruction just for religion and politics baffles me!
I was with a friend that day and we just decided to see it for ourselves as we were in NYC for the U2 concert at Madison Square Garden that night. U2 made it a better day with a great show and near the end of their show brought a number of NYC police, fireman and emergency personnel, who were involved in the 9/11 attacks!
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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!
Sorry to hear about you losing the 10% discount as it would have made a cheaper trip, especially with the British Pound now.
It would've been, but sadly these things happen - you take a chance on the exchange rate every time you visit a foreign country.
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I hope to eventually visit the 9/11 memorial but tough to do so as somewhat emotional as living just outside of NYC.
I can understand that.
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I visited ground zero about five weeks after the terrorist attacks and it was surreal beyond belief, until you see it close up! What you saw on TV is nothing from the sights, smells and overall devastation. Just mind boggling how any human being could do that and inflict so much terror, death and destruction just for religion and politics baffles me!
I really just cannot even begin to imagine what it was like.
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I was with a friend that day and we just decided to see it for ourselves as we were in NYC for the U2 concert at Madison Square Garden that night. U2 made it a better day with a great show and near the end of their show brought a number of NYC police, fireman and emergency personnel, who were involved in the 9/11 attacks!
I hope to eventually visit the 9/11 memorial but tough to do so as somewhat emotional as living just outside of NYC.
I visited ground zero about five weeks after the terrorist attacks and it was surreal beyond belief, until you see it close up! What you saw on TV is nothing from the sights, smells and overall devastation. Just mind boggling how any human being could do that and inflict so much terror, death and destruction just for religion and politics baffles me!
I think that's my issue as well. Dave works at the Pentagon but luckily was in Jacksonville, FL that day on a business trip. My metro goes through the Pentagon. I actually catch it at the Pentagon station. Although it didn't stop that day or for months afterwards, you could smell the jet fuel and the charred debris.
I think that's my issue as well. Dave works at the Pentagon but luckily was in Jacksonville, FL that day on a business trip. My metro goes through the Pentagon. I actually catch it at the Pentagon station. Although it didn't stop that day or for months afterwards, you could smell the jet fuel and the charred debris.
Oh my goodness. I had no idea it was like that, although now you say it, it makes sense. How terrible.
Pre-trip report – part twenty seven: what’s at the Food and Wine Festival
Wednesday 29 June
Today’s All Ears newsletter had a link to their latest update on the Food and Wine Festival: http://allears.net/tp/ep/epcot-food-and-wine-festival.htm I had a look at the Eat to the Beat concerts and was disappointed we’ll just miss Sugar Ray (26 – 28 September and we head out on the Dream on 26 September ) but we will be there for Air Supply on 20 September, our first night there, so maybe we’ll go and see them. I’ve added them into the itinerary.
Under the special ticketed events, they do have this:
Behind the Scenes at Trader Sam's Grog Grotto
WHERE: Trader Sam's Grog Grotto at the Polynesian Village Resort
WHEN: September 21, 28; October 5, 12 -- noon to 2 p.m.
PRICE: $99 per person, plus tax, gratuity included.
This entertaining lunch event includes a tour of Trader Sam's, the iconic eatery where island fantasies come to life. Guests will learn about the restaurant's mystical history and how its famed specialty drinks and Asian-influenced menu are created to reflect the kitschy, colorful environment. Guests will be immersed in the experience by learning how to mix their favorite dark and light spirits into island drinks paired with unique spirits selections.
Tempting as this is, it’s our day at Universal Studios, and we didn’t manage to get there on our last trip, and I don’t want to miss out this time, so I think we’ll have to give this a miss. What a shame. This really appealed to me as well:
The Parisian Afternoon, Sandwiches, Macarons and Bubbles! - Relax and recharge with an assortment of finger sandwiches and savory mignardises, followed by an assortment of petits fours and macarons, all with unlimited mimosas.
WHERE: Monsieur Paul, France pavilion in Epcot
WHEN: Select Saturdays, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
PRICE: $55 per person plus tax, gratuity included
However, to do it, we’d have to ditch lunch at the Boathouse, and dinner at Tiffin’s that day, as they’re already fairly tight together, and much as I love my macarons, I just can’t bring myself to do that. Oh Disney, why couldn’t you have done this on another day, then we’d definitely have been there!
However, it was when I got to the bottom of that page, I got a huge shock. Literally I shrieked out loud and Mark just stared at me, but I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. We did the Party for the Senses back in either 2006 or 2008, I honestly can’t remember which now and back then, it was expensive, but since then, it’s increased to stupid prices. Well, this year really does take the biscuit.
Party for the Senses -- Feast on this tribute to the sensory arts. While sampling delicacies from more than 50 tasting stations, attendees can take in an evening of entertainment specially created for that night.
WHERE: World ShowPlace (Epcot admission required.)
WHEN: Select Fridays and Saturdays, 7 - 9:30 p.m.: October 1, 8*, 15**, 22, 28***and 29***
Category 1: Wine View Lounge -- includes private reserved table, entrance into World Showplace at 6:45 p.m., specialty cocktail toast, premium bar, artisanal cheese station and more. Limited availability.
$329 per person, plus tax, gratuity included
Category 2: Reserved Seating -- reserved table on the main floor, entrance into World ShowPlace at 6:45 p.m. and a specialty cocktail toast. Limited availability.
$199 per person, plus tax, gratuity included
Category 3: Party for the Senses -- general admission.
Price: $169 per person, plus tax, gratuity included
*Party for the Senses featuring chefs from Disney Springs
**Party for the Senses Featuring Disney Chefs from Around the World
***Party for the Senses Yelloween Masquerade. Celebrate Halloween in this elegant masquerade setting. Dress code: Stylish and charming! Dress up in chic yellow and black.
Seriously – how much?! Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it, but I wouldn’t pay the base price of $169 per person, plus tax, never mind the top price of $329. I just don’t get who Disney are aiming at these days. I’m sure I’ve said it before (probably in this pre-trip report ) but sooner or later, surely they are going to run out of people to pay that sort of money?
Thursday 30 June
Well, it’s been quite the day as far as this trip goes… are you ready? OK, let’s go!
I have booked our hotels for:
Our second night in Ellsworth, Maine, near Acadia National Park. This one is pay when you get there, which isn’t ideal, as I’d prefer to have things paid off before we get there, but it’s a good deal, and cheaper than the one I was looking at.
Our third night in the outskirts of Quebec. We’re going to be staying at a hotel in Levis. Again, it’s pay when you get there, and it is stupidly cheap, which is why I went for it. Try as I might, I could not justify spending £300 (about $390 as the dollar stands today) on staying at the Fairmont on our first night in Quebec, as we won’t get there until probably the evening.
Our fourth night in Quebec and yes we are staying at Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, so I’ve got my wish to stay there, but only for the one night. I just hope it’s worth it, as it is a crazy amount of money.
Our final night of our road trip at Buffalo Airport. I ended up going with the Sleep Inn and Suites, as it was cheaper. I was going to stay at the Hampton Inn, but I couldn’t find out what time they started breakfast and bearing in mind we have an 8:00am flight, that was quite important. The Sleep Inn and Suites breakfast starts at 4:30am, so at least we can eat and their shuttle is 24 hours, whereas the Hampton Inn didn’t specify that. Again, it’s a pay when you get there job, but at least they’re all fairly cheap, which is something…
I literally now only need to book our hotel for Ottawa, and that is all our hotels done. Wow, I can’t believe how much I’ve achieved today – just goes to show what you can do when you take an afternoon off to watch Wimbledon.
I also heard from Heather (ilovedisney247 on the boards), who’s now a Disney Cast Member. I thought she was going to be away during the time we were at Disney, ironically visiting this side of the pond, but by the time we make it to Florida, she’s back! I’m so glad, as it will be lovely to see her. She’s trying to persuade me to go to the Gurgling Suitcase at Old Key West, where she works. She’s now going to be joining us, along with Barb and Bob, for dinner at Morimoto Asia. The ADR gods were smiling on us, and I was able to change our reservation from four to five easily enough and got 6:45pm, instead of 7:00pm. Love it when a plan comes together!
Sunday 3 July
I haven’t updated in a few days, and that might have something to do with the amazing matches taking place this year at Wimbledon. Wow, they really have been something, and they’ve completely captured my attention, leaving little time for anything else.
Today, I had a look at the park hours, and updated Animal Kingdom, as it’s now closing at 7:30pm each night, rather than 5:00pm. I assume that means any night-time shows (maybe the Jungle Book, maybe Rivers of Light – who knows at this stage? ) will probably be at 7:30pm. Hopefully our Tiffins booking at 5:00pm is reasonable timing for that. There’s still nothing about night time shows for our stay, so I assume that also means no dining packages are available either.
I have put in the show details for Animal Kingdom and the Studios, as I find days there are more dependent on show times. What struck me was how many performances there are in each park. I don’t remember Voyage of the Little Mermaid being on every 25-30 minutes continuously before. I wonder whether there are more shows at both parks to make up for the construction work taking place there.
I haven’t bothered with shows at the other two parks, as there’s nothing showing for the Magic Kingdom, outside of the Festival of Fantasy parade and character meets. As for Epcot, to me, part of the attraction of World Showcase is coming across performers by chance. It’s about the only thing at Disney that I do leave to chance these days, and I don’t want to take that excitement away, if that makes sense?
A countdown has been started in the Facebook group, following the trend of using everyday objects. I’m sure you’ve seen that idea somewhere in your friends’ posts. Anyway, ours now stands at 81 days, which is a bit surreal, given ours on the boards is currently showing 71. Actually, I think one or the other must be out, the more I think about it. We fly out on 10 September, and Bagman Days really only starts when everyone gets in on 22 September, and that’s not 10 days apart. Weird…
Ok, I have now double checked and our countdown is definitely 100% correct. My goodness, less than seven weeks to go – where is the time going?
Next: can we get into the DVC Member Safari Spectacular?
WOW some great updates! Glad you got all your hotels book. Hampton Inns usually start breakfast at 600am. I've never seen one earlier.
that's the info I needed. That won't be early enough for us, so we'll have to grab something at the airport.
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I'm glad that you are getting to see Princess Sharon and Heather as well. I hope that I get to see both of them too.
Hopefully you should be able to see Heather, but Sharon won't be meeting us (as far as I know) on the WDW section of our trip. We have some plans with her (sort of) for other parts...
Oh my gosh!! You will the Fairmont!! We stayed there the last time we were in Quebec in 2015. It is fabulous!! . You are getting to see some nice parts of the northeast as well. You'll really enjoy it!!
Oh my gosh!! You will the Fairmont!! We stayed there the last time we were in Quebec in 2015. It is fabulous!! . You are getting to see some nice parts of the northeast as well. You'll really enjoy it!!
Oh thanks - that is so good to know! It was a lot of money and I am just hoping it's worth it, but it sounds as if it is.
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the balloon flight at night! It is fantastic! We saw some of the fireworks from up there! We had such a great time!
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What you saw on TV is nothing from the sights, smells and overall devastation. 
Just mind boggling how any human being could do that and inflict so much terror, death and destruction just for religion and politics baffles me!
We did the Party for the Senses back in either 2006 or 2008, I honestly can’t remember which now 
and back then, it was expensive, but since then, it’s increased to stupid prices. Well, this year really does take the biscuit. 
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it, but I wouldn’t pay the base price of $169 per person, plus tax, never mind the top price of $329. I just don’t get who Disney are aiming at these days. I’m sure I’ve said it before (probably in this pre-trip report 
I’m so glad, as it will be lovely to see her. She’s trying to persuade me to go to the Gurgling Suitcase at Old Key West, where she works. She’s now going to be joining us, along with Barb and Bob, for dinner at Morimoto Asia. The ADR gods were smiling on us, and I was able to change our reservation from four to five easily enough and got 6:45pm, instead of 7:00pm. Love it when a plan comes together! 
) will probably be at 7:30pm. Hopefully our Tiffins booking at 5:00pm is reasonable timing for that. There’s still nothing about night time shows for our stay, so I assume that also means no dining packages are available either. 
that's the info I needed. That won't be early enough for us, so we'll have to grab something at the airport. 
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