Living the dream and remembering the Bagman LIVE UPDATE 10/2 - Page 14 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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I forgot for a moment that you two had a cruise as well until you mentioned Palo. You all really have a wonderful trip planned.
I know, there hasn't been much planning for the cruise in all honesty, as that's probably been the most straightforward element of this vacation. I am really looking forward to the cruise, because it will give us some downtime and the chance to relax, after a very busy two weeks!
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Pre-trip report – part fourteen: that’s an impressive turn around time!
Thursday 10 March
I got an event invitation to the sunset photo meet Sue’s organized for the anniversary of Bill’s death, and I’ve put us both down for that, as we do not want to miss that. We now know it’s at the BoardWalk, so we’ll probably drive over there, and park there, telling them we’re meeting friends in the lounge there, and hopefully we’ll be able to get in…
In the big news today, Mark’s passport has been renewed! That’s a pretty impressive turn around time, given that he only sent it away last Friday, so less than a week.
That now means I can do our ESTA application. For those of you who don’t know what that is, it’s what we have to fill in for the US visa waiver programme. Previously, it used to be a two minute job. Not anymore! Good grief, there were six pages of screens for each of us I had to fill in. Some of it we had to provide under the old system, such as passport details, contact details, and the address where you’d be staying for the first night when you arrive in the States. However, they’ve added a lot more in now, including details of your employer, your parents, and emergency contact details for you, which I can understand.
You also have to answer the standard set of questions, which fortunately have changed over the years, although basically they’re still ones that if you answer to, let’s put it this way, you’re going to struggle to get into the States. It’s things like do you have certain diseases, have you been convicted of crimes, have you ever overstayed in the States on previous trips? You get the idea. I particularly like the one about whether you’ve engaged in terrorist activities, and I’m not being flippant here at all, but can you seriously see anyone answering yes to that one? My goodness, I can imagine you wouldn’t just be stopped from entering the US, you’d probably be getting a knock on the door fairly shortly afterwards from your own country’s police force.
Anyway, after it was all finished, I paid our $28 (they charge you $14 per application now), and it came back as authorisation pending. Ok, that’s not happened previously. Usually, it’s an instantaneous thing. The message says it’s nothing to worry about and it should be sorted within 72 hours, but I was a bit concerned, if I’m honest. Then I thought of something…
Maybe if I log out and log back in, and see what happens? Sure enough, both applications were now approved – phew! I guess we are officially in then!
Sunday 13 March
I have been checking the Walt Disney World website to see if the park hours are up yet for our first day there, Tuesday 20 September, but joy so far. I waited until later in the day, given the time difference, but by 4:20pm, when it should be 10:20am (I think – I believe daylight savings came in for the States last night and we don’t have our clocks move forward until Easter), so I guess they’re just not going to be listed today. Oh well…
The park hours are finally out for our first day, and they’re exactly what I thought they would be, based on the information we’d already had provided to us. There are no listings for parades or entertainment at the Magic Kingdom yet, but Epcot is, and as that’s the park we’re heading to that day, that’s the important thing. Interestingly, I see no mention of IllumiNations, which I seem to recall was the same as the initial information we got, but I still think it will show up in due course… at least I hope so!
Tuesday 15 March
The next day’s worth of park hours are now out, but as it’s for the day we’re planning on going to Universal, they’re not of that much interest to me. I did see that the Magic Kingdom has evening Extra Magic Hours, rather than the morning ones I had written down, but that could be my mistake.
Wednesday 16 March
The park hours today weren’t a surprise at all – completely in line with what I’d anticipated. It is a shame that the day we’re in Epcot is a night they’ve got the Main Street Electrical Parade, but much as I enjoy that, I’m not about to change my plans just to see that.
I got this week’s edition of the All Ears newsletter and I noticed in there that Disney are testing a “preferred parking” programme, allowing you to pay extra for spots nearer the theme park entrance. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, given all the other Orlando theme parks already do this, but the price is a bit steep – another $15 more, and that’s what resort guests have to pay if they want to take advantage of them. Good grief Disney, you know how to hit, don’t you?
I was worried when I saw another news item in there about the Crystal Palace only serving two meals a day – breakfast and dinner. I immediately read that as it was closed for lunch, and of course that’s one of the ADRs I want to get in a few days’ time, but I didn’t read it properly. It’s another money making opportunity for Disney, as far as I can see. Lunch is now essentially dinner, as far as I can tell, with the dinner pricing ($42/adults) starting at 11:30am. Ok, I guess that’s the price I’ve got to pay for seeing my donkey – well, as Disney have pretty much all but removed him from the parks, so be it. I have no choice, as I can’t go to Disney and not see Eeyore.
Thursday 17 March
I had a message back from Barb (Grammy Grumpy) today about ADRs for September. I’d messaged her and Sue (rescuesk) a few days ago to see if they wanted to join us for any of the ADRs we’ve got planned. Barb and Bob will now be joining us for lunch at Spice Road Table and at the Crystal Palace. Yay!
Again, there were no big surprises with the park hours that came out today, but elsewhere there was disappointment…
For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been trying to see if tickets for La Nouba were on sale and every time I’ve gone into the ticketing system, the page has just crashed on me. I’d also noticed that Orlando was showing two shows, one of which is a touring show, Ovo, that we haven’t seen yet. I’d been intrigued to see when it was coming to Orlando, and tonight I found out – from 21 to 25 September. What is it with us and Cirque this trip? They have a touring show, as well as their resident show in New York City (that’s what we’re going to see) the night we’re there, and now another touring show in Orlando while we’re there.
I had a look at the timings and the weekday nights won’t work for us, and the Saturday show times aren’t great. However, the Sunday ones might be possible, as there’s one at 1:30pm, and another at 5:00pm. It’s the day for the Studios, and we’re not huge fans of that park, so if I was going to spend less time in any park, it would be that one. To be honest, so long as we get to enjoy the Star Wars Launch Bay, and maybe do Toy Story Midway Mania, I’d be happy, so that’s a possibility.
Anyway, I went back to Cirque’s main website, and this time, the ticketing system worked for La Nouba, so I found the September dates, and I couldn’t believe what I saw. There are no shows the week we’re there. I suspect this is because they don’t want to be in direct competition with a touring show, which I can understand, but it is such a shame, as we love that show and I was really looking forward to seeing it with Barb and Bob.
On the plus side, it does give us more time that day, as that’s the day we’re off to Universal Studios, and we can have a slightly earlier dinner, so not all is lost, and hopefully La Nouba will still be there when we make it back to WDW – our aim is Christmas 2017. And maybe we will have to go and see Ovo to make up for not being able to see La Nouba? I have some more decisions to make…
Friday 18 March
Yay – Sue and Angie (hopefully, it will depend on her shifts) will be joining us for lunch at Spice Road Table as well, so that’ll be a table for six I’ll be trying to book when ADRs open up next week.
Once again, there were no surprises in the park hours for today that came out, although I do wish Disney would get their act together and update the Animal Kingdom park hours to reflect the night-time activities that are coming to the park in April. It really is getting stupid now, and it’s really tough to plan without knowing when Rivers of Light will be showing. Mind you, given Tiffins hasn’t shown up for ADRs yet, and that’s opening on 22 April, I guess it won’t affect our plans that much for that evening.
Next: Is Disney having an April Fool’s joke a few days early?
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We saw OVO when it was here, and it was excellent! I'd say get tickets - especially since La Nouba is off the table. Plus, it gives you another show on your list!
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Plans are looking good but a bit frustrating with the AK! They still are to this day as the ROL opening has not been announced yet. I'm looking to do a Tiffins dinner package but that's still on hold for my October trip until these are announced and can book one. So for now it's Sanaa and attend the AK for the first time at night!
That's funny with the ESTA survey and the terrorism question!
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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!
Glad you were able to get access to our fair country before President Trump gets into office and builds the fortress around our great nation.
Ugh, don't even joke about that....
Quote:
Have you heard the rumor that 9/11 will be the last night of MSEP?
I'd heard the rumour that the last night would be in early September sometime. I've also heard the rumour that it could be replaced by Paint the Night, but I'm not getting too excited, as I don't know if that will happen for our trip, given they've got Halloween parties then Christmas ones. Equally, we're not planning an evening at the Magic Kingdom, apart from the Halloween party, so that would put a kink in our plans, as if it happens, I'd love to see it again....
We saw OVO when it was here, and it was excellent! I'd say get tickets - especially since La Nouba is off the table. Plus, it gives you another show on your list!
Oh I know, I know... the decision is already made on that one, as a lot has changed about that day (even in the last few days ), so it's way too late now to get tickets. If it was meant to be, we'll get another chance to see it.
Plans are looking good but a bit frustrating with the AK! They still are to this day as the ROL opening has not been announced yet.
Oh tell me about it!
Quote:
I'm looking to do a Tiffins dinner package but that's still on hold for my October trip until these are announced and can book one. So for now it's Sanaa and attend the AK for the first time at night!
We've still booked Tiffin's for dinner, as I want to try it and I keep hoping they'll announce a dining package, but I'm losing hope of that with every day that passes...
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.
Glad you made some decisions on your dining. I heard ROL might not open until 2017 now.
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!
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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!
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We now know it’s at the BoardWalk, so we’ll probably drive over there, and park there, telling them we’re meeting friends in the lounge there, and hopefully we’ll be able to get in… 
Good grief, there were six pages of screens for each of us I had to fill in. Some of it we had to provide under the old system, such as passport details, contact details, and the address where you’d be staying for the first night when you arrive in the States. However, they’ve added a lot more in now, including details of your employer, your parents, and emergency contact details for you, which I can understand. 
to, let’s put it this way, you’re going to struggle to get into the States. It’s things like do you have certain diseases, have you been convicted of crimes, have you ever overstayed in the States on previous trips? You get the idea. I particularly like the one about whether you’ve engaged in terrorist activities, and I’m not being flippant here at all, but can you seriously see anyone answering yes to that one? My goodness, I can imagine you wouldn’t just be stopped from entering the US, you’d probably be getting a knock on the door fairly shortly afterwards from your own country’s police force. 
Ok, that’s not happened previously. Usually, it’s an instantaneous thing. The message says it’s nothing to worry about and it should be sorted within 72 hours, but I was a bit concerned, if I’m honest. Then I thought of something… 
I waited until later in the day, given the time difference, but by 4:20pm, when it should be 10:20am (I think – I believe daylight savings came in for the States last night and we don’t have our clocks move forward until Easter), so I guess they’re just not going to be listed today. Oh well… 
It’s another money making opportunity for Disney, as far as I can see. Lunch is now essentially dinner, as far as I can tell, with the dinner pricing ($42/adults) starting at 11:30am. 
Ok, I guess that’s the price I’ve got to pay for seeing my donkey – well, as Disney have pretty much all but removed him from the parks, so be it. I have no choice, as I can’t go to Disney and not see Eeyore. 
There are no shows the week we’re there. 
I suspect this is because they don’t want to be in direct competition with a touring show, which I can understand, but it is such a shame, as we love that show and I was really looking forward to seeing it with Barb and Bob. 
They still are to this day as the ROL opening has not been announced yet. I'm looking to do a Tiffins dinner package but that's still on hold for my October trip until these are announced and can book one. So for now it's Sanaa and attend the AK for the first time at night! 
), so it's way too late now to get tickets. If it was meant to be, we'll get another chance to see it.
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! 
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