Living the dream and remembering the Bagman LIVE UPDATE 10/2 - Page 37 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Excellent work moving Flying Fish into your plans! Luke read somewhere today that something might be happening at AK the night of 9/30 as far as a nighttime show. But no details beyond that were given. That's our one night when the Star Wars fireworks are showing, so if the AK opens up, too, I'll be torn.
Nice post and love all the possibilities you are considering. The ROL still baffles me as I don't think I've heard anything recently about it as the Jungle Book only runs through this Sunday. I checked a few days ago and haven't seen anything regarding an extension of this show or news on ROL.
No, I haven't seen anything either. In fact, the front page news on All Ears Net (who I regard as the best place to go for news) is saying the Jungle Book ends on Sunday (or maybe Monday, I can't remember) and that's it. No announcement of anything else, so I'm giving up and just assuming we'll miss out, which is a real shame.
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I checked the schedule for the Star Wars Fireworks Spectacular and they have showtimes listed through October 1st with that show being 7:45. I want to see it but waiting for the extension on this show.
If it helps, Disney took forever to extend to dates in September, so all I can say is be patient and hopefully dates will eventually appear for your visit....
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Excellent work moving Flying Fish into your plans! Luke read somewhere today that something might be happening at AK the night of 9/30 as far as a nighttime show. But no details beyond that were given. That's our one night when the Star Wars fireworks are showing, so if the AK opens up, too, I'll be torn.
Ugh, that's a real pain for you in terms of deciding what to do, but if that happens, I'll be even more irritated, as it will mean only those of us going in September will miss out. I was assuming nothing will start at Animal Kingdom in terms of a night-time show until Thanksgiving at the earliest, as that's when the crowds will build again. As we won't be back until the tail end of 2017 at the earliest, that would be really annoying to miss out.
Pre-trip report part thirty four: doing the most depressing task of a vacation
Sunday 31 July
I spent this morning doing the depressing part of holiday planning, working out how much were likely to spend while were away, and where the heck that money might be coming from. Its always a miserable task, but I hope its covered. Ive only come up with a ballpark figure at the moment, and have checked we can cover the expenses we need to pay when we get there, like the car rental and some of the hotels that wouldnt take pre-payment. So its not all done yet, as I need to go through and check the figures I have set aside will cover all our meals.
Meg also gave me cash yesterday when we met as her payment for admission to Buckingham Palace, which worked well, as it meant I didnt have to take any cash out for this week. Thats two weeks now where I havent had to take any cash out, so I can put that money on the travel money card instead. Im going to add more Canadian dollars, as I want the majority of my cash on the card to be that currency. My logic is that the majority of our time in America will be spent at Disney, so things will just go on the room key or stateroom key, and well put the credit card down to pay for that. Because we only have a set amount loaded on the travel money card, its easier to use it to pay for individual meals etc.
I went to go and look at the SIM options for our cell phone, now that weve been told our American one will be ceasing at the end of August, but I got a bit confused when I went on to the website. The link didnt work, and they seem to be offering a similar option, but I couldnt see confirmation that this gives you an American number, which is what I want, so I emailed to ask the question. Well see what they say.
Ive also gone ahead and added the Deluxe Dining Plan to our stay at the Beach Club Villas. Now that we have dinner at the Flying Fish Café, never mind the California Grill brunch, lunch at the BOATHOUSE (all of which I understand we can use the Dining Plan at), which are signature meals, plus Tiffins, I think its a worthwhile investment.
I did look at doing online check-in as well, but theres no point until I get the confirmation about the US cell phone number, as Disney will only send text messages to say when your room is ready to a US registered phones. Yep, just one reason why we need a US cell phone number. Sure, I could put our email address in, but honestly, we dont check it via the phone, so what would be the point? By the time we get to the room and get the laptop out, then it would be a bit late, as wed already know the room was ready.
I also did the depressing task of doing a conversion table for the pound against the dollar. Given its never been this low since I can remember (back to the early 1980s), I didnt have a chart, so I produced one. I always go on the lower side of the exchange rate, so that the credit card statement will, if anything, be a pleasant surprise. At least I had a chart ready for the Canadian dollar, although that was for £1 = $1.60, about what it was a few years ago against the American dollar. Now were down to $1.25.
Monday 1 August
Oh my goodness, now I can officially say our next trip is next month!
I went into town in my lunch hour to exchange some money into Canadian dollars. The woman in the travel agency made the mistake of asking if Id booked with them. She then asked why, and I explained it was a bit complex, and I thought it was easier for me to sort it out myself, as I was concerned that perhaps they wouldnt be able to deal with it. She pressed me for more information, asking what we were doing, presumably expecting to say I can do that, but after I gave our itinerary, she just sat there looking shocked, and then said well, it sound amazing, I hope you have a great time, but I noticed she didnt offer to do anything like that in the future. Somehow, I wasnt surprised.
I heard back from the company we get our US cell phone from, and the option I was looking at does give you an American number, but you have to keep renewing it for £25 a month to keep the number, which isnt really going to work for us, given we probably wont be back in the States until the tail end of 2017. I think Ill go for the $9 SIM that they send from the States. However, I now need to find the American cell phone and work out what size SIM I need. By the time I get there, our vacation will be here Oh well, thats a job for this weekend, as I do need to start grabbing stuff for packing, and heck this weekend seems like a good time to start that
Dawn (DawnDenise) shared the sad new that she wont be joining us on this trip, which is a real shame. I hate it when anyone has to drop out. On a brighter note, Angie (poohsgirl) posted an update in the Facebook group that we are one month and three weeks out yay!
Virgin Atlantic now have their preview of the movies coming up in September, and bear in mind, this is a very short list, but its not looking promising, from my point of view anyway
Alice Through The Looking Glass
Angry Birds
Bad Neighbours 2
Band of Robbers
Love And Friendship
The Man Who Knew Infinity
Me Before You
The Nice Guys
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows
Weiner
X-Men: Apocalypse
Frankly, there is nothing that does anything for me out of that list. I know Mark will be happy with the X-Men movie, so I just hope theres more on the final list that I like the look of, otherwise its going to be a miserable flight to Boston for me.
I had a look at whats showing in August, as some may stay until September, and of those, Id be interested in seeing Dads Army, Eye in the Sky, and the Jungle Book. I know Mark would love to see Batman v. Superman and the Revenant, which are also showing, and would probably watch Marvels Captain America: Civil War too. At a push, if they were still showing Spotlight, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, both of which Ive seen and really enjoyed, Id watch those again. Oh well, we wont find out the final line-up for another month
Tuesday 2 August
I had an email from Laurie (lauriep) yes, she and I email quite regularly, and she does pop into the boards on a semi-regular basis, although she doesnt post, but Im so glad shes still around. Anyway, she wrote this:
I read your new PTR and it's sounding exciting. I wish you had more time for Maine. It would be great if you could see some of Acadia that you can't see from the car, like the beautiful stone bridges along the carriage trails. You can book a carriage ride that tours the bridges, and you can also book a nature cruise (I think they're 2-3 hours long) from Bar Harbor to see seals, sea birds, whales and puffins. There's so much of the beauty of the coast that can only be seen from the water.
Oh wow, that all sounds so neat. If only we did have some more time, but isnt that always the way with most places you visit? There are always additional things you can see and do, and theres never enough time to do it all. At least driving around it will give us an idea of the park, and heck, if we do fall in love with it, we always have the option of going back there one day
Laurie emailed me again later, and I guess she was impressed with our plans so far!
I'm glad I popped in again on your PTR and saw that you've added some time in mid-coast Maine for a drive up Mt Battie! If I were to pick a favorite spot in the world, the top of Mt Battie would be it. It's more of a hill than a mountain, but the view shows everything I love about Maine. I hope you get a nice, clear day for it. You should be able to see a few of the schooners that sail out of Camden and Rockland out on the water and that's a beautiful sight. The views to the water are spectacular, but I like turning around for the view of the hills behind as well. It would be great if there's a bit of color in the trees, but you'll be a little early for peak color. Camden is a wonderful small town, but it can get crowded with tourists on summer and fall weekends and hard to find a parking spot
Oh wow, this sounds amazing, and I just hope we do get a clear day, as itll be perfect if we do!
You know, we just take getting a SIM card for granted here. I didn't even realize how much trouble it is to get one outside of the U.S.! I'm with Mark on the movie list! I would love to see the X-men movie!! I hope some better choices come up for you!
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Ahhh, the exchange rate. Poor Canada. We made out pretty well on our trip too! Too bad that doesn't apply in Epcot though..... hahaha.
Good to hear from Laurie, and some great tips! Some day we will get to Acadia too. I think it deserves a good 3-4 days or so, but like you say that's hard to do. There's only so much time.
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Wow, not a great movie list. I managed to see 7 movies to/from London. Although most I found boring (but at least I hadn't paid to see them in the theater!).
I'd expect you could shock most travel agents with the complexity of your plans!
You know, we just take getting a SIM card for granted here. I didn't even realize how much trouble it is to get one outside of the U.S.!
We could get one very easily at home, but they'd all have UK numbers. I would imagine it would be the same for you guys to find a SIM card that gave you a UK number, that's the problem for us.
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I'm with Mark on the movie list! I would love to see the X-men movie!! I hope some better choices come up for you!
I should find out the full list on Thursday....
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How nice to hear from Laurie!!
We're quite often in touch and it's always lovely to hear from her.
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Ahhh, the exchange rate. Poor Canada. We made out pretty well on our trip too! Too bad that doesn't apply in Epcot though..... hahaha.
Oh my goodness, if the exchange rates applied in Epcot, you guys would be making a killing at the United Kingdom pavilion right now!
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Good to hear from Laurie, and some great tips! Some day we will get to Acadia too. I think it deserves a good 3-4 days or so, but like you say that's hard to do. There's only so much time.
Wow, not a great movie list. I managed to see 7 movies to/from London. Although most I found boring (but at least I hadn't paid to see them in the theater!).
That is a bonus, if you didn't think they were that great. There's nothing worse, given how much movies cost these days!
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I'd expect you could shock most travel agents with the complexity of your plans!
I can! I think they're relatively straightforward...
The exchange rate and the need for a new US SIM card have given you some kinks in the planning, but as usual it seems you've gotten those in line now. With Laurie's comments, I'm now excited to see what photos you get from Mt. Battie because it sounds like it will be stunning.
So many details! I picture you being über-organized. I'd be a mess trying to align everything you're dealing with.
I'm so glad to hear (vicariously) from Laurie. I think of her often.
Maine is one of the few US states still on my bucket list - seriously looking forward to your TR.
Not good news on your side but perhaps the exchange rate will help me finally get to London ... ? It should work that way, correct?
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I am now all caught up with your plans. Bob and I hope to do New England and Niagra Falls in the future so I will be reading the TR when you post. Of course it's so cool we will be a small part of it as we have several times we will share adventures! See you soon
The exchange rate and the need for a new US SIM card have given you some kinks in the planning, but as usual it seems you've gotten those in line now. With Laurie's comments, I'm now excited to see what photos you get from Mt. Battie because it sounds like it will be stunning.
It does, doesn't it? I just hope we get a good day of weather for it. That's the only thing we sadly can't control... gosh, if only!
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Luke read somewhere today that something might be happening at AK the night of 9/30 as far as a nighttime show. But no details beyond that were given. That's our one night when the Star Wars fireworks are showing, so if the AK opens up, too, I'll be torn. 
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I checked a few days ago and haven't seen anything regarding an extension of this show or news on ROL.
Sure, I could put our email address in, but honestly, we dont check it via the phone, so what would be the point? By the time we get to the room and get the laptop out, then it would be a bit late, as wed already know the room was ready. 
She then asked why, and I explained it was a bit complex, and I thought it was easier for me to sort it out myself, as I was concerned that perhaps they wouldnt be able to deal with it. She pressed me for more information, asking what we were doing, presumably expecting to say I can do that, but after I gave our itinerary, she just sat there looking shocked, and then said well, it sound amazing, I hope you have a great time, but I noticed she didnt offer to do anything like that in the future. Somehow, I wasnt surprised. 
By the time I get there, our vacation will be here
Oh well, thats a job for this weekend, as I do need to start grabbing stuff for packing, and heck this weekend seems like a good time to start that
If only we did have some more time, but isnt that always the way with most places you visit? There are always additional things you can see and do, and theres never enough time to do it all. At least driving around it will give us an idea of the park, and heck, if we do fall in love with it, we always have the option of going back there one day
We made out pretty well on our trip too! Too bad that doesn't apply in Epcot though..... hahaha.
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