Let's Play Games! An August 2016 PTR **TR Link!**

[MarieLightning]

Well, okay. You get a pass.... this time!

Yaaay

Worst part is, I would have the perfect opportunity to try one of those famous places this June, since we have friends coming from the States and I'm trying to think of things to show them that are typically Canadian (we got them a goodie basket with all dressed chips, Aero and Crunchie and Coffee Crisp chocolate bars, maple cookies, etc). But one of the girls is vegetarian so a smoked meat restaurant may not be the most delicate place to take her to

It's about a 5 minute walk from our hotel whereas Schwartz's is about a 15 minute drive. (If memory serves. Frequently doesn't.)

Well, that's not surprising, seeing as 90% of Montreal hotels are all within a 2 KM radius of each other.

(That sounds accurate).

 

[pkondz]

But one of the girls is vegetarian so a smoked meat restaurant may not be the most delicate place to take her to

No, I would think not.
"Try the poutine!.... with... beef gravy.... d'oh!"

Well, that's not surprising, seeing as 90% of Montreal hotels are all within a 2 KM radius of each other.

(That sounds accurate).

Sure. Let's go with 2km.

 

[MarieLightning]

No, I would think not.
"Try the poutine!.... with... beef gravy.... d'oh!"

Some place actually offer a vegetarian gravy Poutine's very serious business, we must make sure everyone and anyone can enjoy it

 

[pkondz]

Some place actually offer a vegetarian gravy Poutine's very serious business, we must make sure everyone and anyone can enjoy it

 

[MarieLightning]

FastPass Day!

No hint today - just some boring, actual PTR stuff

Today was our FastPass Day! Hurray!

Except... I've been doing the evening shift at work this week, and we've been swamped with calls (which is good for business but bad for moral), so last night I got home at 10:30. Got a few things done around the place, got into bed around midnight, didn't fall asleep until past 1 cause that's how I roll. My alarm was set for 6 because I had to try and get a shower in because they cut water pressure for the day (great timing). I ended up snoozing until 6:45 and using the smallest of water trickles to wash up, in case you were wondering

All of this to say, tired. And I feel all your West Coasters. I personally preferred the midnight slot better, too. I think the change was made because they have a crappy a** server and it couldn't hold the demand when everybody got on at the same time, so they made it a time that cuts off a lot of people from going on all at once so it's more drawn out.

Anyway, we got mostly all we wanted. Not saying what, when or where, that wouldn't be part of the game

I will say, however, that I am not a fan of the new system. At all.

Some aspects work pretty well. Like, being able to pull up all the times of day for a given FastPass selection is pretty cool. Not being forced to make three FastPasses works well too (well, in Epcot anyway).

The rest, though, is pretty crappy. I was not a fan of having to select everything one at a time, and having to reconfirm my party every time in between.

I also don't like how the system does not recognize what you're already selected, or for what time. If you're gonna give me a conflicting message for picking something from 11:30 to 12:30 because I already have a FastPass from 10:40 to 11:40, then how about you don't give me the 11:30 to 12:30 option?

Oh well. Small grievances.

Overall, it went well. We do have some quick news on the planning front, but I'll be sharing those on Friday.

60 days to go!​

 

[pkondz]

got into bed around midnight, didn't fall asleep until past 1 cause that's how I roll. My alarm was set for 6 because I had to try and get a shower in because they cut water pressure for the day (great timing)

I'm with ya. Got in at 11, bed around 12:00, up at 5:00
(For work, not for water offages.)

I ended up snoozing until 6:45 and using the smallest of water trickles to wash up, in case you were wondering

Thanks for the visual!

I think the change was made because they have a crappy a** server and it couldn't hold the demand when everybody got on at the same time, so they made it a time that cuts off a lot of people from going on all at once so it's more drawn out.

You could be right. Makes sense.

Anyway, we got mostly all we wanted.

Good!

I will say, however, that I am not a fan of the new system. At all.

Uh, oh...

Not being forced to make three FastPasses works well too

I presume you mean you can just pick one or two?

I was not a fan of having to select everything one at a time, and having to reconfirm my party every time in between.

That's just dumb programming there.

If you're gonna give me a conflicting message for picking something from 11:30 to 12:30 because I already have a FastPass from 10:40 to 11:40, then how about you don't give me the 11:30 to 12:30 option?

I can think of a reason.
You pick a FP for Splash for 10:40 - 11:40 but then see you can only get BTMRR for 11:30 - 12:30. Yeah it's a conflict, but at least you know it's there. If it was me, I'd move or cancel my Splash FP to ensure I got the BTMRR one.

 

[MarieLightning]

I'm with ya. Got in at 11, bed around 12:00, up at 5:00
(For work, not for water offages.)

I hope there comes a day soon where you can sleep in. Yeesh.

Thanks for the visual!

I presume you mean you can just pick one or two?

Yep, I'm guessing that's why they made the changes the way they did. Though I wish it would just... allow you to pick one, two or three and be done with it, rather than go back every time to select the additional ones.

That's just dumb programming there.

I can think of a reason.
You pick a FP for Splash for 10:40 - 11:40 but then see you can only get BTMRR for 11:30 - 12:30. Yeah it's a conflict, but at least you know it's there. If it was me, I'd move or cancel my Splash FP to ensure I got the BTMRR one.

Fine, go and be logical about it

 

[MarieLightning]

Hint #4

So, there's been some changes in our resort plans!

We are now doing a (mini) split stay!

So, just so we're all clear...
​

• On the night of the 6th, we land in Orlando around 10:30PM. Head to our airport hotel, check in, sleep.
• On the morning of the 7th, we get up way early, shuttle back to the airport, take the Magical Express, head to our first resort. Check in, have some park play time, come back, sleep.
• On the morning of the 8th, we check out of our first Disney resort and check in to the second one for the rest of the week!

I know, I know. It doesn't seem logical to just do one night somewhere and seven at the rest. My Travel Agent discount program, however, only allows to book up to seven nights per year, so any additional night we always have to book separately. Initially, we'd just added an extra night at the same resort, so we were just gonna switch rooms.

Then, Amber got her grants approved for the 2016-2017 school year and decided to treat us a little.

So, now you can guess two hotels for question number 1!

And here's the quick hint.

First night will be a Value Resort. The rest of the stay, we're moving up to a Moderate!


Happy guessing ​

 

[pkondz]

I hope there comes a day soon where you can sleep in. Yeesh.

Probably..... never.

Fine, go and be logical about it

Did you forget I was a guy?!?!?

On the night of the 6th, we land in Montreal around 10:30PM.

That's gonna be a long bus ride!

I know, I know. It doesn't seem logical to just do one night somewhere and seven at the rest. My Travel Agent discount program, however, only allows to book up to seven nights per year, so any additional night we always have to book separately.

Okay, that makes sense, then.

First night will be a Value Resort. The rest of the stay, we're moving up to a Moderate!

I'm going to change my answer then.
AoA and then POR.

 

[Rozz]

Tagging along!

 

[MarieLightning]

Did you forget I was a guy?!?!?

If that's what it's supposed to take, then my brother was clearly born the wrong gender

That's gonna be a long bus ride!

Oops, fixed that

I'm going to change my answer then.
AoA and then POR.

Updated!

Tagging along!

Thanks for joining in!

 

[pkondz]

If that's what it's supposed to take, then my brother was clearly born the wrong gender

 

[MarieLightning]

So, one more week gone by, seven more to go before we return Home!

We just spent a nice week of being tourists in our own city, doing some things we'd never done before (which I may highlight briefly in our current Trip Report). It was really great having our friends around, though six people in a one bedroom apartment gets crowded fast. Hopefully, we'll get to see them again at Christmas!

In the meantime, now it's back to the Disney planning! Yay! And I have another hint coming your way

Before I move on to Hint #5, though, there is a small modification made to Hint #3.

In regards to Question 2:

Of the restaurants we have ADRs for
• FIVE are completely new to us
• Two are pretty much tradition by now
• Two are repeat restaurants, with slightly different experiences

We've added a ninth ADR! (So. Much. Food)


And now, without further ado...


Hint #5

In regards to Question 10:

Amber does not like pineapple. I do not like coconut.

Do with that as you will

Happy guessing!​

 

[pkondz]

We just spent a nice week of being tourists in our own city

Me too!

though six people in a one bedroom apartment gets crowded fast.

Yikes!


and.. coconut is evil. Just sayin'.

 

[MarieLightning]

Me too!

If you got in early in the week, it was unreasonably cold. If you got in late in the week, it was unreasonably warm. No middle ground

Yikes!

You can say that again!

and.. coconut is evil. Just sayin'.

I love the scent of coconut. Can't stand the taste. I was very distraught when I found out that the overhyped school bread consists of coconut. People sell it so much that I sometimes think, maybe, maybe I could try and like it.

But then, I get over myself because it's not like there's lack of snacking options in Epcot.

 

[pkondz]

If you got in early in the week, it was unreasonably cold. If you got in late in the week, it was unreasonably warm. No middle ground

Got in Tuesday afternoon, left Friday afternoon.

I love the scent of coconut. Can't stand the taste.

Can't stand either.

I was very distraught when I found out that the overhyped school bread consists of coconut.

"Oh boy! Gotta try this school bread that everyone is... uhh... it has what on it??..... Nevermind."

But then, I get over myself because it's not like there's lack of snacking options in Epcot.

 

[MarieLightning]

Got in Tuesday afternoon, left Friday afternoon.

Unreasonably hot it is!

"Oh boy! Gotta try this school bread that everyone is... uhh... it has what on it??..... Nevermind."

DisBoards - letting coconut haters down since... whenever.

 

[Steppesister]

I will say, however, that I am not a fan of the new system. At all.

I have about 40 days to figure this crap out. Now instead of wishing my trip was closer, I'm sort of panicking as I still have SO much to plan!

60 days to go!

WOOOHOOO!! That's like only 2 months!

Amber does not like pineapple. I do not like coconut.

So I take it you don't share that many pina coladas.

 

[MarieLightning]

I have about 40 days to figure this crap out. Now instead of wishing my trip was closer, I'm sort of panicking as I still have SO much to plan!

You'll ace it all I'm sure!

I'm actually a bit jealous. We have basically nothing left to plan. Basically gotta sit here going for five weeks

WOOOHOOO!! That's like only 2 months!

Now we're at 39 days!

(Well, 38 til we fly out, 39 til we get on property)

And we have the perfect way to break it up. In two weeks, we're headed to Michigan for about a week to meet our brand new baby nephew (due on the 5th) and after we come back, it'll again just be another two weeks til it's Disney time!

So I take it you don't share that many pina coladas.

You would be correct Although, I have my moments. Like when my friend made me try one of her iced teas, which is called Fresa Colada. And there was a small hint of a taste that I just didn't like, and couldn't place it. Til I realized - Fresa Colada.

Ironically, I like coconut flavored candy. Maybe because candy never tastes like what it claims to

 

[amberg93]

Jumping in again with another hint ​

Hint #6!

In regard to Question 2:

At least one of the meals is a character meal.

Happy guessing!​