[stuwhite]

Originally Posted by jrbes

I plan on hitting the links on the Hotel grounds at least one day (Monday preferably) anyone else a golf junkie?

Just started messing around at the driving range. Not sure I am ready for a real course yet but will have time on my hands if someone wants to put up with me

[jibi]

Originally Posted by juwaack68

Anyone know who is performing at the Hard Rock party on Tuesday? I really enjoyed Jim Belushi 2 years ago, but was not at all impressed with Brian Setzer last year.

Doesn't look like anything is posted on their website - Heart on 5/6 then Steely Dan on 5/12.

@DBB, I was just teasing about the non-drinking, bro. Trust me, after the stuff I've done and been through, I can definitely respect and appreciate a personal decision such as that.

[jrbes]

I would opt for the prorated ticket - the park hopper wasn't worth it when I took my family there last year.

[DarthBBerry]

Originally Posted by jrbes

I plan on hitting the links on the Hotel grounds at least one day (Monday preferably) anyone else a golf junkie?

Originally Posted by chubby_nubby

I just started playing golf, I suck terribly, taking lessons, I would love to play one day there.

Used to play golf. But now the best drive I do is through a "drive-thru" to place my order.....
And you're SUPPOSED to suck at golf. If you were any good, you wouldnt be a Blackbery Admin. LOL

Originally Posted by AlanM

Speaking of House of Mouse... Anuyone know if it's better to get a park hopper for the few days of the conference or just get a prorated ticket for the evening? Figure I've Monday afternoon-evening, and Tues and Wed evenings as options.

Anyone know how long the hands on lab last? Website show hours from 8AM-6PM is it for the entire day or just a portion?
Alan

Originally Posted by stuwhite

Good point. I have got Fri and Sat and most of Sun for the House of Mouse and was wondering the best way and when to get tickets (bearing in mind I am in the UK). Any suggestions from you park junkies?

The business center at the Marriott has tickets for sale for House of Mouse, Universal Studios and SeaWorld.

Originally Posted by [URL="http://www.marriottworldcenter.com/services_tickets.html?selected=services"

Tickets and Transportation Link[/url]]Special group/convention ticket options available to groups meeting with us for all four Disney theme parks…including the Magic Kingdom, Disney-MGM Studios, EPCOT, Disney's Animal Kingdom (sold only in the Business Center)

Originally Posted by jibi

Doesn't look like anything is posted on their website - Heart on 5/6 then Steely Dan on 5/12.

@DBB, I was just teasing about the non-drinking, bro. Trust me, after the stuff I've done and been through, I can definitely respect and appreciate a personal decision such as that.

Just need to see who it's gonna be. Hope it's not lame.
No worries about the non-drinking. It's all good.

Is it time yet?

[chubby_nubby]

What day is every leaving the WES? My company said I can stay the entire weekend if I choose. I was planning to leave Friday, but now maybe Sunday to enjoy some warm sunny weather unlike these wilted cherry blossoms here .

[DarthBBerry]

Originally Posted by chubby_nubby

What day is every leaving the WES? My company said I can stay the entire weekend if I choose. I was planning to leave Friday, but now maybe Sunday to enjoy some warm sunny weather unlike these wilted cherry blossoms here .

Friday morning. /grumble.
I should've asked to stay longer. Next year's event I will.

[stuwhite]

Originally Posted by chubby_nubby

What day is every leaving the WES? My company said I can stay the entire weekend if I choose. I was planning to leave Friday, but now maybe Sunday to enjoy some warm sunny weather unlike these wilted cherry blossoms here .

I fly back on Sunday evening. Have to love that my company make me stay the weekend for a cheaper flight I am planning to spend the entire Fri and Sat and lots of Sun in House of Mouse (I love that you guys call it that!). You are more than welcome chubs and if you have got any better suggestions, I am totally open. I want the most geeky sci-fi time I can get (obviously!) and although I thought Universal was the place, Darth has said that House of Mouse gives me Epcot and MGM which is better for the likes of us

[bertiebassett]

Originally Posted by chubby_nubby

What day is every leaving the WES? My company said I can stay the entire weekend if I choose. I was planning to leave Friday, but now maybe Sunday to enjoy some warm sunny weather unlike these wilted cherry blossoms here .

I'm bailing around 18:00 Thr, so will be back our side of the pond Friday morning, as have a commitment that weekend and whilst the house of mouse sounds good, I'll have to get that in the weekend before..

[DarthBBerry]

Originally Posted by stuwhite

I fly back on Sunday evening. Have to love that my company make me stay the weekend for a cheaper flight I am planning to spend the entire Fri and Sat and lots of Sun in House of Mouse (I love that you guys call it that!). You are more than welcome chubs and if you have got any better suggestions, I am totally open. I want the most geeky sci-fi time I can get (obviously!) and although I thought Universal was the place, Darth has said that House of Mouse gives me Epcot and MGM which is better for the likes of us

If you want to get your sci-fi fix, you DEFINATELY want to go to Epcot for Mission Space. It's about as close to going into outerspace as you can get. They even provide barf bags in the capsule. Not that I needed it the 3 times I went into "Space."
At MGM is Star Tours. In a Star Wars theme, your shuttle goes off course and into a Rebel vs Imperial space battle!

It it time yet?

[DarthBBerry]

BUMP. First post updated.
New and improved with more names and other groovy info!

[AlanM]

Don't forget Disney Quest, five story arcade at Downtown Disney. Was included in my family's park hopper from last trip in 2003. Guess Marriott might have tickets too.

Alan

BTW my flight out is 5:00 pm Thursday (figured company wasn't paying for an extra night and this was the last direct flight home).

[ladydi]

They were willing to pay for an extra night for me so I'm there until Friday at 3:00

[stuwhite]

Originally Posted by DarthBBerry

If you want to get your sci-fi fix, you DEFINATELY want to go to Epcot for Mission Space. It's about as close to going into outerspace as you can get. They even provide barf bags in the capsule. Not that I needed it the 3 times I went into "Space."
At MGM is Star Tours. In a Star Wars theme, your shuttle goes off course and into a Rebel vs Imperial space battle!

It it time yet?

So remind me why I am attending the actual conf again? :->

[stuwhite]

Originally Posted by ladydi

They were willing to pay for an extra night for me so I'm there until Friday at 3:00

Cool. Me and Chubby_Nubby are up for the park silliness after the conf so we can see how many we have got at the time and see what deals we can get on tickets. As an Orlando newbie I am being told to book park tickets online to save money but do you guys think buying them there is cool?

[ladydi]

I've never been to orlando either. My boyfriend is flying out mid week -his company wouldn't pay for the conf - and we definitely plan to go to disney world. I would appreciate any tips on the cheapest way to go.

[DarthBBerry]

Originally Posted by stuwhite

Cool. Me and Chubby_Nubby are up for the park silliness after the conf so we can see how many we have got at the time and see what deals we can get on tickets. As an Orlando newbie I am being told to book park tickets online to save money but do you guys think buying them there is cool?

Originally Posted by ladydi

I've never been to orlando either. My boyfriend is flying out mid week -his company wouldn't pay for the conf - and we definitely plan to go to disney world. I would appreciate any tips on the cheapest way to go.

I'm working on changing my flight from Friday to Saturday and extending my hotel reservation for the same. I'll let ya know. Hopefully it will work out.

You can purchase park tickets in advance from DisneyWorld.com. Being a Disney veteran, I've purchased tickets in advance but that's when I've gone to Florida with the intent of going to Disney. I've found that the ParkHopper option really isn't an option for me. Each park is a full day's adventure unto itself! Out of 3 previous trips (each one 5-7 days each) I've only used the parkhopper one time. And that was even after a full day at Epcot I went to MGM for a final ride on Star Tours and then back to Epcot for dinner. That little side trip took about 1 1/2 hours. I don't think that we'll have 1 1/2 hours to spare after WES activities during the day.

I will either purchase my tickets in the Business Center at the Marriott or at the ticketing window at the theme park. I even called the Marriott to verify about ticketing options for attendees. WES administrators chose not to pursue discounted tickets for WES attendees. Tickets will still be available to us for purchase in the Business Center. I don't know what the pricing will be, but at least it's an option.

Other tips: hats, sunscreen, backpack and bottled water. I'm not kidding. The Florida sun is HOT; especially in late spring through mid fall. As a treat for myself, I buy a new hat at the first theme park or specialty store I go to when I arrive. That becomes my theme hat for the duration. The backpack is for all the souviner junk you'll accumulate along the way.

Also bring LOTS of extra money for pictures. After most rides, you can see a picture of yourself at the most exciting part of the ride. These pics are available for purchase in the gift shop. If I'm on a great Disney ride (such as Splash Mountain or the Tower of Terror) with Stu, Bertie and Chubs, I KNOW I want a picture of it to remember the good times. (Especially when the Tower of Terror scares the bee-jeepers out of Stu!)

More advice as needed....

[stuwhite]

Originally Posted by DarthBBerry

I'm working on changing my flight from Friday to Saturday and extending my hotel reservation for the same. I'll let ya know. Hopefully it will work out.

You can purchase park tickets in advance from DisneyWorld.com. Being a Disney veteran, I've purchased tickets in advance but that's when I've gone to Florida with the intent of going to Disney. I've found that the ParkHopper option really isn't an option for me. Each park is a full day's adventure unto itself! Out of 3 previous trips (each one 5-7 days each) I've only used the parkhopper one time. And that was even after a full day at Epcot I went to MGM for a final ride on Star Tours and then back to Epcot for dinner. That little side trip took about 1 1/2 hours. I don't think that we'll have 1 1/2 hours to spare after WES activities during the day.

I will either purchase my tickets in the Business Center at the Marriott or at the ticketing window at the theme park. I even called the Marriott to verify about ticketing options for attendees. WES administrators chose not to pursue discounted tickets for WES attendees. Tickets will still be available to us for purchase in the Business Center. I don't know what the pricing will be, but at least it's an option.

Other tips: hats, sunscreen, backpack and bottled water. I'm not kidding. The Florida sun is HOT; especially in late spring through mid fall. As a treat for myself, I buy a new hat at the first theme park or specialty store I go to when I arrive. That becomes my theme hat for the duration. The backpack is for all the souviner junk you'll accumulate along the way.

Also bring LOTS of extra money for pictures. After most rides, you can see a picture of yourself at the most exciting part of the ride. These pics are available for purchase in the gift shop. If I'm on a great Disney ride (such as Splash Mountain or the Tower of Terror) with Stu, Bertie and Chubs, I KNOW I want a picture of it to remember the good times. (Especially when the Tower of Terror scares the bee-jeepers out of Stu!)

More advice as needed....

We just aren't worthy to be in the same thread as such a Orlando-Park-Guru

OK, we probably need to take the tickets thing offline so we don't bore the crap out of the folks who can't make it to the parks but I think I am fairly committed now to spending fri and sat in the House of Mouse coz I know I need to go to at least Epcot and MGM (and the tower of terror of course but remember I am a Brit, it takes more than a shakey building to scare us <g>). How much I actually get to do on the Sunday remains to be seen but I will let you design my dream ticket for me Darth :->

[DarthBBerry]

Originally Posted by stuwhite

We just aren't worthy to be in the same thread as such a Orlando-Park-Guru

OK, we probably need to take the tickets thing offline so we don't bore the crap out of the folks who can't make it to the parks but I think I am fairly committed now to spending fri and sat in the House of Mouse coz I know I need to go to at least Epcot and MGM (and the tower of terror of course but remember I am a Brit, it takes more than a shakey building to scare us <g>). How much I actually get to do on the Sunday remains to be seen but I will let you design my dream ticket for me Darth :->

Not a Disney Guru, but experienced enough to know what to do and what not to do. You can't do a trip to Disney without seeing the Magic Kingdom fireworks show. Spectacular. Simply spectacular. Don't worry, I'll make sure you'll have a memorable visit to House of Mouse.

[chubby_nubby]

Got an e mail last night saying Jim Belushi and the Sacred Hearts are the performers for the WES Party. Does anyone know if Verizon is having another casino night like last year? I always love to gamble with someone else's money!

[DarthBBerry]

Originally Posted by chubby_nubby

Got an e mail last night saying Jim Belushi and the Sacred Hearts are the performers for the WES Party. Does anyone know if Verizon is having another casino night like last year? I always love to gamble with someone else's money!

Meeting with my Verizon rep for lunch today. I'll see what I can find out.
Who did you get your e-mail from? Post a copy...?