That hotel is about a 15 minute walk from me so that totally works!

Hey guys... don't forget to post here when flights and hotel are booked so I can keep track of arrivals and where everyone is staying.

Kethi just got a job offer so we're waiting to see what kind of time she can get off before we make plans. I've got the time off so we're just waiting on her. ;)

For anyone with the ability to fly to the downtown airport (YTZ), Porter Airlines is having a 50% sale on right now. https://www.flyporter.com/Flight/Tickets?culture=en-CA

Porter is an awesome airline and the downtown airport is exponentially more convenient than the Toronto International Airport. Not to mention that it is cute and you get to take a ferry. :D

Flights booked for me and Jenny. Arriving Wednesday mid-afternoon, leaving Sunday late afternoon (I have to get back home in time for Monday morning).

Kethi and I are booked. Flying in on Air Canada to Toronto International (YYZ) on the 22nd and landing about 3:30p. Departing on Monday the 27th at 5:30p. We've got a corner suite with lake view at the Ritz/Carlton. I can get a rental car if need be, but I'd rather not park it at the hotel for 42 bucks a day.

Sapph, is it easier to get a car/taxi to the hotel or is it easy to take the train? Also, you can count us in for Canada Wonderland also!

There will likely be airport pickups again like last time. If you're willing to brave rush hour traffic to get downtown, I'm sure there are parking options that don't cost $42 a day. Maybe Sapph can get you a multi-day visitor parking permit at her building?

Edit:
Obviously I'm in since I live nearby :P

Sapph, is it easier to get a car/taxi to the hotel or is it easy to take the train? Also, you can count us in for Canada Wonderland also!
I would definitely say no need to rent a car. The only thing we will need cars for is Wonderland and if we have to, we can always just rent cars for that day or take public transportation up there.

As for getting to the hotel, there are shuttles you can book that are the cheapest way downtown. Taxi will cost you $50-60. But I'll see about arranging airport pickups closer to the date. I'll take inventory of people with cars and what time everyone is arriving. Unfortunately, my car cannot fit a lot so I don't think I will be very helpful in picking people up! But between Amonsul and Jaannaa we may be able to arrange all the pickups needed.

Found a Cuban cigar manufacturer right downtown! They even have a lounge we can gather and drink in after hours if we're interested. Anyone up for that kind of thing? I bought one of their cigars and it really was quite good.

http://www.correnticigars.com/

Found a Cuban cigar manufacturer right downtown! They even have a lounge we can gather and drink in after hours if we're interested. Anyone up for that kind of thing? I bought one of their cigars and it really was quite good.

http://www.correnticigars.com/

What would be the implications of me bringing those back to Amurrica? If it's legal, my dad is going to have an awesome birthday.

What would be the implications of me bringing those back to Amurrica? If it's legal, my dad is going to have an awesome birthday.

According to the guy who was rolling them for us, it is totally legal. They are manufactured in Toronto, so even though the tobacco is technically Cuban, there is no issue taking them back. They are taxed like a Canadian product though, so they won't be cheap like in Cuba!

Found a Cuban cigar manufacturer right downtown! They even have a lounge we can gather and drink in after hours if we're interested. Anyone up for that kind of thing? I bought one of their cigars and it really was quite good.

http://www.correnticigars.com/

This sounds fantastic!

COUNT DOWN IS ON! 3 MONTHS TO GO!!

Have you booked your flight? Have you found a place to stay? Have you decided what you want to participate in? Time to get on it!!

I've started adding some pricing to the first post to give you guys an idea of costs. Obviously booze is extra! Still filling in a lot of gaps but I'll keep posting here when I have updated that first post. If you have your flight booked, please tell me which activities you DO/DO NOT want to attend.

Jenny and I are in for everything except for the Edgewalk (we're in for the rest of the CN Tower). we're in for Wonderland too.

I know it's been a pain in the ass to get me to commit to anything because I've been trying to coordinate this trip with a family reunion in NY happening around the same time, but here's the tenative plan:

Fly Thursday, arrive that evening into YYZ. Participate in VS Fest activities Fri-Mon. No wonderland :(

My parents are going to come pick me up on Monday or Tuesday and I'll be off to the USA for a few days. I will spend the week there fishing, drinking beer with my dad, watching my mom garden, and teaching my nephew swear words and the "pimp hand". They will drive me back to TO on Friday for my flight out- airfare prices will dictate whether or not I have some time this weekend to putz around in TO Friday and/or Saturday night. That following Monday is the Labor Day holiday.

I'm just watching airfare at this point. The goal is to score round trip at or under $400.

I am assuming Jenny is coming to all this, but her time off from work is a lot less than mine, so we'll still have to work that out.

Subway Map to help y'all get around while you're down here...

Trying to think up some ideas for night-time activities.

You guys be interested in going to a drive-in theatre? We could all pile up into the back of Amon's truck. Sunday is $25 per carload, no matter how many are in the car!

More about the complex can be found here.

We could all pile up into the back of Amon's truck.

Like a bunch of small children and hound dogs, Y'all!

Ooooh! I forgot that you guys are coming during The CNE ("The EX") ! It's $16 to get in. In the past they have had some crazy foods. This blog kind of says it all. I think I just gained 5 pounds looking at those pics.

So... any interest in a total fatty day??

Sounds intriguing...

Sapphyre! I was planning on staying one more night than you have me down for. Staying Sunday night, the 26th and maybe helping with airport shuttles or whatever and leaving sometime that Monday afternoon of the 27th. If the guest suite is booked, someones floor will do. :) Still counting on parking arrangments too.

JUST TWO MONTHS LEFT. Will be sending a PM out to everyone to start getting things finalized. If you are planning on coming, please make sure you RSVP here to get in on the PMs. If your name is not on the list but you are planning on coming, let me know!

BAM!

Ticket bought.

Flying in Wednesday evening, Leaving Monday afternoon. I will not be doing Wonderland, or Edgewalk. I will mostly be at bars. And maybe the Brass Rail.

Wooooooooooooooooo!