Soulriders, THE GATHERING!

[Dracos]

This post, From here out, will be used to formally organize critical information to getting us all there and having a good time.

Location: Toronto, ON
Dates: 4/29/2011 - 5/05/2011
Hotel: Noveau Toronto Center, 45 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5E1W2 - currently 136 a night for 2 people, 2 beds.
Expected Temp: 60-75 F
Clothing: Bring light cold weather gear (Heavy if you're cold sensitive).  Probably too cold to swim but the hotel has an indoor pool.  Dunno about umbrellas but they never hurt.
How to get to the hotel: If you arrive as a group, you can share a cab, but there are also buses that can get you out there.  There are no free shuttles from the airport to the location.
Why stay at the hotel: It is far more fun if everyone hangs out together and far easier to coordinate.  In the past we've had a couple stay at a distance, and usually it ends up poorly.  I strongly encourage even locals to book in for the week.

Those Formally Confirmed as going and who they are rooming with:
Dracos - Rooming with ginrai.
Odin - Currently planning to room with Shawna, possibly also Onigiri and Grey.
Iddy - Ragnar'd.
Ginrai - roomied.
Ragnar - Roomied.

Things being brought:
It would be cool if someone volunteered to bring some evening entertainment: Movies, Anime, Card/Board games, etc.  Obviously, we'll have plenty of stuff to do into the moderate evenings, but I haven't seen one of these without late night/early morning hangouts.  Ranma's full poker and chips set was a fun win a few years back.

Iddy - Laptop full of movies.

Current Schedule/plan:
Trip to Niagara Falls - We totally are going to do this because its classic fun. :)
A pre-Broadway musical - The theaters there seem pretty cool.  We should make a night or afternoon of it one day.
Random decision making for the rest for now!  Shout out for favorites, Odin posted a good list.

~~~
I will update this as folks post below with details on things they are bringing, places they'd like to go, etc.  Note, if you are not confirmed (and literally already planning to go buy tickets to get there), please don't add in "I'd like to go to expensive event".  I'm totally down with hunting down leafs tickets for folks, for instance, but not for anyone who isn't really making a serious commitment to being there.

[Dracos]

I have no roommate yet.  I think Gin asked, Gin you can try again here for first dibs if so and confirming that ye will be there.  Otherwise, who wants to split.

[Dracos]

Also folks, I encourage starting to hammer down flight plans early to get the best rates.

[Ragnar]

I'd be interested in a roommate. Contact me if you are also looking to save money. I'd also like to get a general feel of activities so I know if I can afford it.

[Dracos]

Odin, do you have a glance into there?

[Music-chan]

Too bad the trip is so early in the year.  The outdoorsy things in Niagara Falls are more fun when the weather is warmer.

[odin]

Chinatown - whatever you want to spend... we'll probably at least eat there.
Casa Loma - About $20
CN Tower - $25-$35 depending on what you want to do
Blue Jays game - $15-$250ish depending on where you sit... maybe $70 for decent seats
I don't pay close enough attention to the basketball and hockey seasons to know if the Raptors or the Leafs will be playing.
Approx the same for other major sporting events
Toronto Island - $15ea
Ontario Science Centre $18-$25 depending on whether you see the movie too or not (IMAX).
Wonderland (amusement park) - $30, but sometimes you can get a deal as low as $20.
Trip to Niagara Falls - gas, various activities there... I'd budget about $100-$250ea.
A pre-Broadway musical - Depending on seats and when you purchase.  $40 to $1000 per seat.  Go 2hrs before the show and you get discount rates, but we probably can't all sit together doing that.  Not a huge deal.

[Iron Dragoon]

You can pretty much sign me up as going. I haven't gotten to my base in Afghanistan yet, and won't be able to 100% confirm until then, but it's like 99% positive that I'll get the needed vacation dates.

Also, I don't mind having a roommate as long as:
1) You don't snore.
2) You're not an insomniac.

[Dracos]

PING!

[Iron Dragoon]

PONG!

[Dracos]

Reminder: Time passes, remember to say if ye are thinking of coming.

[Dracos]

Reminder: Book early!

[Music-chan]

I'd have to talk with Cy, but we might just drive in for shenanigans when we can.

[Dracos]

You guys should come!

[odin]

Or at *VERY* least, tell us when you have a free day and we'll plan that as our Niagara Falls visit.

It'd be sad to be so close to you guys for an #sr gathering and not see you!

-Dan