August 6, 2005 Mexican Riviera..Who's In?

[justmestace]

We're on there.....myself, DH, DD 15 at cruise time, and DS, 12 at cruise time.

Booked at 3 minutes past opening and they only had Cat 4's left and on down.

[jilljill]

Yeah Stacey, you started the thread.
Wine and cheese is all we will need for the week. We have the DH's to look after the kids :teeth: ::yes::

[kaseyC]

It will be me, DH and our 3 DDs ages 9, 4 and 2. We booked two connecting Cat 9s. Hope you all are willing to share that Wine and Cheese. I can get DH to watch the girls!:D

[justmestace]

Welcome, Kasey....we will DEFINITELY share!!!
Good thing the hubbys are willing to watch the kids (not that they know it yet!)

We have two adjoining Cat 5's.

[Catnip0113]

It will be myself, DH and DD13 at cruise time. It will be our 2nd DCL cruise and our 1st trip to Disneyland! We got a Cat. 5 on Deck 7. I hope airfare from CT isn't too expensive in August. :Pinkbounc

[jilljill]

Originally posted by justmestace
Welcome, Kasey....we will DEFINITELY share!!!
Good thing the hubbys are willing to watch the kids (not that they know it yet!)

We have two adjoining Cat 5's.
Welcome to kaceyC and Catnip0113 :wave: .
You are more than welcome to join in on the wine and cheese - the more the merrier :drinking: .

Stacey my DH knows about watching DD, but he will get off easy since she will be in the Lab most of the time. Oh no, I just thought of something.....my DD will be 11 when we cruise and your son will be 12 - I hope we won't have to plan another CC wedding in the distant future :scared1: :faint: .

We will be going to D'land for a week after the cruise, we will be staying at our timeshare. Good thing my parents have frequent flier miles for us to use.

[justmestace]

:teeth: Looks like there are already a few girls close to my DS's age!
I'll just hope there aren't any teen boys the same age as my DD!!!

Stacey

[kaseyC]

This will be our second Disney Cruise, our first one with 3 children. We only had 1 DD when we cruised on the Wonder in 2000.
I am really excited about this cruise we were starting to look into a Mexican Riviera cruise with Princess when I began to hear the rumors of the Magic going west.
We are planning to spend sometime before the Cruise at Disneyland. I will either use our DVC points to book to connecting rooms or rent out my points and pay cash.

[jilljill]

OK Stacey, I'm claiming post #1,000 oh here. I figured since you started the thread you can have #10,000. Anyone else want to claim a post number?!? :hyper:
I figure we gotta live for something other than 8/6/05 - that's a long ways away.

[justmestace]

10,000!!!! You're thinking BIG!!

Kasey....was one of your DD's a "little souvenir"? Sorry, that was hard to resist, but also shamelessly personal! Forgive me.

We'll probably go to DL before the cruise, too. Still trying to decide about that much time off work. Plus, we like to fly in to John Wayne.....so getting to/from/to/from is more difficult that way. Too much to think about this soon!

Catnip, maybe we're neighbors on Deck 7!

See you later,
Stacey

[jilljill]

I have no clue where the airports are located in relation to the port. Is it better to fly into Long Beach and then fly out of LAX or JW since we will be at D'land? I know it's still a long ways away, but I want to be prepared for when I am able to book FF tickets.

kaceyC we may be neighbors on deck 2. I have 2 cabins booked and I need to decide which one to keep. Need to do that today.

[kaseyC]

JillJill, I would also like to know more about the airports in the area. I want to try and get the best price possible for air, then I will deal with ground transportation.

Stacey, our youngest DD was a sort of a "souvinier" from our 2002 WDW trip (I figured out I was pregnant with her during that trip) - I was a bit worried because me and my oldest DD spent alot of time on ToT.:p

[justmestace]

Didn't mean to get too personal, Kasey...but that's pretty cool. I'd have been worried, too. GLad it went well!!

The Port of LA is closer to LAX, but John Wayne Airport is much closer to DL....and a much nicer airport. I will never go back to LAX if I can help it.

I decided to do 3 days at DL first...Super Shuttle (cheap) from John Wayne to DL, Super Shuttle from DL to port, and Super Shuttle back to John Wayne. The longest leg will be from port to John Wayne...but that's less than 45 minutes. Especially on a Saturday.

Picture LAX up north (not way north) with the port to the west of it......DL is south a ways, and John Wayne just a little further south than DL. They're kind of in a row. But let me say this again....I HATE LAX.....and I will NEVER go there again. Too crowded, dirty icky. Did I make my point? John Wayne is so clean and peaceful, flights on time...no crowds, smaller...a little more money, yes, but SO WORTH it!!!

[jilljill]

You told us about LAX airport (I get the feeling you don't really care for it, but I don't know why?!?) and you told us about JW, but you didn't tell us about Long Beach Airport. So what's up with LB airport?



p.s. I didn't want us to fall off the page either ::yes::

[justmestace]

Long Beach is further south, and very close to the Long Beach port...but we're sailing out of the port of L.A.
Long Beach airport is very small....but that makes it easy to get around in. You go outside to get your luggage, that's how small it is. That would be a no-brainer if we were sailing out of Long Beach.
On Southwest's website, John Wayne is Orange County (SNA), just in case you get confused.


And by the way, do you think we'll have the ship to ourselves? I doubt it, since I got through 3 minutes after, and almost all of Deck 8 was sold out!

So where is everyone?????

Geez, jilljill....we'e scared 'em off already!

[jilljill]

We really didn't mean to scare everyone off. We are nice people ::yes:: .

It would be nice to have the ship to ourselves, but I don't think that will happen.
So, just where is everyone?!?

[justmestace]

Just me again.......
A clarification: Long Beach Airport would be the closest airport to San Pedro, which is where the port is. It's not a bad drive from Long Beach airport to DL...have driven it many times....but I would still use Super Shuttle. I think DCL is only offering transport out of LAX, but not sure.
The drive from LAX doesn't sound bad , (as in the amount of time, etc) but it is a miserable drive traffic-wise.
What would worry me about using Long Beach airport is their on-time schedule, and availability of cabs or shuttles.
Orange County is, unfortunately more $$, but in my opinion, the best.

[Catnip0113]

Justmestace, We are in 7112 (we like the Aft section) near the Secret deck.

It is strange to think that even though we will fly to CA and leave from another port, we will still be on the Magic and have everything we are used to in that respect.

I tried to book the REAS package but they said it wasn't offered on the West Coast ones. Had anyone else heard that?

[jilljill]

I tried to book the REAS package too and was told that they do not know what packages or excursions are as of yet.

[kaseyC]

But we changed to next week. So we will be sailing out the day you return. Enjoy your cruise!

[justmestace]

:wave: Sorry to lose you, kaseyC...but glad you're still sailing!
We'll wave at you as we get off the ship.

just me, jilljill and catnip now. Pretty soon we should start to fill up the ship!

Catnip....we're right down the hall, a little more mid-ship in 7080 and 7082!

Still working on that suite! :rolleyes: (Like that'll happen!)

[justmestace]

For the Christmas cruise, DH and I really wanted to do a vow renewal...but they're all booked. Can't decide if I want to do it in August on the Magic....which, by the way Catnip, you're right...the port will make it seem weird, but once we're onboard it'll be like home!
As for the REAS.....DH didn't want to do just that...he wants the vow renewal or nothing. But, for some reason, I had my heart set on doing it in the Caribbean......not the Mexican Riviera....what do you guys think? Am I being silly?
It would still be on the ship no matter where we sailed, so what's the difference?
Help!!!

[jilljill]

I vote for the vow renewal :hyper: . How many people will be able to say they did a vow renewal on the Magic when it was on the west coast?!? You would be in an elite group of lucky ones. Just one way to look at it. Plus, if you look into it this far out you may actually get to do it this time.

We are now in 2078. I keep making new reservations and the price keeps getting lower as I look around more and more. So now I really hope they offer the REAS package since I am saving $300. from my original booking.

[Catnip0113]

I like the vow renewal idea too. I was thinking of doing that for one of our anniversaries in the future. This September will be 15 years, but maybe on a future cruise we can go in September. When it gets closer we will have to plan a DIS meet on board. Right now my DD thinks we will avoid the club stuff again, but I want her to at least go to meet kids. Maybe your DD15 (at cruise time) will be someone to at least meet ahead even though she is older. :)

[justmestace]

You guys may be right....we will be married 17 years this coming October. I still am in contact with the gal at Fairytale Weddings who handled Megan's wedding. (In case you wondered, I was married once before & had Megan, who just turned 22)
The whole setting would still be the same. It IS still the Magic!
Would you come watch? Probably no wine, but definitely champagne! It would give me way more time to lose weight.
Okay...I'm getting excited here. I'll have to find Cathy's e-mail address.
Yep...gonna do it.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!
Jordan never did get into the clubs. She's pretty shy and a little young for her age. I would like for her to meet some kids, too.
Sounds like a plan!

Happy Mother's Day tomorrow!

Stacey

[jilljill]

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

Stacey, I would definately be there for you.
We have our 16th anniversary this month and Alexa's 10 b'day, too.

Does Jared go to the lab? Alexa loves it there, she only wants to leave for dinner and the shows. Sometimes for lunch she will leave if she wants to choose her lunch. We will have to think about her having sign in/out priviledges this cruise. She's never done that before.

[justmestace]

Hi jilljill!
Happy Mother's Day!!!!

Jared went to the lab, and this last time he signed himself in and out. The only problem was that when he'd sign himself out, he didn't always come back to the room....sometimes he'd go to the game room, and I'd have to look in two places for him. He was really good about not charging a lot on his card for games.
He liked the computers in the lab the most. He didn't get into the group activites as much. Except he liked making goo.
Both of my kids did really well with being able to move around the ship unattended. They're definitely not perfect kids, but they really understand that the ship has rules, and we have rules...and they were great with it. Plus, they're maybe a little odd, but they like spending time doing what we do, too. So sometimes we had trouble "shaking" them! :smooth:

Besides, if we get our own network of DIS'ers...it'll be like living in a small town...they won't be able to do anything wrong without someone seeing them!

[justmestace]

Forgot to tell you....I e-mailed Fairytale Weddings!!!

You can't actually book a vow renewal or wedding until 1 year from the sailing date, but if it's anything like inventory control and the suites, at least I have my request in early!

[jilljill]

Wonder why they have the 1 year rule :confused3 ? You will have to keep up posted as we August approaches.

[justmestace]

No wonder no one has joined our thread...we keep slipping down into the basement!!!

[jilljill]

Originally posted by justmestace
No wonder no one has joined our thread...we keep slipping down into the basement!!!
We will have to try our best to keep us near the top.....or at least on the first page :teeth: :yo-yo:

[jilljill]

Oops, found us on page 2. No one will ever know we are around if we go there again :wave:

[justmestace]

Anyone out there going on this cruise???

[justmestace]

BUMP!

[Catnip0113]

Hi Guys, Sorry I was away for a few days here, my daughter has been hogging the computer and I am planning a party for my mother's 70th birthday this weekend.

I would watch you get re-married too Justmestace. Where do they do it on the ship?

Happy Mother's Day to you as well! I will do my share to keep this post on page 1 too!:hyper:

Cathy

[justmestace]

Hi Catnip! Nice to know your name!

They do the vow renewals in Sessions, I think.

I talked to Cathy at FairyTale Weddings, they may not be offering them for California....she knows that they are definitely not doing weddings. She said she'd keep me posted.

Yet another waiting game!

[jilljill]

Stacey, have a good weekend in LV. Win lots of $$$.

[Catnip0113]

I don't know why they can't do the same things on the ship, I realize they can't do Castaway Cay things. Like the REAS package, they still have the same restaurants and spas with the staff on board. I could also see Saturdays being up in the air without their special terminal. Gee, I wonder if it will go as smoothly as far as checking in and leaving...

[encmerk]

Just thought I would let everyone know that my family will be sailing on 8/6/05. My dh, myself, grammy:D, dd 2, ds 6 (will turn seven onboard on the 7th). We booked two connecting cat 9 rooms. 2094 and 2096. Just to let everyone know Our family went out of the San Pedro pier this past Feb. on RCI. We arrived at 11:30 am there was only 5 families in front of us at check in. Then we waited about 30mins or less then went right on board. Very hassel free. On Departure Day our group was the first ones off the ship. The lines for BC was longer than the passport line. I have never been on a cruise out of FL so I don't know what to compare it to. But we only waited for about 30 to 45 mins.

Also, if anone needs to know the drive from LAX is not bad to the pier. It is about 45mins. with steady traffic. But, it seems to go by so quick because you know that you are almost there. (we were in the car for about 2 hours at that point)

I hope to get to know some people before we go.

Courtney

[encmerk]

I forgot to ask. What is the REAS package? Could someone please explain it to me? Thanks!

Courtney

[jilljill]

Courtney, a big welcome to you and your family to the thread.
We have only sailed out of Port Canaveral and are looking forward to this cruise.

REAS, is the Romantic Escape at Sea package. The current cost is $299., which gets you a couples massage or spa taster for 2, seating at Palo one night, a welcome basket, romantic turn down service one night and champagne breakfast in bed the next morning. DCL has not released any info if this package will be offered on these cruises or not.

Any other questions just ask and we will try and help you. I know that my fmaily has been on 4 DCL cruises and Stacey and her family have been on 1 or 2 cruises.

Barb

[jilljill]

Stacey, hope you had a good trip and won lots of $$$.
Did you happen to get a call from inventory control? I understand they have made most of their calls for the suites.

[jilljill]

Good morning everyone :wave2: and welcome home Stacey :wave: .

[justmestace]

Good morning!!!

We're back, and had a lot of fun!

Welcome Courtney and family!!! Yippee, we have another family!!!
:Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce:

jilljill, no call from inventory control. That's okay, the kids decided they really like the idea of having their own room, even if we do keep the door propped open!

I can't believe it's still more than a year away.......I don't really want to get older any faster than I already am, but I am really wishing time would go faster!

Thanks for the port info, Courtney! Glad someone knows the scoop!!!!

Off to work,
Stacey

[Catnip0113]

Welcome Courtney! We are happy to have another family going our week. I cruised Disney once before (just this past April) and we loved it. I have only been to California once. It was a tough work assignment. I had to stay in an apartment with a nice pool in Marina Del Rey for a month. It was a block or two to Venice Beach and within walking to lots of shops. One weekend we went to Universal Studios (this was before they had one in Florida).

I am hoping to find a 13/14 year old girl for my daughter to get to know beforehand. She was too shy to try and meet people this last time, she was too young for teens and too old for the 10 to 12 group (or so she thought).

Cathy
:sunny:

[justmestace]

Cathy,
My daughter Jordan just turned 14 last week.....granted, she'll be 15 when we cruise, but so far, she's young for her age. She hasn't met anyone when we've cruised, either. Too shy to go to the clubs by herself, so she just hangs on me. I'd like to do some stuff with my grown-up friends. Hopefully we can hook the two girls up!
Stacey

[jilljill]

Stacey and anyone who would like to join us, we gotta ditch the kiddos to do a wine party :drinking1 :drinking: . I know, that's what the DH's are there for.
Actually, my DD has no problem with being in the club/lab. In fact she is usually too busy with all the activities to do anything we want to do. In 4 cruises she has only gotten off the ship 3 times - other than CC.

[justmestace]

Well, of course we're having our wine (or drink of choice) party!!

Jared will go to the clubs, but not Jordan. Her nickname is "Stuck Like Glue" (not really, but it seems as though we're joined at the hip lately)
I do think she'd go if she knew some kids ahead of time, though.

Neither one of them would miss an excursion. They are true travelers...have to see every port, even if it's just to say they've been there!!

[jilljill]

I just went and reread the first few posts and realized I never said who was going with me. It's myself, DH and DD that will be 11 at cruise time.

[justmestace]

Anybody new????

[Catnip0113]

Stacey,

We should try and have our girls get to know each other before the cruise. If they don't like the club they can hang out and walk around together. My DD (Jessica) didn't like to eat with us at late dinner so she went to the show again and window shopped (couldn't let her card have charge ability - too tempting).

Jilljill, Your DD11 might get along with her too (her cousin is two years younger and they hang out). Does your DD like the clubs? Even if she does, they may be able to get together sometime.

Cathy

[justmestace]

Cathy,
That sounds like a good idea. We just have to wait until I tell them that we're going!
Since we're doing the Christmas cruise, I thought I'd better wait awhile before breaking the news to DH & the gang!

[Catnip0113]

We should wait until it gets closer. I am the only one in my house who gets excited this early. My DH is a little more on board this time now that he has experienced it once. I wish I was going on another vacation sooner, maybe we will do one within driving distance. We have nothing planned this summer though. We might go to the casinos in CT for a night or two. I have never to either of them (Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun) and they are only 20 minutes away. A lot of people on our April cruise from Massachusetts go once a month and love it!

Cathy

[justmestace]

That sounds like me with my Vegas trips. I think there was an every two week pattern going for a while there.

I'm taking my daughter in July to meet some of the other Christmas cruisers & their girls, but other than that (and our trip to DL in just a few days) we are done for the summer. I'm looking forward to being home right now, but ask me after I've been stuck in this house with two kids for a week or two!
I'll probably be online booking a flight to nowhere!!!

I haven't told DH about the CA cruise, mostly because he'll have a cow about the $$. And the time off. We're self-employed, so if we're gone, we're not making any money. We have a crew, but they usually make so many mistakes that it ends up costing us. Oh well, price you pay, I guess.

[jilljill]

Stacey, I can't believe you haven't told Jay about the cruise. That is so funny. Even DD knows about this cruise. But since it's so far away she hasn't said anything about it.

Cathy, my DD goes to the lab a lot, but if there is someone else for her to hang out with she probably will. Most of her friends at the beach are older, so she is used to hanging out with older kids.

[Catnip0113]

It will be nice for her to have someone. She had fun on the last cruise, but I felt bad she was by herself a lot. She could have been with us more, but she wanted independence.

You know I never really knew about forums and such until the DIS boards. My DD showed me all sorts of forums for TV shows, musicians, etc. They have one for everything!

[justmestace]

Jordan knows now....I had to tell someone!

No way will I tell Jay yet! He would positively kill me.
It will be his surprise Christmas present on the Dec cruise. Or maybe not. He could throw me overboard!

Maybe I'll wait till his June 2005 birthday.

:smooth: :smooth: :smooth:

Stacey

[justmestace]

:confused: Here's a question.......If we're the only three families on this cruise, then how come I couldn't book a suite???

[jilljill]

Originally posted by justmestace
:confused: Here's a question.......If we're the only three families on this cruise, then how come I couldn't book a suite???
If we are the only 3 families they should upgrade all of us for free for good PR measures :teeth: :cool: ::yes:: :Pinkbounc .
We can dream, can't we?!?

[jilljill]

Stacey, have a great trip to D'land. Say hi to ::MickeyMo and ::MinnieMo for me please.

I just thought of how you could tell Jay about the cruise. Have a postcard sent to him announcing that ::MickeyMo and ::MinnieMo are waiting for him, just like people do for their kids. He is just a big kid anyways, right?!?!? :teeth: ::yes::

[jilljill]

Oh no :eek: , we fell off of page 1.
I hope Stacey and family are having a good time at D'land.

[Catnip0113]

I love your idea about us getting upgrades! I wish! My computer is acting up right now, I need to run Ad aware again. Ever since we got a cable modem, all kinds of pop-ups. Maybe a lot of people on our cruise are new and don't know about the DIS boards? Maybe they will discover it when the time is closer like I did. As it got closer to April, I did a Google search on Disney starving for information about it and I found it...

Cathy :tongue:

[jilljill]

I just got back from Wash DC tonight - chaperoning DD's class trip. There were 13 chaperones for 29 kids in her class. We saw a great Space 3D Imax movie, then had free time in the afternoon to wander around the museums. It was fun.

I'm glad you found the boards Cathy or I would be talking to myself this week :teeth:

[Catnip0113]

My DD goes to Washington DC next year in 8th grade. Today I went to her team's award ceremony. She got an academic award in Social Studies and a peer award in self discipline. I was thinking that this thread is going to be extremely long by the time cruise time gets here.

I have to go to the dentist today to have a new crown put on. I plan to relax in the chair by pretending to be on my verandah looking at the ocean and imagining other things on the ship. Hope it works!

Cathy :D

[justmestace]

:wave: I'm back.....had a great time with ::MickeyMo &::MinnieMo and the rest of the gang.
jilljill, I had a chance to talk to Donald every night.....even stayed till 10:30 one night, will write more about it later. Wonderful guy!
Cathy.....LOL....I do the exact same thing when I have to have dental work!!! I hate getting crowns!
Will fill you in on DL highlights tomorrow.....way too tired tonight, but it was wonderful!!

Stacey

[jilljill]

Yeah, Stacey is back :Pinkbounc .
Glad you had a good time at D'land.

[jilljill]

Stacey you couldn't put on your new timer that you were sailing with me.....NOOOOOO, you had to put sailing with 'The Mouse'. I guess he's much more inportant than I am :teeth: :D :earseek: ::yes:: :wave2:

[justmestace]

Originally posted by jilljill
Stacey you couldn't put on your new timer that you were sailing with me.....NOOOOOO, you had to put sailing with 'The Mouse'. I guess he's much more inportant than I am :teeth: :D :earseek: ::yes:: :wave2:

You want to know what's funny about that????
I almost DID put you on there!!!! LOL.....no kidding! But I was afraid you wouldn't like that!

[jilljill]

Originally posted by justmestace
You want to know what's funny about that????
I almost DID put you on there!!!! LOL.....no kidding! But I was afraid you wouldn't like that!
:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

:jumping1: :jumping1:

[justmestace]

:wave2: Just popping in to say hi.

Do we have any new cruisers????

The whole time we were at Disneyland this week, I kept thinking about next summer.....how crowded it was going to be, for one thing. But I was thinking about all the special new merchandise (there's a shopper for you, thinking ahead a whole year!), thinking about how great it will be to finally have all the rides operating, watching the progress as they were painting, repairing..etc.
And how much fun it will be to know that after our days in the park, we'll be getting on the Magic!! I still can't believe it.
We had a suite, but I think we'll stick with a regular room, with the bunk beds next year. All of the suites only have 2 queens or a King in the bedroom, and a fold-out couch. We made DS sleep in a sleeping bag on the living room floor, DD had the couch, and DH and I had the 2 queens. Selfish, I know.....but on a trip like that, I have to have my beauty sleep! I did let DS sleep with me one night, and all he did was wiggle around and kick me. No thanks. At least with the bunk beds, theyeach have their own bed. Although, then they fight over who gets the top bunk!
I think Disney really messed up with their suites at the GC. They made them more for holding meetings, rather than for families. We saw a family with 11 (yes, that's eleven) kids, only 4 of them who didn't have special needs.....they had three rooms to fit everyone in!
Anyway, enough griping.
It was a marvelous trip....and I'm really looking forward to next year.
Hope everyone (all 3 of us) is having great weekend.
Stacey

[Catnip0113]

Glad you had a good trip to DL Stacey. You got me to thinking when you talked about the crowds. I should get a book on DL and talk to you guys so I know what are the "must do" rides and all. We are supposed to have 3 days/2 nights at DL, but they count the day we fly in from CT (arrive 1pm PDT) and the day we get on the Magic. Well, we will be anxious to get on the ship so we will really only have one full day. Now, are there two main parks to see? California Adventure and the Magic Kingdom? Is there a DIS board for Disneyland I should know about?

Cathy :confused:

[justmestace]

Cathy,
There are two parks....they are right across a central plaza from eachother.
If your kids are young, they will enjoy the Magic Kingdom much more than California Adventure, except for maybe A Bug's Land...and there's not even that much to do there.
I'd plan on going into the MK when you arrive, and going to Toon Town.
Get up early the 2nd day, and hit the rides in Fantasyland, then some of the bigger rides, Splash Mountain (with a Fast-Pass) Pirates, Haunted Mansion.
Save CA for the evening, when the Boardwalk area (like a carnival) is all lit up.....it's very pretty at night.
There are a couple of good books that you can get at Borders or Walden Books.
Anything else?? I'm more than happy to help. Guess I should have been a travel agent!
Stacey

[justmestace]

I forgot......if you click above where it says DIS Discussion Boards (Main Board) there is one for Disneyland....but sad to say, it's nowhere near as informational as the cruise boards.

Personally, Barb & I can probably tell you more than what you'd learn over there. (Not trying to sound like a know-it-all, just being honest)

I changed this to say "above" ...I had accidentally typed "about"...sorry!

[Catnip0113]

I will look for the books (maybe ask Santa for one). It is hard having so much time to plan, I get way ahead of myself...

[justmestace]

Join the crowd of crazy "advance" planners.
I'm always afraid that I'll have everything all planned out too early, and then be bored sitting and waiting.
Guaranteed, something always happens to mess up those plans, and I end up with things to do at the last minute.

It's so hard when you have a great trip coming up, to not think about it, and just do everyday stuff!

The time does go faster than you'd think, though!

[justmestace]

:wave: Hi Everyone!

Are we all enjoying our long weekend?

[justmestace]

jilljill....you have three T.O.P.'s and I have three T.O.P.'s!!!!

Not too hard to do when there's only three of us! :rolleyes:

[jilljill]

Good evening :wave2: , we are back from the beach.

Cathy, I'm sure that Stacey can tell you way more than I about D'land. We were first there 11 years ago and then again last summer for a night on our way home from Australia. We had a whirlwind tour of both parks in 1 day before heading to the airport for a redeye home. The day we arrived we went to the Downtown shopping area and hit a couple of the cast member shops in the area. So needless to say, we were very bleery-eyed when we did the parks last year.

[jilljill]

Originally posted by justmestace
jilljill....you have three T.O.P.'s and I have three T.O.P.'s!!!!

Not too hard to do when there's only three of us! :rolleyes:
Cathy, thought I better fill you in on what a T.O.P. is: TOP OF PAGE. Something to look forward to when posting. Silly yes, but fun when you have more people on the thread looking for a challenge.

[Catnip0113]

Thanks for explaining T.O.P, I was wondering what the significance was. I must have some, is there an easy way to count them? Hope you had a good weekend, at least this week is shorter now...

Cathy

[jilljill]

You can get 15 posts on a page, so now you know how to judge when you will get a T.O.P.

Only 4 days of school this week and 3½ days next week then it's summer vacation. Then DD goes to the beach for the summer if we don't go to Disney for a week first.

[justmestace]

Must be rough to be able to go to WDW so easily!!!

jealous green monster

[Catnip0113]

In CT schools run later. My DD has her last 1/2 day on June 21st. Of course they have a lot of fun days before that like a trip to an amusement park.

I feel like planning another trip before the cruise because that is so far away... I should figure out the financial situation to see how hard it is going to be to save and budget something. Some people get good deals to go to WDW for 5 nights, I always wanted it to be some week or longer big deal. Maybe there are last minute deals? Where do people go to check these things out? I always go through my AAA Travel agent.

Cathy

[jilljill]

Cathy, right now Disney is running a 7 for 5 special, you pay for 5 nites and get to stay 7 it may even include park tickets. I think you can read the details on the home page of the discussion forums. We are going 8/5-8/13 and Stacey is thinking of going down then - right Stacey?!? ::yes:: :hyper: :wave2:

I should know tonight or in the morning if DD and I are going next week. Nothing like waiting until the last minute to make plans.

[justmestace]

Last minute plans are the best, because there's no waiting forever!
I'm going to try to figure out a way to finagle my way down there!!!

[jilljill]

Originally posted by justmestace
Last minute plans are the best, because there's no waiting forever!
I'm going to try to figure out a way to finagle my way down there!!!
:jumping1: :jumping1: :jumping1: :jumping1:

[jilljill]

Cathy, I found this info for you for the 7 for 5 for *************:

Enjoy 7 nights at Walt Disney World® Resort for the price of 5

The first 5 days of magic are priceless.
The next two are free!


7-night Packages from:

$589 per adult - $178 Savings per Adult!

$311 per Junior (ages 10-17) $68 Savings per Junior!

$250 per Child (ages 3-5) $55 Savings per Child!

(Pricing is based on Adult Double Occupancy at a Disney Value Resort. Rates available most nights from 7/4 - 11/18/04. Junior and child rates apply only when occupying room with an adult.)

Enjoy 7 nights at a select Walt Disney World® Resort Hotel plus Disney Theme Park Tickets and more. All for the non-discounted price of a 5-night Walt Disney Travel Company Dream Maker(tm) Package.

Great Savings are also available at Disney Moderate Resorts and Disney Deluxe Resorts call 800-771-8690 for details!

Want to know the real deal? Consider the Silver, Gold or Platinum Plan Add-On and experience similar additional savings!

[justmestace]

Isn't she just a wealth of information??? (jilljill) She amazes me.

We were falling, falling........

Hotter than snot today (can I say that online?)
Supposed to be 111. Yikes!

I wish I were on the deck of the Magic.........some friends of mine from here are at WDW, getting on the Wonder on Sunday. I tried my darndest to go with them. Too bad I have kids, a job, and no money!!!!

[Grumbo]

Hotter than snot today (can I say that online?)

No you can't.
Please don't say it again ;)

Cheers,
Grumbo

[jilljill]

Oh Grumbo, you silly thing.

[jilljill]

Sorry, I had to post again and grab another T.O.P.
It's very nice here, only in the mid 70's.

Grumbo, forgot to ask you - are you coming with us or just lurking? :confused:

[justmestace]

pirate: T.O.P. THIEF!

And oops......that word back there, when I said it was hot?

That wa SNOT what I meant to say. It was an accident, I swear!

Grumbo gets to go on the repo cruise, the lucky snot. :p

[Grumbo]

Yep doing the repo Eastbound for cheaper than alot of the 7 day Mexican DCL cruises :)
Saw this was Stace's thread so figured I could start a debate :)

Keep the Magic clean for us.. We'll be taking it back to Florida :)

Cheers,
Grumbo

[justmestace]

:duck: Nah, I quit the debate team......too old to duck fast enough!


And, Grumbo......maybe you will get the Magic back, maybe you won't......
We may pirate it away and keep it on "our side" forever!!!

(A girl can dream, can't she??)

[justmestace]

:Pinkbounc We're approaching 100 posts!

It's mine, pirate: lady!

Good night!

Stacey

[justmestace]

Ninety-five.

And if a certain goose were very smart, he could find out his surprise here!

[jilljill]

Originally posted by justmestace
Ninety-five.

And if a certain goose were very smart, he could find out his surprise here!
Do you think the certain 'goose' has been lurking over here?

[justmestace]

:confused: I hope not....but with my name on here as starting the thread, he might have out of curiousity.

Again, we've probably left Cathy confused......sorry, Cathy.
We're trying to surprise a friend from another cruise.

[justmestace]

NINETY-EIGHT




:tilt: :tilt: :tilt:

[justmestace]

NINETY-NINE


:yo-yo: :yo-yo: :yo-yo: :yo-yo:

[justmestace]

:Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc


:bounce: :bounce:


POST NUMBER ONE HUNDRED!!!!


Thank you....thank you very much

[Catnip0113]

Wow, I miss a lot in a few days here. First of all, Thank you for all the Disney information! I will go back and write it down in case I decide to call. How do you know what post number it is (unless it is just counting 15 times how many pages?) Is there one last 7 nite cruise after ours or does it come back to FL then?

As far as weather, 111 sounds so hot! It has been beautiful in the 70's here in CT, but it is supposed to rain this weekend.

Cathy

[jilljill]

Cathy, there is 1 more CA cruise then the Magic heads back to FL on the 20th.

On the main page it tells you how many posts there are to each thread.

Stacey, way to use 'fluff' to get to 100 :teeth:

[justmestace]

That wasn't even fluff, that was just pure, unadulterated waste of space!!!

Is that cheating????

[jilljill]

That was complete cheating ::yes:: . Now, why didn't I think of it to pirate: it away from you :confused: .

[jilljill]

Can I get another T.O.P.??? :confused: ::yes::

[justmestace]

You stinker!

The pirate: war is on!!!!

[jilljill]

Let the battle begin :teeth:




p.s. Cathy must think we are really crazy :crazy: :jester: .

[justmestace]

Cathy....if you join forces with me to get to the top, I'll share the reward prizes with you!

pirate: :daisy:

[Catnip0113]

I don't want to take sides because I am going to meet you both eventually. Besides, I don't think I could help if I tried because I don't even count 15 posts per page. I saw only 5 on one. Is it my pixels or something maybe?

Cathy

[justmestace]

Okay, Cathy...then it's every pirate: for himself! (all in good fun, ya know!!)

I don't think the "counting posts" thing works all the time either.
What if someone writes a lot, like I do sometimes?

I don't know........

Now that I have all of my plans laid out for the Christmas cruise, I'm going to have to start researching ports for our cruise!!!

Almost time for DS's baseball.

TTYL,
Stacey

[jilljill]

Stacey, dinner is all set at Rose and Crown on Sat. 8/7 for 7:40. Now if that goose would lurk over here he would know the surprise. I hope you don't kind that I took the liberty of joining in on dinner with you and Megan :teeth:

You will have to re-tell your bobcat story for Cathy. I guess you are practicing for the M-M of the year award, sending your daughter out after your camera :earseek: . You need to keep one in your car at all times - I do anymore and we don't have that kind of wildlife around here. Well...actually, there has been a couple seen in the surrounding areas and they did capture one and take him to the local zoo. Not something I would want to encounter that closely.

[justmestace]

:cat: Okay, a story for Catnip:

As Jordan & I were pulling up our drive this afternoon, I saw a large cat in my carport, so I slowed, then stopped. It stood up. I looked at it, it looked at us.......it was a BOBCAT!
I think he/she was more afraid of us.....then our dog Molly came around the side of the house (she heard my car pull up) and man....the hair on her back stood up, and she bared her teeth like I've never seen her do before!
The 'cat and Molly had a standoff going. The cat would look at me, then at Molly. Poor thing, didn't know which way to go.
I made Jordan get out of the car to run into the house & get my camera! (Such a GOOD mother!) Then to make it worse for Jordan, the door was locked!
Anyway, when she got out of the car, the cat turned and ran, with Molly hot on her trail. The cat got away, the dog didn't get hurt, but I never got my picture!
My son & I walked down the road with the camera to try to find it, but it was pretty well hidden away by then.
So that was my big fun for the day!

[justmestace]

Cathy......M-M is for Mean Mom. I have a bad habit of missing the start of DS's ball games because I'm on here when I should be there, I have no trouble telling my kids "no", tying them to their bedposts when they misbehave, or tossing them out of the car when there are wild animals in their path! ;)

Actually, had it been one of our local mountain lions, I wouldn't have sent Jordan for the camera, and our poor doggie would probably be at the doggie hospital tonight...or I'd be in the people hospital for trying to rescue the dog!

Rose & Crown......Megan & I are both soooo excited!!!!
Great idea about watching Illuminations from there, huh???

I keep watching your countdown timer, jilljill, since I can't do one of my own! That would be letting the :cat: out of the bag!!

[WDWLVR]

:cheer2:

Just never know who might be reading. :D

[jilljill]

Originally posted by WDWLVR
:cheer2:

Just never know who might be reading. :D
We are actually hoping he might read this to figure it out for himself :hyper:

[jilljill]

It's really too hot and humid here. I want to go to Disney where I don't care if it's too hot and humid.

[Catnip0113]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by justmestace
[B]:cat: Okay, a story for Catnip:[QUOTE]

Wow, that story had me on the edge of my seat! I would have freaked out and dialed 911 from my cell. The wildest animals we get are coyote and fox, but mostly deer. They actually hang out in the street at night like gangs, but they run away from car headlights. They eat everything good in the yard even right by the front door. They eat the roses which really upsets DH because he is the gardener. He is putting a fence around them this year.

Thanks for explain M-M to me and all Jilljill. By the way, what does the "D" stand for in DH, DD, DS, etc? I am guessing "Dear" but I never really knew...

Cathy

[Catnip0113]

BTW, my countdown is two days earlier because that is when we are leaving for CA to see DL. ..

[jilljill]

I think the 'D' stands for 'Dear' too. At least it sounds good to me.

We will be flying out the day before the cruise and then stay for a week afterwards. At least that's what the plans are if we can get the timeshare and the plane ressies that way. I think we are going to use my parents FF miles on American if we don't get bumped off this week and earn free tickets.

[jilljill]

Had to grab another T.O.P.

[justmestace]

Isn't she vicious with that T.O.P. thing???

Mary, thanks for dropping by!

I always think of the "D" in husband as Dear, and the "D" for my kids as Darling.

We're booked for Disney's 50th package before the cruise for now. That was all they'd let me book....they aren't taking any "view" requests for rooms yet. And no suite requests, although after staying in the suite at GC, I won't do it again. I didn't like it. Not enough beds to go around, since my two won't share. And they badly needed pictures on the walls. Except the bedroom, all the walls were bare!
Took me a while to figure out why the room seemed so boring!
Also, housekeeping would make the couch bed, but they didn't fold it up like they do on the ship.....just left it pulled out the whole time, even though they did turndown, and could have pulled it out then. So we had nowhere to sit.
I do want to request theme park view, when the time comes.

Cathy...the deer eat my roses too. We put up a fence, but the javelina knocked it over...they're really strong. So we put up a bigger fence. We have a stone wall by the guest house that used to have a whole row of plants. One morning we went down there, the plants were all gone, the dirt torn up, and little piggie tracks were all along the ground. It looked like the dessert buffet at closing time!

Out of here for now. Going to the bank to get Megan's car loan put in her name, taking me off as co-signer! Yippee!!!!

CUlater,
Stacey

[jilljill]

Originally posted by justmestace
Isn't she vicious with that T.O.P. thing???

::yes:: :hyper: :wave2: :goodvibes :duck: :earboy2:

:thewave: :thewave: :thewave: :thewave:

:grouphug:

[Catnip0113]

I don't even know what to request as far as rooms go. So far I have the Disneyland Hotel with park-hopper tickets. I think it is too early, but I'll ask my TA whenever you guys think it is time. Two nights doesn't seem very long, but it was expensive enough. We definately like to travel in some luxury rather than the cheapest. At WDW we have stayed at Caribbean Beach and the Disney Institute (a townhouse with a loft bedroom). My sister has DVC at Old Key West which is really nice.

Cathy :)

[jilljill]

Cathy,
I have stayed at both the D'land Hotel and the Grand Californian and I prefer the GC. I don't know why, but it could be because it is newer and different for the DH. I did splurge on a concierge, theme park view room only because we were staying there 1 night. I don't know if I would do a theme park view room again, we didn't have a very good view of CA.
There are many hotels that are very close to the parks. If you go to a AAA office and pick up a D'land brochure it will show where all the hotels are in the area in relation to the parks. They also give the amenities for all the hotels too.
When we went to D'land Paris last year I picked up a brochure from there just to compare the hotels on property. They are very nice brochures. You don't have to belong to pick one up.
Make sure you grab a T.O.P. or 2 while I'm away so Stacey doesn't get them all :hyper: :teeth: :earseek: :wave: .
Have a good week while I go visit 'the Mouse' again.

[justmestace]

:wave: Bye jilljill!!!!

Have fun......and hey, take me with you next time you go, okay???

[justmestace]

:confused: I've been thinking.....if we're the only three families on this cruise, will DCL make us dine separately in the three restaurants each night???????

:crazy: :crazy: :crazy:

[justmestace]

Oh my gosh, I AM sooo sorry.....I forgot ...there are FOUR of us!

I forgot Courtney and her family! Drop in and say Hi, Courtney!


Cathy, about the only "view" worth having at the Disneyland Hotel is of the pool, and actually, most of the rooms already have a view of that. There is one building that has a view of Downtown Disney, but they didn't have much privacy on their balconies...and noisy! I would request Pool view.
I prefer the Grand Californian too, after many, many years at the DL hotel......mostly because it's newer and there aren't as many "little kids". But for only a night or two, not sure I'd spend the extra money. I'd sooner have it to spend on the cruise.
But we're doing three nights at Disneyland, so I want to be closer to the parks.
Don't get me wrong, Cathy....the DL hotel isn't that far...5 minute walk at the most.....but I'm really really lazy!!!

[justmestace]

We were way at the bottom!

[justmestace]

:wave: Good Afternoon!


Barb...I hope you're having fun!!

I can't wait to head down there myself:wizard:
I could use a little Pixie Dust right now!

Really looking forward to an almost "no kid" trip. Sometimes Megan, even at 22, can be the most frustrating.
All of a sudden, I'm remembering how hard it was to get her moving in the mornings....and I like to get up and hit the parks...
She has the most hair (not the longest, just thick) of any human being I know...takes forever to dry...and it HAS to be washed every single day.

Nah...forget all that....it will be fun, it will be fun......:earboy2:

[justmestace]

G'Night Everyone!

Goodnight in Mouse land, jilljill!!!!::MinnieMo

[justmestace]

We keep falling down.....I know we have "readers" by the number of views......
ISN'T ANYONE ELSE GOING ON THIS CRUISE??????

I guess I didn't do a good enough job of spreading the DIS Boards at Disneyland. We must have a lot of west coast cruisers, who don't know about us!

Hello out there in WDW, jilljill!!!!!!

[justmestace]

Anywhere near the TOP? Have to get ahead of jilljill.

[justmestace]

Nope, not yet.

No wonder no one wants to join in......they think they're sailing with lunatics:crazy:

And they would be right!!!

[justmestace]

My family members are normal, though. And they out number me 3 to 1......so that should balance things out.

Any guesses on when we might get shore excursion info?

At least we'll know after the first Mexican Riviera cruisers get back.

I've been looking through a book that's got all of the cruise ports in it, and lists the typical excursions, plus things to do on your own. So I'm getting some ideas.

[justmestace]

::yes:: T.O.P.!!!!!!!!!!!! pirate:

[Catnip0113]

I will ask my AAA agent for some Disneyland brochures, thanks for all the tips! :) I should find out about the ports and excursions too. Maybe from another cruise line's brochures? Sorry you had to talk to yourself a lot, I don't get on as often I guess. My DD is on this computer a lot because hers doesn't have an internal hook up, just games and homework papers. She uses hers to upload music from CD's and listen in her room.

I am a huge Big Brother fan so this summer I will be watching the live feeds a lot in the evenings... I don't know anyone that likes BB as much as I do so I go into the chat room to talk and we watch the feeds. This is my first year with a cable modem so I am excited. See Stacey, I am a lunatic too I guess! :guilty:

Cathy

[justmestace]

:crazy: Then you'll fit right in! I love it!

[justmestace]

:wave2: I should be posting more...gotta get further ahead before jilljill gets back!


Guess what????? :Pinkbounc I'm going to be a Great-Auntie again!
My niece, Lindsey is expecting baby #2. My little gorgeous great-niece Alex is almost four....so I guess that's a nice spread. Maybe we'll get a boy this time! Yippee!!!!

[justmestace]

:bored: I'm getting good at talking to myself. I hate the fact that everyone else has a life!!

Not that I've thought about this too much.....but, doesn't it seem silly that we'll need to pack a sweatshirt for a cruise in August???

The movie theater on the ship is freezing!!!

[Catnip0113]

I never got to the movies on board, but the rest of my family did. I couldn't seem to fit it in, I wanted to see "Miracle" - I have since seen it on DVD. When does Jilljill come back?

[Catnip0113]

Hey! Was that a T.O.P???

[justmestace]

:wave2: Hi Cathy! Almost a T.O.P.! I thought yours would be the one, also.
She'll kill me for this, but I don't remember when jilljill is coming back. I know she said....but my brain is fried from the heat.

I'm going to try to talk some friends from here to go on our cruise, too. Seems like there must be plenty of rooms!!!

Off to bed...it was a really long day. After this week, things will be much quieter for me.....and just think, then I can talk to myself more!!!
I keep saying things will be quieter....I've been saying that for about 14 years....ever since DD#2 was born! LOL

TTYL,
Stacey

[justmestace]

I was counting posts this a.m. Cathy....if the theory is true, we still need a few more to get another T.O.P.

Hot here....trying not to let it get to me....it's not going away until October. The joys of living in the desert!

Off & running.
Have a great day!!!

Stacey

[justmestace]

pirate: princess: jilljill!!!!!

:space: Have you been abducted????



:magnify: Where in the World are you????

We're going to change your name to Carmen Sandiego!

[justmestace]

Cathy,
We should be getting close to a T.O.P. here.

Okay, jilljill has been gone a week, and it feels like a month (or more)
I just remembered too....she's down there spending my money!!
Hope it's good stuff!!::yes::

Have a great day tomorrow, Catnip!!!!

Stacey

[justmestace]

Good Morning August 6th cruisers!!!

Just thought I'd bump us up from the basement!

[jilljill]

Originally posted by justmestace
:wave2: Hi Cathy! Almost a T.O.P.! I thought yours would be the one, also.
She'll kill me for this, but I don't remember when jilljill is coming back. I know she said....but my brain is fried from the heat.

...and you are absolutely correct that I will have to kill you (with kindness) that you forgot when I was coming back. How in the world could you forget that I was coming back on your DH's b-day and on the very night you get to go see 'your men'?!?

BTW, I'M BACK!!!!!

[Catnip0113]

Welcome back Jilljill! :sunny: It was hard for us to keep the post near the top with only 2 of us. I don't seem to get on as often and poor Stacey had to talk to herself a lot!:(

As far as my T.O.P., I figured out that when I post from work (shhhh, don't tell anyone, it was slow for a week or so), there are more pages and less posts per page than on my home computer.

It is hot and humid here today, hard to breath. Luckily we have air conditioners in our bedrooms and family room. The kitchen, dining room and den area are open to the 2nd floor by an open foyer so I am afraid to put a window air conditioner in and all the energy that would be used. We don't have the duct work for central air because we have oil fueled hot water heat.

Cathy

[justmestace]

Yea!!!:cheer2: jilljill's back!

Yep...and "my men" were teriffic! One of our news channels was there, so I called DD to watch. They spotted me in the theater. Lucky I was behaving myself! Marcus & I had a good chat, till the other guys yelled at him to get back to work!
I was half hoping the TV cameras would come my way, so that I could tell Jay Happy Birthday. I thought that would be funny, out with "the guys" on my husband's birthday! But I was glad they didn't come over, because I don't need all of Arizona knowing I was there!

Cathy, you're lucky you don't live in Arizona. I would die w/o air. We have two cooling systems....right now we're still getting by on the more economical "swamp" cooler...it's evaporative cooling, which works great until our humidity goes up. Then we switch to the regular air conditioning. Sounds complicated, but once you get used to it, it's no big deal.
We used to use solar for our hot water, but as the family grew, even the sun here couldn't keep up with us, so now we have gas. Propane, though...no gas lines out this far!

Don't know what I'm going to do today...maybe nothing. I will probably try to get some sleep. The puppy dog woke me up way too early, after being out last night.

Anyway.....off for now.

TTFN,
Stacey

[justmestace]

pirate: princess: :teeth:

AND ANOTHER T.O.P. FOR ME!!!!!!!!

The race is on!

[jilljill]

You just had to do that didn't you?!? :teeth: :crazy: :cool:
I might have to add a bit to your total once I figure it out.

The house is finally starting to look like a house now. We have siding, plumbing, duct work, a tub and a shower. It still looks like a lot of work to be ready in a little over 2 months. But then I look at this house and realize we have a ton of work to do in less time.

I'm off to the beach for a couple of days.
Be good while I'm gone again ::yes::

[justmestace]

Boy.....WDW, the beach.....and they say I'M gone a lot!!!

Have fun!!!

I'll save the next TOP for you! ;)

[jilljill]

OK, so now the beach will be a weekly occurance for the next couple of months to see DD. But you are still gone more than I am since I only have to drive there and you fly wherever you are off to. I really want to see if I can go to WDW next month too, but I don't think that's going to happen.

[justmestace]

NEXT MONTH TOO ???? Wow.

So, what did gaRry say?? Have you heard?

47 days....is that us?? Cool.

[jilljill]

Haven't heard from gaRry, but his DW is happy.
47 days is us for August.

[justmestace]

:Pinkbounc :bounce: :hyper: :hyper:

46 days!!!!!

I think I'm only allowed two countdown timers...is that right??

Wish I could put one on for August......guess I'll just have to keep looking at yours!!

[jilljill]

I will let you use my countdown clock, I don't mind.

[Catnip0113]

Wow, you guys really do travel a lot. You both inspired me to make reservations in October for Ogunquit, Maine. It is a 2 1/2 hour drive from CT. I stayed at a place on the beach with my mother 2 yrs ago and now I am taking DH. He will love the walkway over the cliffs and the shops (he likes art and antiques). We may also go to the casino for a night this summer. I don't know what I am always waiting for, you never know how long you have to enjoy yourself. I think my parents may come to the casino with us.

Does Jilljill live in Chicago? It doesn't say on her location, but I thought that was it. That is only a 14 hour drive to WDW? It seems much farther. I think it is 18 hours from here, I could never drive that far. When we drove to Virginia Beach we drove 8 hours and stayed overnight. I suppose it is cheaper to drive even with the gas prices. They are probably higher in CT than elsewhere anyway. I paid $2.14 a gallon last time I got it...

Cathy

[jilljill]

Cathy, we do travel a lot. We live in Delaware and lately it's been running about the same amount to drive as it is to fly to WDW. We usually drive overnight and straight thru. We've been doing it since DD was 2½ and we really don't mind the drive, unless we happen to get a ticket in southern VA - makes the trip very, very expensive.
We only have the trip to WDW planned for the rest of the year. But you never know what else will pop up for us. We own a timeshare and just have to use it ::yes:: :hyper: .

[justmestace]

Hi Cathy,
I didn't always travel as much, but now that the kids are older, it's easier.
Usually for me it's Vegas, because the flights are cheap, and I get free rooms and food. And it's a weekend thing.
Never was able to talk DH into leaving his work, but since we watched his father fail, he seems more ready to get away and spend time with the family.
jilljill is in Delaware. (Hope it's okay that I said that...now EVERYONE will be able to stalk her!...Ooops)

Taking a trip to Maine like that sounds heavenly! I hope you get to do it.
You guys are so lucky to have a coast so close. I love the ocean. My dream is to live near one someday. Not California.....an island in the Caribbean somewhere, still looking for the perfect place.

I paid $2.09 yesterday for gas. The TV stations were reporting that our gas was down to $1.99, but they don't come up here to our little tourist-trap of a town!!!
And to think, I remember the days when my girlfriends and I would empty our change from our purses and have enough gas to cruise around, and still give the car back to mom with gas in it!!! LOL

TTFN,
Stacey

[jilljill]

Originally posted by justmestace
jilljill is in Delaware. (Hope it's okay that I said that...now EVERYONE will be able to stalk her!...Ooops)

Yup, all 10 of the people that live in the state will be stalking me thanks to you :teeth: :wave2: :cool: .

[justmestace]

:teeth: HA...get this! I had gotten an offer in the mail from the Mirage for the penthouse suite again. My host, Bobby was in Belize getting married, so I talked to someone else about the dates that I wanted. She couldn't do it for me, so I left Bobby a message.
He just called....asked me when I wanted to come, got me the suite!
Jay and I will be going up there August 28-31. Jay doesn't know it yet, but hey, when they call you and ask you , how are you gonna say no?????

[justmestace]

We should be getting close to another TOP by now.
I think I just set one of you up!!!

[justmestace]

:crazy: pirate: Maybe I will just fluff my way up there!!

Counting the 60 seconds they make me wait to post again

[jilljill]

Is it you or me?!? :teeth:

[justmestace]

:Pinkbounc This should be a T.O.P.

Unless, of course, jilljill is lurking, waiting to pounce!!!


YOU ARE A MAJOR THIEF!!!!

[jilljill]

Originally posted by justmestace
:Pinkbounc This should be a T.O.P.

Unless, of course, jilljill is lurking, waiting to pounce!!!
I guess I pounced and was a pirate: .
And to think my connection is slow and I timed it perfectly :hyper: .

[justmestace]

Why are you on the computer, when you have a beach to enjoy???

I think I hear your mother calling you!!!

[jilljill]

My mom is not calling me because she's out on the golfcart with DD. They are probably out chasing boys.
Since I am here all the time the beach is not a big deal to me, and I hate sand. Also, it's hot out there and it's a land breeze - yuck hot and bugs!!!

[Catnip0113]

We stopped in Delaware when we drove to Virginia Beach! I don't remember the town. Then we drove down the Delmarva peninsula. It was only then that I got what that name came from! DEL for Delaware, MAR for Maryland and VA for Virginia! I am a 50 minute to an hour drive from Long Island Sound, I don't go there much either. Growing up our town was on the Sound and we had a town beach and a park on a marina. You had to be a resident to go there. It is 80 degrees here, but the humidity is going down. I have to go grocery shopping soon.

Cathy

[jilljill]

Cathy, I think just about everyone who lives on the east coast and drives can say they drove thru DE but no one can remember anything about it. If you drove thru it on I-95 you were in DE for about 16 miles and probably stopped in Newark or Wilmington. We live about 4 miles from I-95 and our new house will be about the same distance.

Stacey, I forget that not everyone lives near the coast and I keep wondering why everyone thinks it's a big deal to book a beach excursion.

[jilljill]

Stacey, I can book you a 2 bedroom suite at the GF for Aug., it's only $6177.08 for the 4 nights. Do you need 2 of them?!? :earseek: :eek:

[justmestace]

Originally posted by jilljill
Stacey, I can book you a 2 bedroom suite at the GF for Aug., it's only $6177.08 for the 4 nights. Do you need 2 of them?!? :earseek: :eek:

GEEZ...is that ALL???? Give me three of them, then!!!!:earseek:

You'll have to ask Vicki if Garry knew, since he's not saying.


And, yes....any beach is better than a bunch of desert sand.
A lot of peole find great beauty in the desert. I'm sorry. I grew up in Nebraska, where everything is green, and there are flowers. The mountains behind my house can be pretty at sunset, when there's an orange glow around them....but that's about all.
The reason I came here was to get away from snow, though...so I take it for what it is.

[jilljill]

I called CR again this morning - the only rooms available at the GF are the 2 bedroom suites. Looks like you got a room just in time. I can't imagine what is going on there that ALL rooms are booked.

[Catnip0113]

I am trying to figure out what the GF is... oh, Grand Floridian? Isn't that the most expensive resort in WDW?

Overall I love New England, but I do complain a lot. I like the changing seasons, but there is a lot of boring drab time. Like we have a lot of winters without much snow, but there are no leaves and it is all gray. Having snow is actually nicer except when it is actually coming down and you have to be driving in it. We have Nor'easters which are big comma shaped storms off the coast that bring wind and rain inland. They tend to erode the beaches and flood people's homes that live right on the beach. Today it is one of the 10 best days of the year as they say though. It is only in the 70's and sunny with bright blue skies. Once summer gets going we get a lot of hazy sunshine which is not as gorgeous.

I was in Wilmington, DE once on business too in 1987. It was at some insurance company, but I remember DuPont being there, is that right? I was installing an annuity payout system there for 2 weeks (I am a computer programmer).

Cathy :eek:

[justmestace]

Originally posted by jilljill
I called CR again this morning - the only rooms available at the GF are the 2 bedroom suites. Looks like you got a room just in time. I can't imagine what is going on there that ALL rooms are booked.

I hope it's not that crowded!! Why would anyone (other than us)
want to be there when it's that hot??
We, of course, don't care about the heat, as we will be "hopping" from one cool drink to another!
Anyway...don't worry about the rooms. I'll just say "CHARGE!"

Cathy, I've never had the opportunity to see your area. I know a lot of people who travel through the Northeast (especially in the fall) and describe the beauty. But, I guess it's like us here, when you've looked at it forever, you tend to look beyond it.
We live in a tourist town....western decor, an area called "Frontier Town".....I live here and work here, and am always curious as to what the tourists see in it. I've forgotten the times we used to drive up here, even before DD#1 was born, just to be tourists ourselves!!

[Catnip0113]

What kind of things can people do in Frontier Town? Are there dude ranches where you can herd cattle and ride horses? I know what you mean, CT has a lot of tourists in the summer I guess. We have cottages on the ocean and quaint bed and breakfasts. There are lots of small towns like you see in movies. I can't imagine Christmas without the cold weather, but then it gets old fast. It must be nice to have Halloween without coats covering the costumes! :jester:

[jilljill]

I know all to well about the tourists from being at the beach. But then I also live in a college town and that is worse the rest of the year. I absolutely hate it when college starts and can't wait for the school year to end. My mom still laughs at me when I complain about school starting. I always say the only thing worse than the college students is their parents. We have a lot of one way streets here and they all want to go the wrong direction and they drive slow looking for where to go. Then we get all the older Asian students who have no clue how to drive around here (don't mean to offend anyone, just telling the truth).
Can you tell I hate living in town and that's part of the reason we are moving?!? :confused: It may only be 4 miles away but it will seem like lightyears without all the students around us. We have a lot of rentals on our street and they can cause major problems. I guess you could say I'm getting older and don't tolerate it as well, but I have always been this way when in comes to the students around us.
Enough of that rant :smooth: .

[justmestace]

Sorry I wasn't here last night...couldn't get on the boards! It's like losing your best friend when that happens!

I know what jilljill means with the renters, and the students. The house across the street from my Mom and Dad's is a rental and one year there were a bunch of college boys who rented it. Talk about party central! Glad they only lasted a year.

We don't have a neighborhood. My area is all 5 acre parcels, and there are only 5 houses on our private road. I can only see part of one house from mine. But a new one is going up on the land bordering ours, so that will be fun. Just thinking of the trucks, dust, noise...yuck. And it's only a one lane road.
The furthest house is a rental. People rent it while waiting for their own house to be built, and I swear each time someone moves out, I want to get their new address and go zoom past their house at 90 miles an hour like they do through here. We put up "Children At Play" signs, and 15 mph speed limit signs, but it doesn't stop them. My kids could never ride their bikes out of our driveway because they all seem to drive like maniacs. One of them hit our dog once.
Our favorite thing to do is to manage to be in front of one of them while they are on their way in or out. Then we drive about 2 miles an hour just to tick them off. It's only one lane, so they can't go around. I love it!

Anyway....Frontier Town is an area on our Main Street that's all western. Wood sidewalks, western shops, a western restaurant, shoot-outs, the whole nine yards.
Most of the buildings in town used to have to be designed with a western theme. Now they're letting them do some Santa Fe.
When you first move here it's cute, then it gets nauseating, then you just don't notice anymore.
Our main street is probably only a mile long. It leads up to Carefree, which is supposedly the "rich" town. There's more "old" money in Cave Creek (where we are), but you can't tell them that. They look down on us Cave Creekers (literally). But most of them have no class whatsoever.
It's an interesting place, that's for sure.
Gotta run....have a good one!
Stacey

[justmestace]

Just thought I'd see if I could grab a T.O.P.!!!pirate:

[jilljill]

Originally posted by justmestace
Just thought I'd see if I could grab a T.O.P.!!!pirate:
You thief pirate: ::yes:: :hyper: .

Are you trying to tell us that your town and the next town are like the kids from The Outsiders?!? :confused:

[justmestace]

Originally posted by jilljill
You thief pirate: ::yes:: :hyper: .

Are you trying to tell us that your town and the next town are like the kids from The Outsiders?!? :confused:

:p Yeah...I guess that would be true.

[jilljill]

So I guess in the other town' minds you are from the wrong side of the tracks and in your mind they are from the wrong side of the tracks.
I always tell my parents they live on the wrong side of the tracks. Even though we live closer to campus than they do, it seems like they have more electrical outages and cable outages than we do. And we really do have to go over or under the railroad tracks to get to their house. ::yes:: :yo-yo:

[justmestace]

They definitely think we are all from the wrong side of the tracks.
No railroads here, though. But the old stage line used to run right through our property!

We here in Cave Creek just think the Carefree people are a bunch of phony wannabes. Most of them are in debt up to their eyeballs. I laugh because my new Equinox looks just like the Lexus SUV, only mine was at least $10,000 cheaper. They all drive Hummers, Cadillac SUV's....and never go off-road with them. I can see a Suburban, that makes sense if you need the space, but not a Hummer.
Then there are the 80 year olds, driving their Jags 15 mph down the road. I want to tell them "Give me that car! I'll show you how to drive it" and then I'd get a ticket. LOL

[jilljill]

Wow, that sounds like something I would say ::yes:: :earseek: .
So I guess that means that I will just continue to drive my Land Rover on this side of the country so you can't make fun of me :tongue: :cool: .

[justmestace]

Sounds to me like you have plenty of rain and mud to slosh through. You can keep your Land Rover. (You're welcome)

I have the Equinox and a Yukon XL. Blame the gas prices on me!

In my defense, I have to drive across the creek (even if it is dry) everyday to get in and out of my property. Sometimes it floods. And it's a bumpy dirt road. So, I need the big 4 wheel drive.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it! :smooth:

[justmestace]

I read my post about the Hummers and Caddys. It didn't sound right. I guess what I've always said (being ever-so-frugal) is that I'd rather save the extra bucks, get the GMC, go to WDW, and just put a sign on the back of my cheaper car that says "I'm Rich"

Because, here, that's why they drive the cars they do. Status symbol.

[jilljill]

OK, I will blame the gas prices on you. But we have a truck and my LR. The only mud that mine has been sloshing thru is on the road at the new house, I don't take it off road, I just had to have it last year. I did get the smaller one so we could take our trips and Jay got a smaller truck to keep the vacations going too. I like to drive something nice, but not when it would cost me going on vacation or buying jewelry - gotta compromise somewhere.
Now, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Speaking of jewelry, gonna run to the jewelry store now.

[jilljill]

Bad idea going to the jewelry store today - found a ring I fell in love with and I have a diamond that I want to get reset :scratchin :tilt: .

[justmestace]

I am not allowed inside a jewelry store anymore! :(
It's just too dangerous.

I wasdriving through our town yesterday and I started to laugh. Hadn't given this much thought in a long time, until we started to discuss this little place.
We have some pretty odd names of businesses.
There's the world famous (it truly has been written up in several publications) store owned by our friend Maddy: THE TOWN DUMP
You can buy a little bit of everything, and a whole lot of nothing here.
Other stores: Trader Bart's, The Lazy Lizard
Restaurants:
Bad Donkey Deli
Buzzard's Breath
Goatsucker
and two of my personal favorites:
The Horny Toad and
The Satisfied Frog

No kidding!
Our only motel is called The Tumbleweed.

Try living with that every day!!!

Have a good one,
Stacey

[justmestace]

:bored: So, here I am...talking to myself again. And dragging us out of the dungeon.
It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it!

I'll be glad when our countdown timers get under the 400 day mark.......seems so far away!

I was thinking about how cool (and weird) it will be to be at a different port & terminal. Pretty exciting....everything all new and "uncharted"!

[jilljill]

Sorry I wasn't here to talk to you yesterday. I actually had to work, and then the men were still working on the electrical stuff when I got home then we went to dinner and had a few drinks with the restaurant owner. A tough job but someone has to do it.

I didn't realize your town was that 'western' or touristy. We really only have The Deer Park with any stories related to it. Edgar Allen Poe used to frequent there and rumor has it spent a lot of time passed out in front of the place. In fact, the tavern's symbol is a raven after Poe's The Raven.

[jilljill]

I guess tonight it's my turn to drag us out of the basement and talk to myself.
We have been furniture shopping and then went to DQ for ice cream - what a way to spend a Friday night.

[justmestace]

I sat outside in 112 degree heat and watched softball. Then we went to Sonic. At least furniture stores are air conditioned!!!

:sunny: :sunny:

[justmestace]

pirate: HA! ANOTHER T.O.P. FOR THE QUEEN!!!! princess:

[jilljill]

Originally posted by justmestace
I sat outside in 112 degree heat and watched softball. Then we went to Sonic. At least furniture stores are air conditioned!!!

:sunny: :sunny:
I will take furniture shopping in the rain over sitting outside in 112° heat anyday.
Never have eaten at Sonic. We may have to try it on our August trip.

[jilljill]

Originally posted by justmestace
pirate: HA! ANOTHER T.O.P. FOR THE QUEEN!!!! princess:
Easy to do when you talk to yourself :hyper: :chat: :laughing: :tilt: :rolleyes1 :bored: :earboy2: .

[justmestace]

:chat: Well, if there were more than four of us cruising, I wouldn't have to talk to myself!!
And being waaayyy out west here, I'm up later than you are. It's lonely!:(

I'm not impressed with Sonic. Our friends live and breathe it, so that's where we always go. At least they have outside seating, so the dog could come too. He wasn't impressed, either.

How come my keyboard doesn't have one of those little circles (the degrees) for temperature? It's brand-new. Is there a trick?

[justmestace]

:rolleyes1 :hyper2: This is me, talking to myself!!

Do you see a hidden agenda?

[justmestace]

POST # 200 !!!!!!!!


:smooth: I TOLD you I had a hidden agenda!!! ::yes::



:thewave: :thewave: :thewave:

[jilljill]

Originally posted by justmestace
[BHow come my keyboard doesn't have one of those little circles (the degrees) for temperature? It's brand-new. Is there a trick? [/B]
Your keyboard does have °. There are lots of hidden icons on your keyboard, here are just a few of them:
� ž Ÿ ¢ £ ¤ ¥ ¦ § ¨ © « ¬ __® ¯ ° ± ² ³ µ ¶ · ¸ º » ¼ ½ ¿

[justmestace]

And you're not going to tell me where they are???!!:mad:

[jilljill]

Originally posted by justmestace
And you're not going to tell me where they are???!!:mad:
I will tell you later, remember you are supposed to be running out the door now :teeth: :crazy: :jester: :smooth: :wave2: .

[jilljill]

Do you like this °o° ?

[jilljill]

DD is home from the beach for the night. They came up to see my nephew's All Star game and hi team won and he has another game tomorrow night at 6:00. They are going to that game and then head back down to the beach. It's weird having her home for the night.

[jilljill]

No lottery winnings for me tonight :mad: - will have to try again for wed. night ::yes:: .

[justmestace]

12**/:>@~` You are sooo mean! I've tried all these keys, and NOTHING!@#$% 0025***
I could read the book...but that would be work.

[justmestace]

Retaliation time


Fluff

FLuff


:smooth:

[justmestace]

I'm going to get in trouble with my boss because of you, jilljill.

I'm supposed to be typing invoices! No invoices, no money...no money, no shopping at WDW......:(

[justmestace]

ANOTHER T.O.P. FOR THE QUEEN!!!!!!!


Payback time!!!!


:thewave:

Teach you to be mean and not tell me how to do fancy stuff on my computer.

[jilljill]

Sure, you are being the 'fluff queen' and I'm at work making a few pennies for my trip. When you talk to yourself enough and have enough 'fluff' you can get another T.O.P.

To get the fancy characters you hold down the ALT key and use your number pad. To get ½, it is ALT 0189. You have to use the number pad or it won't work. You can just keep playing around with the sequence to get the different characters.
I actually learned this when I was selling Longaberger because we had to use the ® and © when doing our mailings and correspondance.

Now I told you so you have to be nice to me for a while.
Also, tell your boss I'll owe him a drink just so you don't get in trouble.

[jilljill]

Hey Stace, I just looked and that last T.O.P. you pirate: put you at 100 posts for this thread. Wow you really do like to talk :chat: :laughing: :rotfl: :hyper2: :love2: .

[justmestace]

:teeth: Thank you!! And my boss thanks you, too......as long as you don't let me spend too much of his money in WDW!

[jilljill]

Originally posted by justmestace
:teeth: Thank you!! And my boss thanks you, too......as long as you don't let me spend too much of his money in WDW!
I'm sorry I can't help it if you spend too much money at WDW. But you have to remember that I can 'wreak havoc' at WDW.

[justmestace]

:hyper: I'm ready to be your partner in crime!

Not too worried about the boss. While I did 3 loads of laundry, and all the invoices....he took a nap! :mad:

[jilljill]

Originally posted by justmestace
:hyper: I'm ready to be your partner in crime!

:jumping1: :jumping1: :jumping1: :jumping1: :jumping1:
Get ready partner, you're in for quite a ride :teeth:

[justmestace]

All of a sudden, I'm thinking gaRry isn't the only one who should be afraid! :scared:

[jilljill]

Originally posted by justmestace
All of a sudden, I'm thinking gaRry isn't the only one who should be afraid! :scared:
:love2: :earseek: :teeth:
Now, why do you think you should be :scared1: ?!?

[justmestace]

Originally posted by jilljill
:jumping1: :jumping1: :jumping1: :jumping1: :jumping1:
Get ready partner, you're in for quite a ride :teeth:


All this time, I thought the scariest ride would be Tower of Terror!!! ;)

[justmestace]

Few more days, and our countdown timers will be below the 400 mark. :Pinkbounc
Then it won't look like forever quite as much.

This is the furthest out I have ever planned a vacation. Except for DD's wedding....but that was no vacation. :crazy:

[jilljill]

Stacey, make sure your credit cards are ready to hit the registers. I'm thinking we should go to Chef Mickey's on Thurs. night, at the Contemporary. I think I might call them and make the PS. How does 8:00 sound for you?!? Will have to check with Garry too.


Be afraid, be very afraid!!! :)

[justmestace]

That sounds good......never been there, either. We had a PS for it last time, and never managed to get over there.
Is there any shopping there? Megan and I had thought about going to DownTown Disney that night, just to the shopping area. Hadn't quite figured out how to get there....but it sounds like more fun to go to Chef Mickey's!

[jilljill]

Of course the Cont. has shopping - why do you think I want to go there?!? :hyper: Besides that's where I want to show you jewelry ::yes:: :earseek: .


BTW, did you realize that your last post was #222 on the thread, I know how you like numbers.

[jilljill]

I haven't eaten at Chef Mickey's since they moved it to the Cont. It used to be at the Marketplace, many moons ago, and it wasn't a character meal then either.

[jilljill]

I knew I could talk to myself to make it to the T.O.P. :hyper: :crazy: . No wonder no one wants to join the thread with us.

[justmestace]

:Pinkbounc SHOPPING!:Pinkbounc

And FOOD!!! What more could a person want???????

Sounds like a plan. 35 days! Whoo Hoo!!

[jilljill]

Shopping, food and DRINKS :drinking: :drinking1 and the most important of all ::MickeyMo - what more could you ask for?!? Oh yes the excitement of meeting ME and Garry. You are going to have a blast and a half :hyper: :earseek: :sunny: :teeth: .

[justmestace]

First I have to make it through my visit at my parent's house.

Actually, that's a good thing...it will make time go faster, rather than sit here and check off 35 days from the calender!

[Catnip0113]

I have been gone a long time, I had to catch up on pages of posts! My home computer died and I have been too busy at work to get on here. Today it is quieter and my boss left early. I brought it to the shop to get fixed so I should have it back in a few days. Then I have to reinstall everything (if they have to clean off the hard drive and start it over).

I enjoyed the talk about your hometown Stacey and especially the names of the stores and restaurants. People drive fast on my road too, but it is two lanes and even though it is a country road, it connects to a main State route after 2 miles and people cut through. A lot of our roads are hilly and windy so you have to go slower. People are always driving over the yellow lines on corners and they scare me to death. I will be so scared when DD starts to drive! :eek:

[Catnip0113]

:bounce: I went under 400 days because I put it the day we leave for California! Hurray! :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :

[justmestace]

:( Hey...no fair, Cathy!!! 399 looks good, though, doesn't it??


Gripe for the day: We have people buildng a house up the road from us, and today they graded the road.
Why, you say, would I gripe about that???

Because now they will all drive even faster! Someday, somebody's going to get killed, and I hope it isn't me. We have tried to slow them down. DH even dug a big trench in the road (his own speed bump)....which is now flat.

I taught my oldest to be very careful along here, and to always look near the spots we know are bad, and I'm already teaching the other two. They saw 2 of our dogs get hit...one killed...so they know.
Don't get me wrong, out on the highway (and sometimes through town) I go a little faster than I should.....but out here where you can't see around the curves and stuff....that's stupid.

I figured you were gone, Cathy....glad you'll be back up and online soon. We need at least one more voice so that Barb and I don't get too carried away with our WDW trip talk!

Once that trip is over, we'll have to really start in on the cruise planning!!!

Gotta run,
TTYL,
Stacey

[jilljill]

Yes, what are we going to talk about when we get back in August :confused: ?!? I hadn't thought of that. It could be the new house until we move, and then what :confused: ?!?

[jilljill]

Stacey,
:thewave: Chef Mickey's, 8/5 at 7:50 :thewave:

[justmestace]

Did Garry say he'd be there? Did he say if he was going to meet me when I arrive. I've been practicing my "Rodeo Queen" wave!

(elbow, elbow, wrist, wrist)

[jilljill]

gaRry and Greg will be there - he needs to check with DW again. Just think 5 weeks from today and it's ::MickeyMo , Barb and Garry time for you - are you really :scared1: :scared: .
:jumping1: :jumping1: :jumping1: :jumping1: :jumping1:

[Catnip0113]

I have to reinstall everything but it is so much faster again! They gave me Norton Internet Security which is supposed to prevent spyware from invading my hard drive. There was another guy there with the same problem...

Your road sounds scary, it is like our windy, hilly road which is two lanes but around corners people cross the center line because it is rare for another vehicle to be coming the other way, but there seems to be one a little bit too much for me. Once 4 teenagers were trying to hitchhike on a blind corner so I had to avoid them and hope no one was coming the other way! Yikes.

I have to pick up my DD at play rehearsal now, she is in the summer youth theater, they are doing "Cinderella".

Cathy

[justmestace]

Hi Cathy... I think it's just a matter of time before someone gets hurt or killed on our road. Miracle it hasn't happened already.
Cinderella! How fun! What part does she have? Is it a local theater? We used to have Missoula (Montana) Children's Theater come twice a year. Every kid got a part, no matter what. We've grown too much for them to do that now. But my oldest loved it! She's our actress. It's not her real job, but her one true passion.

These next five weeks are going to fly by....considering I will be in and out of town so much. I'll probably really be frazzled by the time I get there. I won't know where I am, or what time zone I'm in!!!:hyper:

I wish we could get some ideas of excursions for the Mexican Riviera. I have looked online, but it's too hard to guess. And I've been thinking, we usually go it on our own....but we are totally unfamiliar with this area. I think we may stick with whatever DCL offers. What do you guys think?

Cathy, did you make the reservations for the 3 day (or is it 2?) pre-cruise thing at Disneyland? It's the only booking they were allowing so far, right? We did. We'll be at the Grand Californian before the cruise. Going to keep the standard room with the bunk beds. Not going to upgrade to a suite. When I looked at the pictures I took in my suite, I finally figured out why the room seemed so blah.....they have no pictures on the walls! Still only one bathroom...just not worth it. In fact, as close as we are, we should have just flown in on cruise day. Saved a Disneyland trip for a cooler, less expensive time. But, what the heck....might as well enjoy a couple of extra "Mouse" days.

TTYL,
Stacey

[jilljill]

:Pinkbounc Yeah, Cathy's computer is working again!!!

We have been to Puerto Vallarta for a week and may just go into town for a little bit and then just relax on the ship. Not sure about the other 2 ports.

[jilljill]

Lets' get on the ship Sat. and stay there until next year ::yes::

[jilljill]

I don't like being an adult - too many responsibilities. I want to be a kid again and not have to worry about packing up a house to sell it and then move and unpack. But I really do want to move. Next time I'm selling the house as is and buying all new after I move.

[jilljill]

See what happens when you complain - you get a T.O.P.!!! :bounce:

Have a nice night everyone. Have to get up early, going to the beach for the day :wave: .

[Catnip0113]

We did book the 2 night "3 day" thing at Disney. We fly in on Thursday (they count that day) and they count Saturday when we have to board the ship. To me it is just one real day. I think we got the Disneyland Hotel and that was the only choice available. Maybe that was the only thing AAA had available, "whatever" (to quote the youngun's). I was just reading about Coronado Springs at WDW and that sounds nice. Is that in Animal Kingdom resort do you know?

The youth theater production of Cinderella is the type where everyone gets a part too. It costs $60 if you can afford it, but they won't turn anyone away. She tried out for a few parts, but the big ones go to high school kids (she is going into 8th grade). She is happy being in the ensemble and she has one shared line with another girl in the village scene. They have fun playing cards backstage until their turn. She is in the big cast numbers for the ball too. She gets to waltz.


Cathy

[Catnip0113]

This is the first time I am talking to myself on this thread. I bet you are both off for the long weekend? I am visiting my parents tomorrow (and my sister), but other than that just relaxing at home.

I am so happy to have my computer back!

Cathy

[jilljill]

Hi Cathy, Coronado Springs is not an Animal Kingdom resort. It is closer to Epcot. I have known a couple of people that have stayed there and they didn't really like it. I like to shop there, but that's all. I didn't care for their 'food court' either. You get the food yourself and then when you pay they add a 10% gratuity to your bill :confused: .

We are going to fly in the day before the cruise and either stay near the port or hope my friend will put us up for the night. At least he can point us in the right direction for a hotel if we don't stay with him. Then we are going to stay for a week afterwards. I thought about staying a week then going on the cruise, but that would be such a let down to go home right after the cruise. This way we can stay out there longer and have fun. Also, we won't have to lug our purchases on the ship with us.

We will just be packing some more this weekend. We went to see DD at the beach today and went shopping at the outlets. That was a BIG mistake - I bought another Waterford light :eek: .

[justmestace]

I'm here! I don't leave until Monday. I'll be doing laundry & packing for the trip tomorrow.
Cathy, I wasn't sure if we'd talked about this or not.....my daughter & I are going to Las Vegas to meet a couple of oter moms & daughters who will be cruising with us at Christmas.

In case you hadn't figured it out yet, jilljill is our shopper!
I never would have thought about doing DL after the cruise, so that I wouldn't have to drag my packages along! Nope...I'm the dummy who did a week in WDW and then drug my packages on the cruise. But HA, jilljill....just wait until your DD decides to get married on DCL. THEN you'll find out just how much stuff you have to drag onto the ship!!!::yes:: :earseek:

Hey hey.......399 days! We finally met one hurdle!!!

Aahh...off to bed ....my old bones need to lay down. I slept really badly last night and woke up with a pulled muscle right behind my shoulder blade. Hoping it will be gone by morning.

ANyway.....good night and a great weekend! Will check in to see if everyone enjoyed fireworks!
Stacey

[justmestace]

Good Morning!!!!!

Off and running this a.m. Just wanted to say hi!

I was looking at my countdown timer. I set it for Sail-Away. Couldn't figure out why it still had 8 hours on it this morning...added it up.....that's when we be pushing away!

See ya later,
Stacey

[jilljill]

Thanks for the 'wish' that DD will want to get married on Castaway Cay. She has always said she wants to get married in England :earseek: :earseek: . How do I get everything over there?!? :confused:

I can't help it if I'm a shopper and think ahead of some things. I learned my lesson 2 years ago that you have to shop wisely or send it home, or else you will end up buying a suitcase that you dind't need (AGAIN!!!::yes:: :eek: ) Have had to do that too many times.
I just can't wait to see you shop next month when you have a 'bad influence' (me!!) around.

[justmestace]

Do you know how many suitcases I have, for the very same reason???
I have become the family joke because of having to buy suitcases to put all my purchases in.:jester:
I thought I could trick them last year.....I took an empty suitcase...didn't fool them for a second.

I have an illness lately that may prevent me from buying too much. Not sure why, but lately I keep hearing a voice that says "Yes, but do you really NEED that?"
I think DH has been playing tapes in my ear at night while I'm sleeping!!:smooth:

[jilljill]

Originally posted by justmestace
I have an illness lately that may prevent me from buying too much. Not sure why, but lately I keep hearing a voice that says "Yes, but do you really NEED that?"
I think DH has been playing tapes in my ear at night while I'm sleeping!!:smooth:
That voice is saying that so you can buy more next month :hyper: ::yes:: :teeth: .