Disneyzellin through the Panama Canal,12/9 - 12/23 on the Wonder Updated 6/9/13 - Page 10 - The DIS Discussion Forums

DisneyZell · 02-20-2013, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neg58

Umm, we're waiting to sail through the Canal.

Nancy

I know, I know. As DW says I was out of town, so that is my excuse. Actually it's not. The main cause of the delay was that I needed to scan some pictures and my #$*#@$* printer would not behave. It appears that I have managed to get it under control, so another episode coming right up!

Quote:

Originally Posted by tokyodisneydad

He may be up to the day the ship hit the iceberg and he doesnt want to recall those bad memories.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bitlerzx4

DCL flash mob... so awesome!

yes, yes it was.

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuiltTeddy

Drew.....gotta love Ford's Microsoft Sync....for some reason I don't have either your email any more, or Deannas. No clue why when I synced the blue tooth with the new phone it dumped you. Can one of you guys email me please?

Tx.

Fortunately DW took care of this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dededisney

I just pm'd you so you should have our email addresses again...sometimes I really dislike computers (only b/c I never know how to fix things when they go wrong!)

For everyone else waiting to hear the rest of our adventures, I am too! But alas, Drew is and has been out of town all week (and last week for that matter), but you can still prod him (he needs that every now and then).

Hey, wait a minute, there is no need to prod me. I'm sure I'll have this done by next december.

almost there folks!

DZ

DisneyZell · 02-20-2013, 05:37 PM

So the day we had all been waiting for had arrived. No sleep and bleary eyed we had Mickey call use about 5:30am. We wanted to be up on top so we could see the ship pass under the Bridge of the America's. Good thing we went up when we did, too as 1 or two other folks came up with the same idea. We were up on Deck 10 on the Starboard side (that's the right to you and me

).

Disney had Coffee and Pastries up there (almost like they had done this before). I, of course, had my book.

Thank god they had food...I was starting to get hungry!

After the sun came up you could really get an idea of how many people were up on deck. it was packed!

So here is the question of the day for you all to weigh-in on. If you get up early and get a spot on the rail for trips such as this...should you feel guilty when people arrive with their kids who want to be able to see? I, of course do, and usually figure out a way to get them in...but frankly we didn't this time. We did make room for friends, which to me is different. But going beyond the Panama Canal...say to watching fireworks, etc. If you had the forethought to get there early...should you move and allow kids in front of you? Curious what you all thing.

Anyhoo...

The sun coming up over the many ships in the harbor. There were tons of them..so pretty cool looking, all cooling their heals to wait their turn. You can, of course, move yourself to the front of the line if you are willing to pay extra. Disney pays extra to do this. I'm guessing all the cruise ships do.

Here is Panama City. and here is a rantish type of thing.

I don't understand why we weren't allowed to do excursions in Panama City. Disney would have made money, and since we were moored all night they could have let people off at like 9pm and required all aboard at, say, 4am or something. I would totally have gone into the city to see what was what...and I think that would be great. But alas this was not an option. Of course I would have then been exhausted from lack of sleep....wait a minute, I was anyway.

Here are DW and I

People, people everywhere...

In front, behind, everywhere!

Here comes the bridge of the Americas. Which is a more beautiful sight? hmmm? which one? c'mon, this one is easy!

This pic gives you an idea of how close the ship is going under that bridge. It seemed like a few feet, but I'm sure it was 15 or 20 feet. Still....pretty amazing to see a huge ship go under a huge bridge. Cool stuff!

Tugboats shadowed us the whole way...though I don't think we ever actually used them. Think of the money that could be saved if they would just not use so many for the ships that don't need them. But to a certain degree I'm guessing they need to justify the high cost...and need to be there just in case something goes wrong.

Approaching the first lock. Very exciting as this was definitely on my bucket list!

These are the "Mules" that are attached to the ship. I think we had 8 of them, two on each side in the front and back. They are basically heavy duty trains....but they are not there to pull the ship through the locks...it moves on it's own power. These are there to keep the ship from hitting the sides. At least that's what they were supposed to do.

After going under the bridge we figured we would go down to our balcony for a better view. Doug and Audrey came with us and we did get a great view off our own balcony...and really made the upgrade worth it.

DisneyZell · 02-20-2013, 05:39 PM

Here is everyone else on their balconies. It took about 45 minutes to go through each lock. And There is a Zach sighting!

This is a picture looking down from the balcony. As you can see there are only a few feet separating the wall from the side of the ship.

The Mules are there, as I said, to keep the ship from hitting the side of the canal. As we stood there and watched...it got closer...and closer, and finally SCREEECH as the ship ran into the wall. Someone is going to have to pay for that! Lots of new paint! We didn't get pictures until much later in the cruise....but here are a few:

This was after a few ports, and alot of painting. My guess is that they couldn't paint the really bad ones so they could make an insurance claim. Just a guess...but it is the only explanation I have for why these didn't get painted. We also heard that they always get dinged up going through the canal...so apparently this is expected.

And another shot....

This is what it looked like from the front of the ship as we approached the locks.

See the building with the red roof? That one ends up being really close to us as we go by...

This is the same building...we could have reached out and shaken hands with the folks in the building. Pretty amazing.

Audrey snapped a quick picture of us...

Here is what the lock door looked on the lock next to us. Pretty cool looking and amazing what is accomplished.

My favorite fact about the whole thing is that the entire system is gravity fed...the water does not get pumped in or out, but is done from the lake above. Luckily they get a boatload of water each year...or they would be in trouble. The new locks they are building will reclaim some of the water. I think they are thinking ahead...

Another ship was coming in right behind us.

Another shot down the side of the ship. Incredible!

And the pictures I had to scan....

A picture of the front of the ship. DW bought a little portfolio which had three pictures. This was the one in front.

This is incredible from a different point of view than my shooting a picture down the side. It really shows you how much room there is on each side...not much!

And the professional picture of DW and I.

So at some point Dw really started feeling bad. She spent most of the day on her bed. Again it was nice that we had the Balcony, not sure if she would have made it out on deck without that. This would last for a couple of days...and it knocked me out too. Not sure if it was sympathy or what, but I took alot of naps during the days when DW was out...and never felt quite right. So either we got the same thing and it affected me different or I'm just weird. No comment DW!!!

Missed dinner in the dining room...been a long while since that has happened...but with DW feeling bad I didn't feel like making it. So no go there.

and for some reason I'm missing my towel animal picture. How frustrating is that?

Thanks for waiting for this episode...I'll try to be more timely next time.

Next up: Day 12: Caragena..and probably Day 13 Day at sea...not much there!

DZ

tokyodisneydad · 02-20-2013, 07:01 PM

Nice update....cool stuff. Would the bigger ships like the Dream be able to squeeze their fat aft through there?

Kirbo · 02-20-2013, 10:09 PM

Great update (other than you all getting

). Fun pictures and the damage pictures

Kirbo · 02-20-2013, 10:11 PM

I don't think I mentioned this before, but one of the things I like about your TRs is that you and your wife obviously enjoy each other. So nice to see a couple that has been together for a while that still likes one another and still seem to have that zing. Sorry, that was totally off topic

dededisney · 02-21-2013, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tokyodisneydad

Nice update....cool stuff. Would the bigger ships like the Dream be able to squeeze their fat aft through there?

No, the Dream and Fantasy cannot fit through the locks right now, but as soon as the new locks are completed, they will be able to...the retired pilot boat captain that gave talks about the canal said the biggest ship to go through the canal was a U.S. military ship and it had just a few inches of clearance in the locks, where as the Wonder had about two feet.

dededisney · 02-21-2013, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirbo

I don't think I mentioned this before, but one of the things I like about your TRs is that you and your wife obviously enjoy each other. So nice to see a couple that has been together for a while that still likes one another and still seem to have that zing. Sorry, that was totally off topic

Yes, we really do enjoy each other's company, even after almost 18 years of marriage

I am lucky he puts up with me!

davidls · 02-21-2013, 12:24 PM

I've been following your trip report. Very well written Drew. I've been following it because DW and I have wanted to do a Panama Canal crossing for few years now. Well we finally booked the Eastbound Panama Canal crossing for 2014. We have a ways to go for ours. But your report is keeping us entertained and excited about our up coming cruise. Keep up the good work Drew!!!

Kirbo · 02-21-2013, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dededisney

Yes, we really do enjoy each other's company, even after almost 18 years of marriage

I am lucky he puts up with me!

And I bet he's lucky you put up with him. Win/win

DisneyZell · 02-21-2013, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tokyodisneydad

Nice update....cool stuff. Would the bigger ships like the Dream be able to squeeze their fat aft through there?

AS DW said, no, they would not fit. The Wonder and Magic are what they can Panamac ships..ie. exactly the right size to go through. Apparently Ship Builders like to have their own language!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirbo

Great update (other than you all getting

). Fun pictures and the damage pictures

I know, right? I assume they turn them into insurance and get paid back for the repairs. Not sure how much damage a ship can take before it has to be pulled out of the water.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirbo

I don't think I mentioned this before, but one of the things I like about your TRs is that you and your wife obviously enjoy each other. So nice to see a couple that has been together for a while that still likes one another and still seem to have that zing. Sorry, that was totally off topic

Thanks, yes we do manage to get along most of the time. We fight as normal couples do, particularly when DW doesn't see things my way.

But really we do have a great relationship and see most of the things eye to eye which makes a huge difference I think!

Quote:

Originally Posted by dededisney

Yes, we really do enjoy each other's company, even after almost 18 years of marriage

I am lucky he puts up with me!

Yup, you are lucky.

ha! just kidding. DW puts up with alot more from me than I do from her!

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidls

I've been following your trip report. Very well written Drew. I've been following it because DW and I have wanted to do a Panama Canal crossing for few years now. Well we finally booked the Eastbound Panama Canal crossing for 2014. We have a ways to go for ours. But your report is keeping us entertained and excited about our up coming cruise. Keep up the good work Drew!!!

Thanks for joining in. Now I'm Jealous that you have that to look forward to. It is a great experience...and now any cruises shorter than 14 nights will be hard for me!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirbo

And I bet he's lucky you put up with him. Win/win

yes...yes...I am!

Linda67 · 02-23-2013, 04:13 AM

Wow, I loved seeing the photos of the ship going through the canal

I knew it was a tight squeeze but not that tight!

I feel sorry for the "driver" when he or she heard that scrape along the side

aan1701 · 02-23-2013, 05:40 AM

I remember going to see Captain Puckett on the 2011 WBPC. Someone asked him about damage. He said when dealing with Panamax ships, the ship company agrees to a certain amount of damage. What that is, he said did not know. Now that one scrape I am sure was not covered. That one looked bad.

Sent from my iPhone 5 using DISBoards

Brixton · 02-26-2013, 08:51 PM

Thanks for coming back to the canal!

Just sitting here in San Diego, living vicariously through your TR, 'til we leave for the WBPC in May.

Completely off topic...We recently moved here from Mid-Coast Maine, nice to see another couple representing New England on Funnel Vision

dsnydaddy · 02-28-2013, 01:29 PM

Hi Zell, just subscribing as I'm planning to also be on the 2014 WBPC.

Nicely written. I'm enjoying your report.

02-20-2013, 05:37 PM	#137
DisneyZell Likes Adventures on the High Seas Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Brentwood CA Posts: 1,048	Chapter 11: Panama Canal! So the day we had all been waiting for had arrived. No sleep and bleary eyed we had Mickey call use about 5:30am. We wanted to be up on top so we could see the ship pass under the Bridge of the America's. Good thing we went up when we did, too as 1 or two other folks came up with the same idea. We were up on Deck 10 on the Starboard side (that's the right to you and me ). Disney had Coffee and Pastries up there (almost like they had done this before). I, of course, had my book. Thank god they had food...I was starting to get hungry! After the sun came up you could really get an idea of how many people were up on deck. it was packed! So here is the question of the day for you all to weigh-in on. If you get up early and get a spot on the rail for trips such as this...should you feel guilty when people arrive with their kids who want to be able to see? I, of course do, and usually figure out a way to get them in...but frankly we didn't this time. We did make room for friends, which to me is different. But going beyond the Panama Canal...say to watching fireworks, etc. If you had the forethought to get there early...should you move and allow kids in front of you? Curious what you all thing. Anyhoo... The sun coming up over the many ships in the harbor. There were tons of them..so pretty cool looking, all cooling their heals to wait their turn. You can, of course, move yourself to the front of the line if you are willing to pay extra. Disney pays extra to do this. I'm guessing all the cruise ships do. Here is Panama City. and here is a rantish type of thing. I don't understand why we weren't allowed to do excursions in Panama City. Disney would have made money, and since we were moored all night they could have let people off at like 9pm and required all aboard at, say, 4am or something. I would totally have gone into the city to see what was what...and I think that would be great. But alas this was not an option. Of course I would have then been exhausted from lack of sleep....wait a minute, I was anyway. Here are DW and I People, people everywhere... In front, behind, everywhere! Here comes the bridge of the Americas. Which is a more beautiful sight? hmmm? which one? c'mon, this one is easy! This pic gives you an idea of how close the ship is going under that bridge. It seemed like a few feet, but I'm sure it was 15 or 20 feet. Still....pretty amazing to see a huge ship go under a huge bridge. Cool stuff! Tugboats shadowed us the whole way...though I don't think we ever actually used them. Think of the money that could be saved if they would just not use so many for the ships that don't need them. But to a certain degree I'm guessing they need to justify the high cost...and need to be there just in case something goes wrong. Approaching the first lock. Very exciting as this was definitely on my bucket list! These are the "Mules" that are attached to the ship. I think we had 8 of them, two on each side in the front and back. They are basically heavy duty trains....but they are not there to pull the ship through the locks...it moves on it's own power. These are there to keep the ship from hitting the sides. At least that's what they were supposed to do. After going under the bridge we figured we would go down to our balcony for a better view. Doug and Audrey came with us and we did get a great view off our own balcony...and really made the upgrade worth it. __________________ Introducing Us: Drew (40), DW (39), DS12, DS8 Disney Dad Member #575! View our COMPLETED Trip Report for the Dream from 7/10/2011 View our COMPLETED 2011 Mexican Riviera 2/27 - 3/6 Cruise on the Wonder! View our COMPLETED 2008 Magical Christmas Disney cruise Trip Report! View our 10/21 Disney Magic trip report

02-20-2013, 05:39 PM	#138
DisneyZell Likes Adventures on the High Seas Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Brentwood CA Posts: 1,048	continued Here is everyone else on their balconies. It took about 45 minutes to go through each lock. And There is a Zach sighting! This is a picture looking down from the balcony. As you can see there are only a few feet separating the wall from the side of the ship. The Mules are there, as I said, to keep the ship from hitting the side of the canal. As we stood there and watched...it got closer...and closer, and finally SCREEECH as the ship ran into the wall. Someone is going to have to pay for that! Lots of new paint! We didn't get pictures until much later in the cruise....but here are a few: This was after a few ports, and alot of painting. My guess is that they couldn't paint the really bad ones so they could make an insurance claim. Just a guess...but it is the only explanation I have for why these didn't get painted. We also heard that they always get dinged up going through the canal...so apparently this is expected. And another shot.... This is what it looked like from the front of the ship as we approached the locks. See the building with the red roof? That one ends up being really close to us as we go by... This is the same building...we could have reached out and shaken hands with the folks in the building. Pretty amazing. Audrey snapped a quick picture of us... Here is what the lock door looked on the lock next to us. Pretty cool looking and amazing what is accomplished. My favorite fact about the whole thing is that the entire system is gravity fed...the water does not get pumped in or out, but is done from the lake above. Luckily they get a boatload of water each year...or they would be in trouble. The new locks they are building will reclaim some of the water. I think they are thinking ahead... Another ship was coming in right behind us. Another shot down the side of the ship. Incredible! And the pictures I had to scan.... A picture of the front of the ship. DW bought a little portfolio which had three pictures. This was the one in front. This is incredible from a different point of view than my shooting a picture down the side. It really shows you how much room there is on each side...not much! And the professional picture of DW and I. So at some point Dw really started feeling bad. She spent most of the day on her bed. Again it was nice that we had the Balcony, not sure if she would have made it out on deck without that. This would last for a couple of days...and it knocked me out too. Not sure if it was sympathy or what, but I took alot of naps during the days when DW was out...and never felt quite right. So either we got the same thing and it affected me different or I'm just weird. No comment DW!!! Missed dinner in the dining room...been a long while since that has happened...but with DW feeling bad I didn't feel like making it. So no go there. and for some reason I'm missing my towel animal picture. How frustrating is that? Thanks for waiting for this episode...I'll try to be more timely next time. Next up: Day 12: Caragena..and probably Day 13 Day at sea...not much there! DZ __________________ Introducing Us: Drew (40), DW (39), DS12, DS8 Disney Dad Member #575! View our COMPLETED Trip Report for the Dream from 7/10/2011 View our COMPLETED 2011 Mexican Riviera 2/27 - 3/6 Cruise on the Wonder! View our COMPLETED 2008 Magical Christmas Disney cruise Trip Report! View our 10/21 Disney Magic trip report

02-20-2013, 07:01 PM	#139
tokyodisneydad Mouseketeer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Japan Posts: 493	Nice update....cool stuff. Would the bigger ships like the Dream be able to squeeze their fat aft through there? __________________ DIS Dad's Club Member Join THE DIS DAD'S CLUB Here![/QUOTE]

02-20-2013, 10:09 PM	#140
Kirbo Whovian Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,109	Great update (other than you all getting ). Fun pictures and the damage pictures __________________

02-20-2013, 10:11 PM	#141
Kirbo Whovian Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,109	I don't think I mentioned this before, but one of the things I like about your TRs is that you and your wife obviously enjoy each other. So nice to see a couple that has been together for a while that still likes one another and still seem to have that zing. Sorry, that was totally off topic __________________

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The DIS Register to remove Join Date: 1997 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,000,000

02-21-2013, 12:24 PM	#144
davidls DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Port Richey, FL Posts: 1,715	I've been following your trip report. Very well written Drew. I've been following it because DW and I have wanted to do a Panama Canal crossing for few years now. Well we finally booked the Eastbound Panama Canal crossing for 2014. We have a ways to go for ours. But your report is keeping us entertained and excited about our up coming cruise. Keep up the good work Drew!!! __________________ Our 1st Disney Cruise - 7 Days Eastern Caribbean - Disney Magic - Oct. 2007 Our 2nd Disney Cruise - 3 Days Bahamas - Disney Wonder - Oct. 2008 Our 3rd & 4th Disney Cruise - 4 Day & 3 Day Bahamas "Back 2 Back Cruise" - Disney Dream - Sept. 2011 Our 5th Disney Christmas Cruise - 7 Day Eastern Caribbean - Disney Fantasy - December 2012 We Are GOLD Now - Our 6th Disney Cruise - 14 Day Cruise - Panama Canal Crossing - Disney Wonder - Sept 2014

02-23-2013, 04:13 AM	#147
Linda67 Has a Masters in Margaritas Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: England Posts: 4,298	Wow, I loved seeing the photos of the ship going through the canal I knew it was a tight squeeze but not that tight! I feel sorry for the "driver" when he or she heard that scrape along the side __________________ Disneyland TR - April 2013 Cick Here To Read My May 2012 Dining Review!! Click Here To Read My January 2012 Disneyland Paris TR!! Click Here To Read My October 2011 Dining Review !! Click Here To Read My May 2011 Dining Review !! Check Out My February 2011 Disneyland Paris TR Here !! Click Here To Read My March 2010 Dining Review !!

02-23-2013, 05:40 AM	#148
aan1701 DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 5,625	I remember going to see Captain Puckett on the 2011 WBPC. Someone asked him about damage. He said when dealing with Panamax ships, the ship company agrees to a certain amount of damage. What that is, he said did not know. Now that one scrape I am sure was not covered. That one looked bad. Sent from my iPhone 5 using DISBoards __________________ DCL 14 Night Westbound Panama To my House. 5/14/05-5/28/05, DCL 11 Night Southern 9/17/06-9/28/06, 7 Night DCL Western 10/20/07, DCL 15 Night Westbound Panama to my house. 5/10/08-5/25/08, 7 Night to St. Croix for my Birthday 2/28/09, 7 night to the Western 10/17/09, Back to back on the Wonder 10/14/10 and 10/17/10, 15 night Panama Canal to Bring the Wonder to my home and her new Home 1/6/2011. 10/8/2011 Eastern on the Magic. 4/29/12 15 nights to Hawaii and back from my home in Los Angeles, 5/6/13 14 nights from Miami back to my home in Los Angeles via the Panama Canal, Premier Pass holder, DVC Member since 2008.

02-26-2013, 08:51 PM	#149
Brixton Missing Maine, Substituting Mickey Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: CA Coast Posts: 116	Thanks for coming back to the canal! Just sitting here in San Diego, living vicariously through your TR, 'til we leave for the WBPC in May. Completely off topic...We recently moved here from Mid-Coast Maine, nice to see another couple representing New England on Funnel Vision __________________ S M s g WONDERful Land/Sea; WONDERful Pixar Cruise 2012 WONDERful WBPC 2013; WONDERful CA Coast 2013; WONDERful WBPC 2014; DL AP's since...forever

02-28-2013, 01:29 PM	#150
dsnydaddy Who is John Galt? Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central Valley, CA Posts: 1,488	Hi Zell, just subscribing as I'm planning to also be on the 2014 WBPC. Nicely written. I'm enjoying your report. __________________ Steve Our Travel Blog.

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