06/24/2006 - Special Western Cruise - Who Else!?

[Disneycrazymom]

Dan, How fun to go to the parks in November! I wish we were able to go this year! My favorite time is the week after Thanksgiving. We will have to go in the summer now as school work would be hard to make up for DS12. I am glad you had fun!

 

[dmensing]

Thanks Angie!

I know what you mean about the makeup school work. My kids are only in 4th and 2nd grade and they are trying to get through all of the additional work this week. They aren't too happy about it! This past trip is the last one we will be taking them out for such a long period of school. For next year's trip at Thanksgiving, they will only miss two half days.

We have never tried a summer trip and I don't know if we would enjoy it with the heat and crowds. We have always gone in February and now this past trip in Oct./Nov. I'm sure the crowds will be a lot bigger than we are used to at Thanksgiving, but at least it won't be so hot.

Summer will be reserved for our cruise trips!

Thanks!
Dan.

 

[professorandmom]

Check out the new western trip report posted by pdarrah about the DIS group which arranged the tour to the ruins and the kindergarten. Is there someone who would be willing to take the lead in this and get the info from this poster? Seems like a GREAT idea (I am not sure if what the school calendar looks like there)...anyone?
Barb

 

[musicgirl]

I haven't checked out the post yet.

I'm a pretty good organizer, but I'm going to hesitate on this one since we are traveling with another family and I'm not sure if we will be going to the ruins. We love to snorkel so we'll probably be looking it to this first.

Now, if we want to set up a dismeet, I'd love to to this. It was really alot of fun meeting people. Unfortunately, we planned the main one at terminal and only a few people were able to make it. We did eventually meet up with some people later though.

 

[dmensing]

Barb:

I read the trip report and that is a great idea to help out the local school. I doubt that we will be going to the ruins either, but I would be happy to contribute supplies if someone else is willing to deliver them.

Lorie:

I'd be up for a meet. I haven't cruised before, so I don't know what would be the best way to arrange one, or the best venue to have it. We could all try to book the Palo brunch on the same day, but that would exclude the kids.

Talk to you soon!
Dan.

 

[musicgirl]

I think I might keep an eye out on the other cruise meet dates and see what they come up for dismeets.

I know some have done a Palo ressie. As we get closer, it might even be fun for those staying the night before in Cocoa Beach to say hi.

We tried to have a second meet on Sun. early afternoon, but I think everyone forgot.

One thing that will help is knowing room numbers. So far, most people have been pretty open about posting these. So if we do one on board, we could put notes on the doors inviting everyone. There are fish message holders outside of each room. I'd be happy to do that if people don't mind.

Lorie

 

[musicgirl]

Cool, I just noticed that I hit 1000 posts!!!

I know our cruise is a long, long way off. But it seems like time is going by very quickly. I can remember last year around this time is was taking FOREVER to get through the holidays. I haven't even started to shop!!! I'm usually close to being done!

I hope it goes this fast next year at this time!

 

[dmensing]

Lori:

You know what they say, as you get older, time seems to go faster! I'm sure when it's time to cruise, we'll look back and think how fast the 600 days went by.

1000 posts! Wow! You have been typing a lot. I only have about 953 to go!

You mentioned a possible meet at Cocoa beach before the cruise. Where do you usually stay? I have seen a couple places mentioned on the boards, but haven't done the specific research on them yet. I am trying not plan everything this far out! We weren't sure if we wanted to stay at the beach or spend a day or two at the parks. My wife doesn't think she could bear being in Florida without hitting at least one park.

Thanks,
Dan.

 

[musicgirl]

Dan,

Keep posting, maybe by our cruise you'll make it to 1000!!!

We stayed at the Courtyard 6-2003. It was fine. At the time, it was $100 for the cruise package. This was parking and the shuttle to and from the ship. It is basically on the beach (a 3-5 min. walk down a pretty path). This was one of the reason we picked it. However, they were very disorganized.

We stayed right next door at the Hampton this past June. $89 which included a very nice continental breakfast, just perfect before the onslaught of eating!!! It was very nice. No problems.
The shuttle was not included.

Both of these are about 10 min. from the port. The problem with the shuttles is that they do not pick up before 12. Perhaps this will change by 6-06. We called a taxi, which I liked better anyway. There was no "vieing (sp)" for spots on the shuttle.


We don't rent a car, so I was thinking about being closer to the port this time. We like the afternoon at the beach, but delayed fights and weather have shortened the time we get to enjoy it. It will also depend on the family we are suppose to go with.

It was funny, some disers last year were at the same hotel and didn't know it until they met up on the ship.

Lorie

 

[Harryo]

We stay in Orlando the night before. We do either Universal or Disney before and after the cruise. We rent a car and drop off at Budget and take their shuttle to the ship at 11 or 12.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Last summer we stayed the night before at the Ron Jon. It was a nice way to begin our trip. They have a nice pool area and are right on the beach. I would stay there again.

 

[musicgirl]

Disneycrazymom,

If you don't mind my asking, what did you pay and how do you get a ressie here? Isn't this some kind of time share program?

thanks, lorie

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Lorie,
We paid $185.61 including tax for a 2 bedroom poolside. The reservation number is 1-888-933-3030. I did have a code from the Florida Traveler magazine. Check in after 4 and out by 10. The early checkout helped us get to the port early. We were there by 11, and on board the ship by 12. The kids had a great time in the Mickey pool with only 1 or 2 other kids. We never saw the pool that empty again all week!

Angie

 

[musicgirl]

Angie,

Thanks for the info. Is this a timeshare and if so did you have to sit through any presentations?

Is there a shuttle included to the ship?

How many people can you put in the 2 bedroom suite?

Are there smaller rooms (the standard hotel room)?

Thanks, Lorie

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I really don't know if it is a timeshare but it could be. We did not have any kind of presentation. We had a rental car and I don't think there was a shuttle. There were 7 in our room and we did just fine. There was 1 king bed, 2 doubles or queens and a fold out sofa. I think there were 1 bedroom suites but I don't believe there were regular rooms.

We had my father drop us at the ship, we got in line to check in, then he returned the car and caught the rental car suttle back to the port. By the time he got back, we were at the front of the line and he joined us to check in. When we returned to the port he went on the shuttle and got the car then returned for us. This system worked well for us. I liked having the car both ways. We stopped for lunch on our way from the airport and on our way back to fly home. I wanted to go to Downtown Disney on our way back but was overruled. I think DH was afraid he would NEVER get me and the kids on the plane if we were that close to the parks!

 

[dmensing]

Lorie, Angie:

Ron Jon is a timeshare resort. I checked their website and see that they offer rentals without any tour obligation.

Thanks,
Dan.

 

[musicgirl]

Thanks Dan!

It looks like a cool place. I had checked out the website earlier this summer and it just seemed a bit difficult to get a quote for 1 night.

I know when I was booking for June of 2004, I was calling about 11 months out and most places were unable to give me rates except the Hampton. They were one of the few places that were actually nice about my inquiries so early. It was one of the reasons I booked with them.

Lorie

 

[musicgirl]

Well, I am kind of bummed. Our friends that we were suppose to travel with can not commit to the trip at this time. There is still hope that they might book later next year.

We were tempted to switch to an earlier cruise, but I told dh that "I already made friends on the cruise meet board!"

It also looks like the rates have started to go up a bit.

Well, I know everyone is busy at this time. Personally, I can not wait until next Thurs. (12/16). That's when all our Christmas programs are over. Even better will be 12/22 when we are on break!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Sorry to hear about your friends, I hope they get to go on the end. I'm glad your still going with us! I agree our last day of school is the 23 and I an ready for the holiday vacation. I do wish it was going to be at Disney though! Did anyone see the Christmas at Disneyworld with Sam Brown last night? It was a rerun but I still loved every minute of it!

Are you in charge of the the music programs, Music girl? I don't know how you guys do it!

 

[dmensing]

Lorie:

I'm glad you are staying with our cruise too! It will be cool to meet the folks from the boards in person.

In case I don't make it back to the boards in time, I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday! We are getting an early Christmas present.. a golden retriever from the local rescue organization! We recently lost our previous golden to cancer and we couldn't stand not having a fuzzy face around.

Talk to you later!
Dan.