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

[Disneycrazymom]

That is one of my favorite movies! "I'll have what she's having too!"

We stayed at Ron Jon the night before our cruise in Aug and liked it very much! The pool was fun and we had lots of space to spread out. That is most likely where we'll stay in 06 as well.

 

[musicgirl]

Thanks for the giggle!

Dan, I think you are right about places not booking very far ahead. I booked this past June's hotel the August before. Not many hotels would give me rates until Dec. or Jan. That is one of the reasons that we chose Hamptons. They were really nice and didn't laugh at my obsessive planning.

I like to book as far out as possible. Let me know if anyone comes across some good deals.

Ron Jon's is very tempting. I guess we have to decide which is better, 1 night at Ron's or 2-3 nights somewhere else.

Maybe I'll hit the lottery I guess I have to play to win!

Do you remember my saga about the disney visa and how it got posted wrong? Well, it is still being processed. We found the problem and I could have simply just written another check but they said that they could fix it. Here it is almost 2 months later and the money has not gone to my credit card! I have called a number of times. It has come out of my account (12-22) and was sent through some branch that has to do the correcting. Well, I just found out that it didn't get to the "branch" until Jan 10. And then it can take up to 30 more days to clear the "branch" that corrects misposted checks. AHHHHHHHH!

I don't understand why they didn't just tell me to write the other check. So here I wait, only a few more days till it should make it to the visa company. Funny thing is that it is all from the same Bank!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Musicgirl I can not believe you are still dealing with that, I hope it is resolved soon! Did you know there are codes for the Ron Jon? We used one last summer. I think it was about $149 for a 2 bedroom. Very reasonable!

 

[musicgirl]

DCM-I didn't realize you could get codes. Where do you get the codes and do you have to book on-line? Also, how many people can go in the 2 bedroom?

Thanks!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I pulled out my notes from Aug. We used code 102 from the Florida Travel Magazine. 2 bedroom sleeps 8, 1 king bed with bath, 1 bedroom with 2 doubles, and a sleeper sofa, I think it was a double. Full kitchen and washer/dryer. It was $168.75 plus tax, more than I remembered but still very reasonable. In my notes I also have listed the Raddison for $89, Holiday Inn $39 and Doubletree $39. I do not remember how I found those prices but most likely hotelkingdom or something similar. We enjoyed the kitchen and the kids enjoyed the lazy river and pool. We took the shuttle out to the beach and enjoyed that too. We rented a van and had lunch at the pier and could see the ships, very nice! I found out about the code here on the Dis!

Edited to add: There were 2 full bathrooms but only the "master" had seperate shower and tub.

 

[dmensing]

Angie:

Thanks for the heads up on the codes for Ron Jon. Once it gets closer to the one year mark, I'll have to start snooping around for those codes.

Lorie:

Based on your obsessive planning behavior, you would be a great candidate for a timeshare! We have had one a couple of years and love it. Everyone thinks I'm crazy planning trips so far out. Right now, I'm finishing up with 2006 and starting to think about 2007.

I'm just sitting here, watching the snow fall, waiting for a print job to complete for work, and reading the boards. This is a nice way to daydream about the cruise.

Talk to you later!
Dan.

 

[musicgirl]

Thanks Angie for the info. That price is pretty good for 8 people.

Yes, I must admit, I am an obssesive planner. If I could book my excursions now I would do it!

 

[littleowensmommy]

Hello Everyone,

My family will be sailing with you next June. It will be our 4th Disney Cruise.

We are:

Kathy (42 at time of sailing)
Ted (DH will be 44)
Owen (DS will be 7)
Amy Q (DD will be nearly 5)

Two other families will be traveling with us. Ted and I will celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary onboard so we're splurging on a Cat 3 suite. We will spend the week before the cruise at our DVC home resort, SSR. We're also cruising with DCL on 30 July 2005 out of LA.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Welcome LittleOwen'smommy! My daughter will be 6 on the cruise, right in between your 2! How fun to cruise 2 summers in a row! Did you know that you can get an onboard booking discount? While your onboard your 2005 cruise book your 2006 cruise and you will get the discount. Glad to hear your joining us.

Angie

 

[dmensing]

Glad you are joining us Kathy!

Congratulations on your upcoming 20th anniversary!

Just curious, does anyone know if DCL does anything special if you are celebrating a significant event like this?

Dan.

 

[musicgirl]

Welcome Kathy!!! And congrats a little early. We are just a bit behind you as our 19th anniversary will be 6-20-06!! Maybe I'll just have to re-book for 2007!!!!!

When we celebrated on cruise 1 & 2, we received a card and a cake at dinner. Now it was not a 20, 25 or anything like that, so I don't know if they do something a little extra special.

 

[musicgirl]

Finally, they paid the disney visa bill!!!!

A good friend of ours just got back from a Carnival cruise. He was not impressed at all with the food and service. We kind of knew this would happen.

DH wants to go on the Wonder this summer. Not that I don't, but I'm working on paying for this cruise. It is $2400 for the 3 night and over $3000 for the 4 night. With as costly as that is, I would say just book another 7 night!!! I also looked into RCCL, a 3 night is $1560 and a 4 night is $1640. I just don't think I could do it. I've read some really bad reviews of the Sovreign of the Seas, which has just been refurbished.

I guess I'm spoiled by DCL.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Happy "Fat Tuesday" everyone!

Lorie, I just checked prices this morning for a 3 day cruise after our trip to the parks in June. Too pricey to add on though. I think it might be my reaction to winter! Where is the sun? Come-on Spring!

 

[musicgirl]

Happy Fat Tuesday!!!!

But do you know another reason to celebrate today?


I'm doing the 500 days till our cruise dance!!!!

Yes, I know that this is a stretchhhhhhhhhhh! But at least it's not over 600 like some I've seen. Those poor souls!!!

I'm sure all those people under 500 are saying the same about us!

I think we'll just have to pass on a cruise this summer or big vacation. I'm going to save up and make the 7 night a blow out because it could be the last. I might want to save something for ds's college!!!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Maybe he'll get a nice scholarship!
We have to prepare for High School here. Depending on where DS is accepted it can be more than a state college. But for now I'll happily plan vacations!

Is it really just 500 days, that isn't soooo many!

 

[musicgirl]

Now it's only 499!!!!

Yes, we are hopeful that there might be a scholarship in sight for him. I know what you mean about HS tuitions being comparable to college fees. The all girls k-12 school in our area is over $10,000 a year.

DH and I teach at a private high school, the same one ds will be attending. We finally get a really good perk, he gets to go free!!! That is if we can make it for 4 more years!!!! Who am I kidding, we have 24 more years to retirement. AHHHHHH! We'll probably look more like this..... by the time we are done!!!! Or maybe this....... !

 

[dmensing]

Hi All!

Just wanted to touch base with everyone and bump our thread.

Lorie, you are fortunate to have an "in" on the HS cost. I know I was floored when I went to my recent reunion at St. Charles and heard what the tuition is now.

C'ya,
Dan.

 

[Echo queen]

I am so glad I ran across this date my DH is 40's me late thirty's boys 7 and 11 at that time. We are going on our 1st DC March 10,2005 (can't wait) I am seriously thinking of booking this cruise or May 6,2006 while on board. The 2 CC sounds great and I haven't made it to the first cruise yet. It's nice to see so many cruisers in our age range. Maybe that will sway us more to this one. We will see.

 

[dmensing]

Welcome Echo Queeen!

I'm jealous that you will be going on your first cruise next month! The 2006 cruise will be our first and it seems so far away. You will have to check back in and tell us how you liked your cruise when you get back.

You mentioned possibly doing the May or June 2006 cruise. Does the Texas school year finish in May?

Talk to you later!
Dan.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Hi everyone. Ehco Queen I hope you get to join us! The 2 CC are the reason we choose this sailing! It is so pretty and relaxing.

Lori I have an app sitting here on my desk for a local University (So far I'm just looking at it ) They give reduced tuition to families that work there. I am right there with you on trying to cut the tuition cost! Even if I made very little money I would come out ahead. Since DD will be in Kindergarten next fall I guess I'll have to join the real world again. Not looking forward to it too much though! Well maybe if I found the perfect job, like 4th grade at the school down the street, but no way will I get that lucky! I love 4th grade, I could do it over and over again!