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

[Minnie7701]

MG- what is the name of the miniture golf course you are all talking about? This is the one in Coz right?

why is time going by soooooooooooooo slow....I can't wait to book!!!!!

 

[barbarac]

Hi again - We're flying in on 6/24 & staying at the Swan - I plan to pool hop to either BCV or BW for the afternoon - my dd is 9 & ds will be 13 - I'll keep a watch to see when you plan your meet. Haven't decided if we will go to

Barbara

 

[musicgirl]

Linda, that place at Boardwalk sounds cool, is it open to those not staying there? I think if we just keep the idea of a meet for Fri. afternoon and keep all the suggestions coming, we can decide as we get closer exactly where.

Jeff-Too bad we'll miss your parents at the airport! I know what you mean about snorkeling at CC.

I don't know if you've all heard my adventure, but here goes!! I was the 1st, yes I said the 1st one onto CC beach. I knocked over women and children to get there, hey it was hard work but well worth it to be 1st!!!
I was the 1st into the waters to snorkel with ds 2nd, and dh a close 3rd (he was busy, I'll explain). I was so excited when I saw this HUGE fish swim right in front of me. I think it must have been 10-11 ft long. Ok, it was only 3 feet long! DS turns around and starts to run across the top of the water!!! When I called to him to ask why, he said "Mom, that's a barracuda". I laughed in the face of death and said, "No way, we're at CC that isn't possible" he continued to "run". I think that was the fastest I've ever seen him move!!! As I continue to swim, dh is taking underwater pictures of me and my new friend swimming directly under me (I didn't see my friend, but dh took the picture and told me later).
At that time, I see dh stand up with the camera, only to see all the ink in the re-usable digital camera running into the water. OOPS!!! I guess he didn't close it tight enough!! I watched my famous picture drain into the cay!!!
We then made our way to the life guard and asked what we had seen. He said, "Oh, you got to meet Barry the Barracuda!"
AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! Now my turn to run across the top of the water!!!

Princess-glad to hear you'll be hanging out at MK!!! Join us if you can.

Minnie-The mini-golf at Coz. used to be called Sally's mini-golf but I guess it's just Mini-golf now. It is just a few blocks behind the shops. The site has a very clear map and doesn't seem to be very far. I'm not sure timewise if we will make it since we have an excursion and we will be tendering. That's on the list as-we'll just have to see!!!!

Barbara are you flying in on 6-24 and staying at the Swan after? I'm confused since the cruise is on 6-24.

 

[BuzzLightYear3]

Lorie.....the BWV Community hall is definitely accessible to DVC members and BWV/BW guests. I know DVC members can "pool hop" during non-peak times to other resort pools, and the Community Hall is right by the quiet pool. They don't check room keys or anything in there (unless you want to borrow a video or something), and I've never really seen a crowd. It's more of a laid back "hang around" kind of place....nice, but not so nice that they'd have to control access....so I don't think they'd mind people hanging around.....if they got really picky about it, we could just indicate that any non-DVC-members/non-BWV-guests are guests of the DVC members.

I agree with your plan though.....let's wait until it's closer, see who really wants to get together, and then figure out where.

Linda

 

[wendilyn]

HI
We're all paid off, I booked the plane, and I booked a room at the radisson at the port for Fri 6/23, hopefully we won't have anymore snow days here, or I'm in trouble since that would push school ahead another day! Now I just need to get a van to the hotel!

 

[FantasiaMM]

Oh Lorie....what a funny story! I LOVE to snorkel -- but I'm always worried about finding friends like Barry the Barracuda....thanks for the laugh!

I'm jealous about missing the parks before the cruise --

That's okay -- I'll look forward to seeing everyone onboard in 94 days!

 

[musicgirl]

Fantasia-glad that I could give you a laugh! We were going to stay in Cocoa Beach as well. I decided to follow a few of the disers on this thread. We have stayed at CB the last 2 trips and figured that we would be at a number of beaches through out the cruise. Dh-Bill doesn't really like sand at all, but he loves to snorkel. That's the only way I can get him to enjoy going to the beach.

And of course we will all meet up on the ship. Is it time yet? Can I put my "cruise" clothes in the suitcase yet?

Wendy-Yeah!!!! Oh what a feeling! You go girl! Now you just need to get for the ressie rush!!! I think one of the companies has a large van that they use for big groups and it was pretty reasonable. I'll check back.

Who will be joining me at 3am on March 26????? At least that will be Sunday bright and early instead of Mon!!!

 

[musicgirl]

Wendy, was yours a group of 5 or were there more? Did you need some ideas for a car company?

Well, to save time-We used Art's shuttle-these are not the cargo vans but mini-vans. They were $105 2 years ago round trip. They are very reasonable.

If you need a bigger van-check out happy limo. They had mini-buses and stretch hummers, and big suvs. I haven't used this company, but I have heard good things about them.

 

[jtjcwise]

Lorie,

I saw Barry last year. We were among the first 12 people snorkeling. It was me and my 9 yr old DS. I was really just pulling him through the water slowly as he was just learning to snorkel. He was a little nervous and we started seeing many fish that were small but pretty. We were at one of the shallow spots about 2 feet deep and swimming through the high grass and we came to an opening and Barry swam in front of us and stopped and looked at us and then swam slowly away. I knew it was a barracuda because I had seen some many years ago in the Bahamas while snorkeling. Also we visit zoos often and have seen them in the aquariums. My son did not recognize it as a barracuda and he asked what it was a told a small fib and just said a big fish. I knew he was sort of timid about snorkeling and thought if I told him he would be out of there so fast that he would probably be running on top of the water. I told him after we were back on the ship and he said "Can we go back and see him again?"

I reminded him of this the other day and he is hoping to see him this trip. We also saw a few sting rays and he enjoyed seeing the submarine from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Oh MY GOODNESS!!! I was just looking at NASA's web site and they have a scheduled shuttle launch on July 1st!!!! http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html

THIS is not the greatest of news.... Yes, I really want to see a shuttle launch, but we had planned on going to KSC on that day and I wasn't anticipating the crowds that will be there. ANY IDEAS or comments? In the end I think I would rather see the launch and deal with the crowds.... because how cool would that be to see the launch? could you imagine being ON the Magic and seeing the shuttle take off????? TOTALLY AWESOME!!! The only thing is we might have some traffic nightmares!

I know there is a real possibility of delays so I am not getting my hopes up too high, but how cool would that be?

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Ok, I did some more research.... the launch date isn't really set.... it is set to be no earlier than July 1st and no later than july 19th... bummer.... doesn't look to good now.. maybe we will see it?

http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/launches/launchDetails.asp?calendarId=183

 

[Jillpie]

Wow, my DH and boys would have LOVED to have seen this. It would be a dream come true to be so close!!! And to think, our flight doesn't leave till after 3:00 that day...that would be so cool.

 

[barbarac]

Sorry about that last post - I think I was doing too many things at once. We are flying in on Friday, June 23 getting in around noon - staying at the Swan and since we are DVC members plan to pool hop probably over to BCV since my dd 9 and ds 13 love the slide. Might head over to BW if time allows. Not sure if we're doing a park at night. Using Tiffany Town Car for the ride to the port and back - used Happy Limo last time - they came to pick us up in a Hummer no extra charge - but on the way home they came in a town car with a driver half asleep - thought I would try Tiffany this time - I've heard good and bad about both. I'm using Amex points to stay at the Swan since it is a Starwood Hotel. Going to plan on doing the Stingray thing on CC on the second stop with my DD9 probably in the morning before it's too hot.

 

[musicgirl]

Barbara-Thanks for clearing that up-I thought I was really missing something!!!

We have used Tiffany Towncar. They are very nice right on time. The only reason we switched was that Art's was so much cheaper.

Princess-you never know maybe that will launch on the 1st!!! I think you need a little pixie dust!!!

 

[wendilyn]

Thanks for the van info, we have used happy limo in the past. For those who snorkeled on CC was it really worth it? I heard that it wasn't that good. Any ideas?
2 months from tomorrow we're out of here!!!

Oh, what does everybody do for a living?
I teach 3rd grade
DH teaches self defense and safety courses
Our DS 19 is at University of NH
DD 16 is a junior and DD 13 is in 7th grade
Wendy

 

[musicgirl]

Wendy, Bill and I are both band/music teachers for 5 schools total grades k-12. I'm the one who teaches the little ones. Sorry, I also like to entertain myself since we are both a bit hmmmmm, let's say slightly insane for working with kids for 17 years (me) and 20 for Bill.

We will be celebrating 19 years of marriage on 6-20 so this is just a little anniversary celebration. Since I booked the cruise and have taken care of all the trip details, he's going to have to get started on something good for our 20th!!!!

Andrew is our only child, he is 15 1/2. I have to add the 1/2 because on Friday he will be allowed to get his driver's temporary license. Andrew is a very lucky young man since he has been in my class since 1st grade for band or music! I'm not sure if he feels that way!

So Bill, Andrew and myself pretty much do everything together since his extra curricular activities are ours!!! He's been dragged to every Friday football games since he was 3. Attended every band camp since he was 5. And walked from his school to the high school everyday to stay in Bill's last period of band since 1st grade-don't worry, he only had to walk across the parking lot since his grade school/middle school is next door. Poor kid. But this is why Andrew loves the cruise. He has freedom....but with limits of course, he can't go to far away!!!

Bill and I feel like we have no children/responsibilities on the cruise because we never see him except for dinner, excursions and for immigration at St. Thomas. This was the only time we could prove to some of our on board friends that he really did exist!!!

Bill and I LOVE the adult conversations. After being around kids and hearing "do you want to see my wiggly tooth" for the millionth time, adult conversations are primo!!!

Now don't get me wrong, we really enjoy teaching and some of the kids I have in class from k-12 so it is pretty cool. It's just that we feel a bit by the time June graduation rolls around.

Wendy, I think 3rd grade is a great age to teach. They can follow the rules and directions, but yet they are not too grown up yet to "revolt" to crazy ideas. You know what I mean??

Ok, so I got a bit wordy. I talk all day, you would think I'd be tired of conversing at this time of night!!

Ok, ok, enough about me, how about some of the others!!!

 

[musicgirl]

Jeff, cute story about Barry. Will you tell him the truth this time????
I'll race you to the beach but watch out, once I get to the airport, it is dismode speed until I drop when I get home.

Oh no, I just realized that when I get home, I have to re-pack and drive to Cleveland on July 1st. AHHHHHH!!!!! Big July 4th party on July 2. I'm in charge of the bucket drinks and the kids Bingo. Bingo for 25 kids ages 4-15 can get quite challenging since I am the Bucket Girl. Has anybody done the bucket drinks?

Oh, I forgot to tell why I have the pictures in my signatures
Bill is the scooter rider. He has a foot problem (plantar fasciticis (sp)) and he rides his scooter during band camp and back and forth the the football stadium..It is quite fun to see him, he's 6'2".

I love Pooh bear. My son is quite embarrassed and refuses to drive my car with the Pooh mats in it.

Andrew-well he is a teen after all!!!!

Ok, ok I'm really done.....for now. And no I haven't been sampling the bucket drinks!!!!

 

[BuzzLightYear3]

Barbarac--We also have a DD-9 and a DS-13 (and a DS-6 as well) and we'll be staying at BCV before the cruise....we're arriving Thursday. Have your kids been emailing anybody yet? If you think they might be interested in doing that, send me a PM and we can exchange email addresses. There are a group of other DDs-9ish and DS13s who have started to email as well, so we can get them all linked up. Seems like they're starting to get some pretty good size groups together.....increases the chances that they'll each find someone they hit it off with! My DD has actually gone from worrying about not knowing anybody to worrying that there will be "too many friends!" Such problems!

 

[bairdbeth]

Hi! I am a Special Education Teacher of a self-contained mildly intellectually disabled classroom and have been for 19 years. DD is 10 and in 4th grade. She is emailing Carole88's DD and would love to have more email pals! We just bought our formal and semiformal wear off of Ebay and now DD is so excited to be able to wear a long gown. I look forward to getting a great picture! She has her pirate wear and I just need to find mine. Being Pooh sized it is harder to find. We look forward to dressing up as pirates for dinner and the party. We have disney pirate characters to put on our table at dinner! These last few months are going to take forever!

 

[jtjcwise]

Seems like a lot of teachers around here!!! My DW is a High School Math Teacher and has been for 18 years. She teaches Ap Calculus, Trig, Geometry. My Sister who will be on the cruise with us teaches Special Ed K-3 I think.

Lorie, my Dw and I will be celebrating our 19th Anniversary on ...6-20 also

I am trying to find someone for my DSs to get in contact with. My 9 yr old is OK with being with agroup he does not know anyone that well. However, my 6 yr old is not as outgoing and is already worying. Last year when we are on the 4 day cruise, he did not go to the kids club much. He wants to go, but is really shy and feels funny not knowing anyone.

As for snorkeling on CC, we had a blast, but as I said before if you go later, it gets crowded and murky. Go early and plan on something else in the afternoon. We are planning on snorkeling early on the first day at CC to see how everyone does and to get use to it, and then try to do the Sting Ray Lagoon on the 2nd day at CC.