08 DEC 2007 - 7 Day Eastern Magic Part 2

[JsMom2]

No Euro coins yet. She'd love it if you'd bring her some. We use them for teaching geography and history.


Beth

I'll put some in with my Secret Mickey stash, so I don't forget!

 

[BethC1952]

Thanks! Shannan will love that. Her aunt is returning from Korea today and promised her some Korean money -- and the new baby cousin that they just adopted. I think Shannan is more interested in the money. She's seen babies before!

Beth

 

[JsMom2]

We had a great trip to the House of the Mouse but it was way too short. Well, aren't they all? Well the kids were extremely surprised and had a blast. I know Jennifer is going to be on later today with a more detailed report but I have to tell you this trip has made me even more excited for the cruise and to meet all of you in person. We ran into so many nice people at WDW and it really adds to the experience to see fellow Disney addicts. Well, I had better get to my 1200+ e-mails that have come in during my 3 days out but I still have Disney on the mind. Oh, and you might be able to tell from our signature how good of a trip it was.

- Bill

Congratulations on your membership!! Now you have to decide whether or not to keep the Double Dip you already booked, or switch to the Member cruise next September! I really wish we could go, but I just found out I'll have a meeting that week.

 

[JsMom2]

HI all. I just booked the Dec 8-15 7 night cruise. I actually was booked for Mar 2008 and just moved it to earlier. Knowing me I will rebook the Mar 08 while on board.

Please say hello if see me trolling around as I will be the one in a electric/power wheelchair with a disney seat cover and plush disney character key chains hanging on the back of the chair. hard to miss <G>

I just went in Sept but am so addicted LOL. Plus I figured this is a good way for me to help get thru the holidays since I just lost my mother in August this year.

So see you on board. Oh I haven't read thru entire thread but will try. if anything i need to know just let me know <G>

later and see ya in Dec.

If you are addicted to Disney cruises then you are in good company! Please take a look at the link in my signature block if you'd like to get up to speed on our plans so far.

 

[JsMom2]

There is no info as to cost in the mailing. Just the date and time to call and book. If you want to go you need to be on the phone at opening and use the 407 number NOT the 800 number. (tip) It is more expensive than regular cruises. They give LOTS of really nice gifts. One each evening was left on our bed. I think the tips are included now. We went on the first, did not get thru for the second as I was trying to use the 800 number. It is a very fun cruise. If we were not doing the Canal and a Geek cruise in Jan 2009 I would be all over this!

Thanks Angie! Darn, I thought I was the only one who knew about not using the toll-free numbers. Since I'm overseas it costs me the same amount of money to call either one, and the local numbers always get answered quicker. The secret's out.

Now I REALLY want to go on the Member cruise. But I guess we'll have to try for 2009. I found out this afternoon that I have a conflict at work.

 

[JsMom2]

If you are addicted to Disney cruises then you are in good company! Please take a look at the link in my signature block if you'd like to get up to speed on our plans so far.

Marsha,
I also meant to offer my condolences on the loss of your Mom. I know first hand how difficult those first few holidays are. But it does get easier as time passes.

I'm sorry I forgot to mention that earlier. I live in Belgium and its 9pm at the end of a long day (not made easier by the fact that I didn't find out until 8:30 that my DD has a science test tomorrow

We look forward to meeting you!
Wendy

 

[MrsMork]

It's like they're practically making us go on the cruises now...

Welcome aboard!

Well, when they are GIVING THEM AWAY we have to accept! By the way, that is my favorite phrase to DrHug when I return from some great sale at the Disney Store with gifts for all GKs, nieces, nephews etc. They were giving it away so I had to take it!!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

The Taylor's October WDW & DVC Tour Trip Report

Saturday (October 20, 2007):
We left our home at 3:55 am for the long drive to Buena Vista, FL. The kids didn't give us too much of a fuss as we dressed them. They were half asleep. Except for DS2, who had been up since 1:00 am. Meaning, Jennifer had no sleep! We got about five miles down the highway when DD5 asks, "Are we going to Disney World?". Bill and Jennifer just ignored her and pointed out something on the side of the road. That was enough of a diversion for her to forget her question. When we approached the Florida border, DS7 shouted, "We ARE going to Disney World!". They are too smart for their own good sometimes. We tried to keep it a secret, but the cat was out of the bag. Needless to say, they were VERY happy about our final destination. That is when the "Are we there yet?" started. We drove and drove until we realized we were only four hours from WDW. So, we kept driving. Bill did most of the driving. But, Jennifer helped out in the middle. That enabled Bill to get his second wind to keep on treking to WDW. We called the WDW resorts to see if they had any rooms for the evening. We thought we would be arriving the next day. So, we didn't have a reservation for that evening. We had planned to stop along the road. Our resort didn't have any openings nor did most of the other resorts. It was a typical Saturday at WDW. But, we were told to walk-up at the All-Star Music Resort and they should have a room for us. We were almost to WDW when a wonderful site appeared. . . a Dunkin' Donuts AND Starbucks at a rest area. Bill and Jennifer were both in heaven. Bill got his caffeine fix to continue driving and Jennifer finally got her chocolate glazed donut. We arrived at ASM a little after midnight and then settled into our room.

We thought of you Brack as we did the trek from Dallas to WDW in one drive. Even with the three kids in tow, IT CAN BE DONE!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

The Taylor's October WDW & DVC Tour Trip Report

Sunday (October 21, 2007):
After a quick breakfast in the room, we headed to the Animal Kingdom Lodge. We were planning on buying into the Disney Vacation Club and this was one of our options for ownership. They are in the process of building a separate building with Villas for the DVC. We had never been to AKL before, so we were in for a treat. We all agreed it is an amazing property. Currently, we are booked in the Animal Kingdom Villas(they converted some of their current rooms into Villas for DVC members) after the cruise.

After AKL, we headed to the Beach Club Villas to see if we could check-in. We were anxious to see what the room looked like. We have stayed in a regular room at the BC in the past. This trip, we were staying in a Studio at the BCV. It was pretty much a regular hotel room. But, it also had a little bar area with a microwave, refrigerator and sink. They ALL came in handy. We dropped off our bags and then headed for the Boardwalk. The kids were "starving" by now. We grabbed a pizza at the Spoodles take-out window and enjoyed a nice lunch by the water.

A DVC van pick us up at the BCV for our DVC tour that was located at the Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. We toured a mock-up of what the AKV rooms will look like. Jennifer fell in love with the huge tub and shower in the one-bedroom Villa. Bill liked the flatscreen tvs and balcony in both the sitting area and bedroom. Also, a BIG plus was the washer and dryer in the room. As I am back at home now, I'm on my third load of laundry! We loved the decor of the AKV rooms. Then, we were taken on a tour of current Villas at SSR. We both did not like the open-air hallways and the spreadout layout of SSR. It was hot and muggy that day. So, it made walking from area to area even worse. The rooms were bright and airy. Our Vacation Club Guide took us into the Grand Villa for the WOW factor. It was VERY nice. But, we don't ever forsee needing that large of a room. But, it was nice to see. We didn't sign anything that day. We wanted to go take a look at the Open House at the Boardwalk Villas and also take a look at the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge. All this time, DD5 and DS7 we happy playing in the kid area they provide. DS2 was with us in his stroller. The older kids didn't want to leave their new friends. However, the ice cream parlor DVC have at the end of the tour got them to leave. After we enjoyed our complimentary ice cream and a $30 Disney Gift Card, we took the DVC van back to our resort.

On our way back to the resort, we had a downpour. It was a hard rain. All we kept saying was, good thing we didn't go to a park that day.

 

[AmberDaClown]

Does anyone yet know if we are docking or tendering at St. Thomas. DCL says we are docking, but I keep reading trip reports that we might have to tender.

 

[coastgirl]

AFAIK, we are docking.

 

[RBennett]

Jennifer,

It sounds like you guys had a great time and a nice little break from the real world!! I think Tina and I may have to talk with some of you about the DVC on the cruise. I'm just not sure what all is up with it and how it works, and to be honest with you I don't feel like going back 50 pages to try and read up. Besides, I deal better with audio than print.

 

[brack]

This is very hard rock Christmas music??? Dennis would enjoy your cranked up music! Funny, he plays it so loud in his car that we can hear him coming up the driveway. The kids/grandkids would say "Dad's home!" when they heard the rocking out music. As teenagers our kids would routinely turn DOWN the radio in Dad's car before they would start it. Big old kid, he's just a big old kid.

Just more evidence that Dennis and I are related

 

[brack]

Did you say the lovely Annette gets home tonight?

Yes. She got home about 30 minutes after my last post. I sure missed her.

We're home for a few days but do have a couple of road trips before the cruise.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

The Taylor's October WDW & DVC Tour Trip Report

Sunday (October 21, 2007): PM
DD5 and DS7 were "begging" to go to the Sandcastle Club at the BC. They had fun there our last trip. So, Bill checked and they did have openings for that evening. He also checked to see if we could make an ADR for Spoodles. We had to go 1100 miles from home for a date night! We did still have DS2 with us. But, usually he is lowest maintenance of the three. This was the night DS2 decided to have a melt down. He was crying and carrying on and nothing would console him. We were almost ready to leave Spoodles, after we both took turns taking him outside, when our food came and he was happy once again. Happily, that was the only melt down the whole trip. When we left Spoodles, we noticed the fireworks from MK and watched them from the boardwalk.

 

[brack]

I'm really wanting some good Mexican food, but it is not DrHug's favorite so....

Oooops! There are some differences then.

 

[brack]

I really was just waiting for Brack to pipe in there. I swear I heard him breathing....

Me too! Maybe Annette got home and distracted him for us!

Ok, I'm heading home.

She did!

 

[brack]

WE GOT DISNEY MAIL TODAY!!

Announcement from DVC of the 2008 Members Only Cruise! Sept 21-25 another double dip at CC. We won't be going since we are on the Canal cruise in May. But getting the mail was exciting!

We got ours yesterday but I know that we can't make it. That is a very busy time of year for both of us. I wished they would do it in the spring.

 

[brack]

Oh, and you might be able to tell from our signature how good of a trip it was.

- Bill

Welcome Home!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Welcome Home!

Thanks!

- Bill