09/05/09 LABORless MAGICal Meanderers

[UGAFan0829]

Aww, thanks you guys! Unfortunately, this kid has NOT arrived yet!! I'll be the full 40 weeks this Sunday. I guess my belly must be comfortable because dd was 10 days late!

We're going to WDW too but are not planning on hitting the parks. We'll be staying at Saratoga Springs the night before and the night after and I plan on using ME and the DCL transfers for to and from WDW and the pier. I'm not planning on (m)any excursions, probably just beaches. We did swimming with stingrays on Grand Cayman years ago, not for me! Probably just go for a walk on Key West (or do that trolley tour) and haven't even thought about Cozumel yet!

It's good to hear from you, ibela! I'm disappointed that the little one isn't here yet! Maybe it will come soon...I am sure you are hoping so, too!

Did you not like the swimming with stringrays in Grand Cayman because of anything in particular, or did you just not like the stingrays? I'd love to know more of what you thought about it since we're *thinking* about it.

What do y'all think about the addition of Photopass? I think it's long overdue, and am very excited about it. I wonder if the Lifestyle portraits will be part of that as well?!

 

[aussieinvasion]

No baby yet eh?? I feel for you ibela, I remember that last week when I was pregnant with Amelia and the waiting seemed to drag on forever. Im not helping, am I ??!! I hope you have some good news soon and that baby arrives quickly and in good health, and to echo missy lots of sweet baby thoughts

Do you know what beach you're planning to go to in Cozumel? Its hard to know whats best. We were leaning towards Paradise Beach as there seems to be good reports but I noticed Playa Mia has a mini zoo and I thought that might be fun for the kids. Anyone done either?
Anyway, we thought we'd do that and the San Gervachio ruins if we have time. Ive looked at hiring a driver with Island Marketing but it works out to be about $60 per person for a private driver for 4 hours. We would see all the sights and choose our itinerary but not sure if we want to pay that for the four of us.

We were also thinking about doing the Stingrays in GC Missy, Im wondering if it will be worth it. We cant book the DCL excursion because of the age restriction for Amelia but Ive noticed lots of recommendations for Native Way Watersports and Moby Dick who will both allow us to take her. We were thinking of doing this or the semi-sub, I think its the Nautilus. It only goes for about an hour and then I thought we'd head out to the beach maybe. I am really confused as to what the best thing to do is.
Dont you hate it when you write an essay and then you lose it?? arrgghh so frustrating Ive been thinking about ADR's too Missy. What are you guys planning? I know its a long shot but we are going to try for CRT for breakfast, our agent said she will try and book this for us. Can I ask a silly question? What or who is Tour guide Mike?

I was very intrigued to read about the Photopass. Its all still a little new to me but I get the general idea of the pass. At the end of your trip do you buy the pictures on a disk? I understand you need to give the photographers your photopass to add all of your photos to it but Im not sure what happens at the end of my trip.

Anyway, hope everyone is well. Im hoping the next few weeks will hurry with the lead up until Christmas. I need to get myself a ticker

 

[UGAFan0829]

No baby yet eh?? I feel for you ibela, I remember that last week when I was pregnant with Amelia and the waiting seemed to drag on forever. Im not helping, am I ??!! I hope you have some good news soon and that baby arrives quickly and in good health, and to echo missy lots of sweet baby thoughts


We were also thinking about doing the Stingrays in GC Missy, Im wondering if it will be worth it. We cant book the DCL excursion because of the age restriction for Amelia but Ive noticed lots of recommendations for Native Way Watersports and Moby Dick who will both allow us to take her. We were thinking of doing this or the semi-sub, I think its the Nautilus.

Ive been thinking about ADR's too Missy. What are you guys planning? I know its a long shot but we are going to try for CRT for breakfast, our agent said she will try and book this for us. Can I ask a silly question? What or who is Tour guide Mike?

I was very intrigued to read about the Photopass. Its all still a little new to me but I get the general idea of the pass. At the end of your trip do you buy the pictures on a disk? I understand you need to give the photographers your photopass to add all of your photos to it but Im not sure what happens at the end of my trip.

I don't have any children myself, but my sister has 4, and I remember how uncomfortable she was at the end of all her pregnancies. Still sending pixie dust, ibela!

I know what you mean about the stingrays, Mel. My DSIL has already mentioned to us that she definitely doesn't want to do it, so if we did decide to go for it, it would just be the DH and I. I'm hoping to be able to find some reviews of it so that I can get a better idea of whether it's something we want to try for or not.

I certainly hope that you get the ADR for CRT. I think that would be so awesome!! As far as what we're thinking about for ADR's, you may be sorry that you asked. (I love talking about these kind of things, if you can't tell!!: )
'Ohana for breakfast AND dinner...I so want to see Lilo and Stitch, so I would love to eat there for breakfast. I think it would be a blast. And I have heard SO many great things about dinner, so we want to try that out as well.
Chef Mickeys...We've eaten there on both trips, but it's always been for dinner. We want to change it up a little next time and try it for breakfast.
Crystal Palace...This is another place that has become a tradition for us. We've only eaten breakfast there before, so we want to try it for dinner this time. I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but Pooh is my most favorite character, so eating there is a real treat for me! The DH likes it pretty good, too!
50's Prime Time...We had dinner there fore the first time on our last trip, and really liked it alot. I could probably do without it and try some place new, but the DH really wants to eat there again. I'm thinking that we may try it for lunch this time and then have something quick for dinner so that we can hopefully make it to Fantasmic since we've not been able to see it yet.
Whispering Canyon Cafe...We had breakfast there last year and really, really liked it. We also had an ADR for dinner, but ended up cancelling, so we want to try it for dinner again this time.
I think that's pretty much it. Of course that could change a lot between now and then, but that's what we're planning on now.

Tour Guide Mike is a great service that I love to use. Not everyone likes it, but it works great for me. You do have to pay for it to be able to access all the info, but to me it is well worth it. When you sign up, it will ask you several questions about your trip, like when you're going, where you staying, etc. Then once he publishes his calendars for each month, he will have a Crowds calendar. He tells you which parks are best to go to on each day, and which ones he thinks you should avoid. He also has specific touring plans for each park, as far as which ride he thinks you should go to first and then everything after that. I don't neccessarily follow that part, I just like to see his recommended parks for each day. I have used him for both our trips and loved it. I know that going in September is usually low crowds, but it makes it even nicer when you can avoid what crowds there are. They also have message boards there as well. And when you join, you'll gain access to the message boards that are specific to the month that you'll be traveling in. So you can chat with all the others who are going at the same time as you. You'll also get messages about anything special that might be happening while you're there, along with notifications about discounts and codes. Like I said, some people like it, some don't...I LOVE it!

As far as Photopass, I think there are a couple of options for getting your pictures. I'm not sure if the cruise line will offer this as the parks do, but you have the option of pre-purchasing the CD. I did this last year, and it saved me a little bit of money. You basically go online and enter a code, and pay for the CD then. Then when you get home, all you have to do it edit any photos that you want to, and then put in the info from your pre-purchase and that's it...they mail the CD to you with all your images on it. If you don't want to pre-purchase, you can always wait and buy it once you get home. I think the only advantage to pre-purchasing it is that you save some money. At least that's how it was last year...I'm not sure if they will be doing the same when we cruise or not. Besides buying the CD, you can order prints of the photos that you want. This is how it works in the parks, and I am guessing that it will work the same way on the ship. I'm super excited that they're offering it on the ship now...I think it will make it a lot easier than before!

Sorry about writing a short novel here...but I could go on and on about Disney!

 

[aussieinvasion]

Hi Missy,

I LOVE hearing about your plans Feel free to write more short novels haha. I dont know where to start except that I had to laugh when I read a lot of the ADR's you are planning we also had in mind. This is what we are thinking:
Whispering Canyon for Dinner on the night we check in to WL - It makes sense being that we are staying there.
CRT for breakfast hopefully during the first 5 days when we will be staying at WL and will be closer to Magic Kingdom.
Crystal Palace - My DS loves Pooh and sleeps with his Pooh toy every night since he was 6 months old. DD loves Tigger, wants the same Tigger story read to her every night. We are going for lunch being that I dont know how attentive they will be by the time dinner rolls around and we will hopefully already have the CRT ADR (crossing fingers).
'Ohana for Dinner. We intend to do this on one of our 'days off' from the parks and I cant guarantee we would make it over in time for breakfast.
Chef Mickeys - still up in the air about which meal to do. Im open to anyone's suggestions!!! Will probably do this on a 'day off' also
Hollywood and Vine Play & Dine - The kids adore Little Einsteins and I didnt see anything else that particularly caught my eye for when we are at Hollywood Studios. Another hopeful lunch ADR here. Can anyone tell me do they have other characters there? ie JoJo and Goliath from JoJo's Circus?
Spoodles - We'll probably book a dinner ADR for when we are staying at BWV. I would love to go to the Flying Fish Cafe but not sure how expensive it may get being that I saw its one of the signature restaurants.
As for the Epcot ADR's, this I am really struggling with. There are just so many choices and I know its likely we will probably get to Epcot on 2 days of the trip. Anyone want to throw in their two cents worth, I am happy to listen

As for the Grand Cayman excursions I was thinking maybe instead of doing the Stingrays we might head for the Turtle Farm with our little one's and just catch a taxi over after doing the semi-sub. Does anyone know if one of the main beaches is over near the Turtle Farm? I keep changing my mind, Im sure I will probably change it again before we go.

Tour Guide Mike sounds great Missy. When do you get the info? Im guessing you need to wait until the park hours are released? If you get the jump on that info then it would be excellent in planning for your ADR's and such.

As for the Photopass, it got me thinking. Being that I am here in Australia I probably wont be able to get the CD sent out to me, or at least I would not want to risk it. Im also wondering if there is some sort of release that has to be signed/paid for so that I am able to print the photos once I get home at my local photo printing place?? I guess I'll find this out when I talk to them at DW. I think I read somewhere there are a couple of shops for it in Magic Kingdom and at Epcot. Am I right? Anyone know if there is anywhere else to get the prints/CD?

My kids watched the planning DVD again today for the 50th time. Travis, my 4 year old DS just informed me he wants a massage at Castaway Cay

 

[UGAFan0829]

Hi Missy,

Chef Mickeys - still up in the air about which meal to do. Im open to anyone's suggestions!!! Will probably do this on a 'day off' also

As for the Epcot ADR's, this I am really struggling with. There are just so many choices and I know its likely we will probably get to Epcot on 2 days of the trip. Anyone want to throw in their two cents worth, I am happy to listen


Tour Guide Mike sounds great Missy. When do you get the info? Im guessing you need to wait until the park hours are released? If you get the jump on that info then it would be excellent in planning for your ADR's and such.

As for the Photopass, it got me thinking. Being that I am here in Australia I probably wont be able to get the CD sent out to me, or at least I would not want to risk it. Im also wondering if there is some sort of release that has to be signed/paid for so that I am able to print the photos once I get home at my local photo printing place?? I guess I'll find this out when I talk to them at DW. I think I read somewhere there are a couple of shops for it in Magic Kingdom and at Epcot. Am I right? Anyone know if there is anywhere else to get the prints/CD?

My kids watched the planning DVD again today for the 50th time. Travis, my 4 year old DS just informed me he wants a massage at Castaway Cay

In the past we have always done Chef Mickey's on one of our Epcot days. It's just easier for us to take the monorail over. As far as other Epcot restaurants, Le Cellier and Coral Reef are the first that come to mind. We had Le Cellier last year and really liked it. We haven't tried Coral Reef yet, but hope to eventually.

I believe you are correct about TGM...He usually does his crowds calendar shortly after Disney releases their park hours. Waiting for that is always one of the worst parts for me, cause until then, I can't make any solid decisions!

I believe that there may be places in each park for you to view/purchase your Photopass pics. As far as the release, I was just looking at my CD from last year, and this is what the back of the CD case reads:
"Purchase of this CD includes a copyright release allowing you to reproduce the image files in the sizes and quantities that you wish. The copyright release is contained as an image file on the CD. The image files is named DisneyCopyrightRelease.jpg and can be found in the Autorun folder on your CD. You may need to show this image file to your photo retailer in order to purchase prints of your images."

Hope this helps!
Too funny that your DS is asking for a massage! Too cute!

 

[ibela]

Wow you 2 have been quite the chatterboxes, lol! My due date, yesterday, came and went and I'm still pregnant. That's ok though, can't be TOO much longer now . . .

I wasn't a big fan of the stingrays in GC, they're big and all around and kinda scared me. About 10 minutes after our guide insisted no one gets hurt from them, one swam by and scratched me and of course I had somehow jumped in its way? Anyway, it was back on the boat for me but everyone else enjoyed themselves. And not for nothing but didn't that nature guy Steve something die from being stung by a stingray?? Not for me!!

Ooh, that beach with the mini zoo sounds nice, maybe I'll look into that.

I had our pre-trip all planned to stay at Animal Kingdom and was going to do an ADR at Boma to try it for the first time, but then we got developer points for SSR (for our BLT add-on through DVC) so that's why the switch so now I'm not planning on ADRs, just hitting DTD or something instead.

Tour Guide Mike gets mixed press around here. Honestly, we're not going to be there at a peak time so I'm not sure how much it's really needed. A lot of people also use the unofficial guide, they post their calendars for free 1 month out so I just planned my days around that and it was great when we went in May. I'm no expert though, just my 2 cents.

I'm excited about Photopass being added. I had pre-ordered the CD too and it was great. I spent a lot more on the package on our first cruise, they got some great shots and we just didn't want to say no! I'm pretty sure I'll pre-order the CD again, especially if we can add the WDW trips to it.

Btw, you can pre-order but I'm not sure if the shipping will be included to Australia as it is to the US, I believe someone before said it was still included to the UK but worst case you pay shipping costs, you'll still be able to pre-order the CD for the $99.95!

Oh, regarding ADRs, we went to Crystal Palace for lunch and though it was great. Enjoy!

 

[aussieinvasion]

Hi Ibela!!

Just saw your post, any news yet??? Ive been a bit of a slacker and not been on here for a little while.

Steve Irwin did die from a Stingray Barb which was in his chest I believe, although I read on the website for Native Way Watersports they have a write up about it saying that the Stingrays there are very tame and not like the one Steve encountered but after you said you got scratched it did make me second guess it a bit. I am still on the fence

Someone reported that there have been some price drops lately, although I dont know if its for our cruise. Im about to check

I am so glad to hear the great review about Crystal Palace, Im really hoping to get in there.

 

[ibela]

We have a new cruiser! My son Asher was born on 11/29.

Just popped on to post that. Chat with you soon!

 

[aussieinvasion]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Welcome new little cruiser Asher. Love the name, Irene. Hope all is going well with you, and your new little sweet bundle.

Enjoy every single second

 

[UGAFan0829]

Congrats, ibela! How exciting. I agree with Mel...I love the name Asher!!!

 

[aussieinvasion]

Hey guys, just hoping for some advice and wondering if someone has any idea but just regarding airfares again if you guys think LAX to MCO for $189 pp each way is a fair price? Thats with American.

Thanks, hope everyone is well

 

[ibela]

Mel, I think that's a great price from LAX to MCO.

Oh, and in Cozumel I think we're going to do a Dolphin Experience at Chankanaab. I kinda settled on that about 2 weeks ago before the excitement, I already told the big little one and she'd excited. If you do it on your own the min age is 1 and kids under 5 are free, btw.

 

[aussieinvasion]

Thanks for the tip Irene, I ended up booking it. I thought it sounded like a pretty good deal but just wanted to see what you guys thought. Im a little confused though and hoping someone could clarify for me. Over here when you book a flight online you dont check in 24 hours prior, we just show up with our confirmation and photo ID. Can I still do that? Ive seen mention of checking in 24 hours prior after receiving an email or something to that effect.

Hey, I didnt know that about Chankanaab!! That might be the way to go, correct me if Im wrong but dont they have a replica of all the famous ruins there? Im definately going to check that out. Awesome, thanks so much for the tip

Hope everyone is well. It is crazy at the shop here in the lead up to Christmas, and has been for a few weeks now. Its been quite hot, up to 37 degrees celcius which adds to all the fun of fighting for a carpark and the Christmas crowds

 

[aussieinvasion]

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

I hope you all have a lovely holiday with your loved one's.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Just checking in...I hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas!
The days are slowly counting down, little by little...Only 249 left!

 

[ibela]

Happy holidays to everyone! Only 249 days left, thanks for the countdown. It's something I'm always lazy to look up and track but I'll try . . .

I don't think Chankanaab has any ruins, different excursion!

Anyone have any grand New Years resolutions?

 

[UGAFan0829]

My resolution isn't huge, but it's something I've wanted to do for a long time--To start running. The DH and I have a little training book that we're going to use that will hopefully prepare us to run some 5k's throughout the year...so we'll see how it goes.

What about everyone else?

 

[aussieinvasion]

I don't think Chankanaab has any ruins, different excursion!

I thought they had a miniature replica of the most famous ruins in Mexico? I could be mistaken, it just that I thought I read someone post that on here or maybe on cruisecritic.

Hows the little one going? I bet he has kept you on your toes over the Christmas and New Year

My resolution is the same every year, eat healthier and exercise more. I would love to lose some weight before the cruise because the thought of me in a swimsuit in public scares the life out of me
I wonder how possible this is going to be since we are going to DW for 10 days immediately before the cruise

 

[ibela]

Hows the little one going? I bet he has kept you on your toes over the Christmas and New Year

He sure has, I can't believe a month has already gone by! He's awesome.

My resolution is the same every year, eat healthier and exercise more. I would love to lose some weight before the cruise because the thought of me in a swimsuit in public scares the life out of me
I wonder how possible this is going to be since we are going to DW for 10 days immediately before the cruise

I'm sure it's POSSIBLE to lose and maintain the weight, just not fun.

I need to lose some weight too, well before the cruise. I'm a bridesmaid in June and the dress is NOT a forgiving one.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Hello, everyone!
Just wanted to check in and see how everyone is!
We had a family dinner on Sunday night, and the DH and I talked to my DSIL and DNiece for a while about the cruise. We discussed driving down the morning before and getting a hotel close to port so that we can be up bright and early the day that we embark. My DNiece wants to check out Cocoa Beach while we're there, so that will be something fun to do the night before. We also talked about our shore excursions, but haven't decided on anything final. They also told us that they are gonna dress up for Pirate Night! I'm excited about that since I wasn't sure if they wanted to or not! Now the DH and I have to find something to wear! Talking about it with them got me so excited and now I'm really in the planning mood. I started a checklist of all the things that I need to get done soon, like getting our passports, reserving a hotel for the night before, finding something to wear for Pirate Night, etc! I can't believe that we are only 234 days away. I remember when we first booked the cruise that it seemed so far away, but now that it's 2009, it's starting to look closer and closer!!!
Have any of you thought about doing a Pre-TR or TR? I know it's still early, but I love to write, especially about Disney, so I was thinking about doing a TR. I'll let ya know when/if I get it started!
Well, I guess that's enough rambling for now. I hope everyone had a great New Years!