09/08/07 Early Check in September 8, 2007 Western

[stina]

jammie casual...nice!

Ann: I like that grandma credit card trick, very funny. Reminds me of that commercial where the kid yells out "Dad, mom wants new floors!" and then "Mom, dad wants a new motorcycle!"

Seriously though, speaking of clothes, I have got to lose a few lbs. before the cruise because I ALWAYS gain weight from being marinated in alcohol and fruit juice for a week! It's not the food, it's the alcohol that does it to me, but no way am I giving up my pub crawl!

stina

 

[Bareacuda]

jammie casual...nice!

Ann: I like that grandma credit card trick, very funny. Reminds me of that commercial where the kid yells out "Dad, mom wants new floors!" and then "Mom, dad wants a new motorcycle!"

Seriously though, speaking of clothes, I have got to lose a few lbs. before the cruise because I ALWAYS gain weight from being marinated in alcohol and fruit juice for a week! It's not the food, it's the alcohol that does it to me, but no way am I giving up my pub crawl!

stina

So on CC all we have to do is turn you over every once in awhile??
You can lose those few pounds before we all leave.

Ok Gang...
I won tickets to the new "Finding Nemo" ride at Disneyland!
It's for next Thursday... I hope I dont start walking there, it will probably take me till then to get there. Im so excited

 

[Grandma4ever]

So on CC all we have to do is turn you over every once in awhile??
You can lose those few pounds before we all leave.

Ok Gang...
I won tickets to the new "Finding Nemo" ride at Disneyland!
It's for next Thursday... I hope I dont start walking there, it will probably take me till then to get there. Im so excited

You go girl. When you get back you will have to tell us all about it. I would be jumping out ofmy skin. I would however recommend that you take another means of transportation there is some pretty rough country between you and ride to try do get there on foot. Enjoy. Lois

 

[Bareacuda]

I think we'll take my PT !

Oh I will tell you all about it! When I was a kid I love the submarine ride.

The best part was watching the real live mermaides in the lagoon. It looked sortta weird when you can see ducks sitting next to them.

I have the hotel booked... it directly accross the street from the main entrance. We have stayed there before... very nice place for a sleep and bathe place.And you can watch the fireworks too. What a great Disney-fix before the cruise.

 

[Grandma4ever]

I think we'll take my PT !

Oh I will tell you all about it! When I was a kid I love the submarine ride.

The best part was watching the real live mermaides in the lagoon. It looked sortta weird when you can see ducks sitting next to them.

I have the hotel booked... it directly accross the street from the main entrance. We have stayed there before... very nice place for a sleep and bathe place.And you can watch the fireworks too. What a great Disney-fix before the cruise.

I am glad you are taking the PT. I was just a little concerned about you walking all that way it being desert and all.

Can't wait to get your report. Kinda hoping you don't like it then I won't have to fight taking a trip to DL. So much to do and never enough money to do it all.

Anyone out there know what the winning POWERBALL numbers are going to be? Lois

 

[stina]

Congratulations! Enjoy DL. That sounds like lots of fun. I too loved the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride when I was a kid. I have such distinct memories of going on it with my parents (at WDW) when I was 6. Too bad it is no longer at WDW, it's now sunken under the blue at Castaway Cay! Which reminds me, last time I was snorkeling at CC I stubbed my toe on the Nautilus, not so fun!!!

 

[CINGULARONE@YAHOO.CO]

To all-

On our last cruise, we sat at a large table. Joining us were our friends, and 2 other couples. Each night (on a 10 day cruise) the other couples would bring their own wine to the table. Princess (I know, a naughty word on this board) would open the wine for them. Even with the corking charge, the cost of the wine was less than what the cruise line was charging.

I sent Disney and Email asking them if this was allowed, the reply is posted below. Please don't think I am a cheap guy (remember that I think I am the CEO of Tommy Bahama)..... A cheap ($12) bottle of wine on the shipe is $26 (plus the %15 tip). A good bottle of wine ($30) can go up to $65.

I am not sure that we are going to take wine, but it is nice to know that we can. We might bring a few bottles with us and drink them on the balcony during the day / early evening. We are in a different position than most cruisers, we live 45 minutes from the port, we don't have to worry about lugging all our luggage through and airport.

6/2/07

Thank you for choosing a Disney Cruise Line Vacation!

Disney Cruise Line does not prohibit Guests from bringing alcohol
onboard. However, please be aware that any fragile items (including
alcohol) must be hand-carried onboard in a day bag and/or carry-on,
which cannot exceed 22" wide, 14" high and 9" deep. Please note that
beverage coolers are not permitted onboard (cannot be checked or hand
carried).

Guests who request a Wine Steward to open and serve a bottle of
champagne, wine, or liquor that has been brought onboard will be
charged
a corking fee of $15.00 per bottle.

Hope all is well -

 

[PrettyInTink]

To all-

On our last cruise, we sat at a large table. Joining us were our friends, and 2 other couples. Each night (on a 10 day cruise) the other couples would bring their own wine to the table. Princess (I know, a naughty word on this board) would open the wine for them. Even with the corking charge, the cost of the wine was less than what the cruise line was charging.

I sent Disney and Email asking them if this was allowed, the reply is posted below. Please don't think I am a cheap guy (remember that I think I am the CEO of Tommy Bahama)..... A cheap ($12) bottle of wine on the shipe is $26 (plus the %15 tip). A good bottle of wine ($30) can go up to $65.

I am not sure that we are going to take wine, but it is nice to know that we can. We might bring a few bottles with us and drink them on the balcony during the day / early evening. We are in a different position than most cruisers, we live 45 minutes from the port, we don't have to worry about lugging all our luggage through and airport.

6/2/07

Thank you for choosing a Disney Cruise Line Vacation!

Disney Cruise Line does not prohibit Guests from bringing alcohol
onboard. However, please be aware that any fragile items (including
alcohol) must be hand-carried onboard in a day bag and/or carry-on,
which cannot exceed 22" wide, 14" high and 9" deep. Please note that
beverage coolers are not permitted onboard (cannot be checked or hand
carried).

Guests who request a Wine Steward to open and serve a bottle of
champagne, wine, or liquor that has been brought onboard will be
charged
a corking fee of $15.00 per bottle.

Hope all is well -

Hey CEO! This is the wife of your executive assistant speaking. When you see me in the cruise terminal, I'll be lugging around 2 carryons: one filled with bottled water (no way am I paying an arm and a leg for evian) and the other filled with 'spirits' (mainly bud light in the can and some champagne). Call me a redneck, country bumpkin, whatever- but I'm not gonna break the bank to have my beer or two (or 10). Our mini fridge stays plenty stocked. And your room steward will bring you an ice bucket and wine glasses if you like. By the end of the cruise, both carry ons are empty and ready for souvies! Just a tip......But we drive down, so I alone check about 6 bags....

 

[CINGULARONE@YAHOO.CO]

Tink -

6 bags alone? As a general rule, the better half (Donita) packs like that. This cruise though, things are going to be different (yeah right). My brother and his family along with our mother are traveling with us.

We are going to try to fit all the luggage for the 8 of us (6 adults and 2 kids) into the back of my Avalanche and the back of Donita's vehicle. I am hoping that my sister in law will pack lighthly (Joy are you reading this?).

I do feel bad for the people flying into Orlando. Only 2 bags without an additional charge? I think Donita has that many for shoes and purses alone.

Hope all is well -

 

[PrettyInTink]

Dennis- I only pack so much because I have so many shoes to bring. Shoes, shoes, I love shoes.
But next May I'm doing the 15 day panama canal cruise how on earth will I fly? I'm gonna have to pay extra because there is no way I'm fitting all my clothes in 2 bags with weight limits. My suitcases have to weigh atleast 100 lbs each!
The first DCL cruise I took I followed the 'luggage rules'. When I got to port and realized NO ONE but my family had limited luggage, I swore that next time I would bring every pair of shoes if I wanted. I also have big feet so my shoes take up lots of room.
Ds Alex only brings 1 bag (even on the 10 day cruise). DDAmber brings A LOT, DH brings about 3 (he insists on traveling with his dress shoes in the box, with shoe trees in place). Ah, the joys of packing.....

 

[TinkerbellTris]

There is Luggage rules!??? I must have missed reading this. Oh boy, this is gonna be some rough times. O.k. So 2 checked bags, per person, and how many carry ons per person? Or does this include carry ons? This is not looking good, I just did a quick 5 day trip to L.A. 2 for work, and 3 for Pirates premiere, and myself alone, I had 1 gigantic checked bag and 3 carry ons. (I was surprised no one said anything about the 3 carry ons)

 

[PrettyInTink]

I'm pretty sure DCL doesn't enforce the luggage rules anymore. For the 11 day last sept kevin and I checked 9 bags. And that wasn't counting the water and booze bags we rolled on the ship with us. It was a sight to see, but my formal dress took up half a suitcase!

 

[PrettyInTink]

On the subject of wine for dinner, I would love to buy a few bottles of wine to serve for dinner, but I take issue with their corking fee. I wouldn't mind if they would reasonably price the wine on the ship but they jack the prices up as it is! Ill just have my drinks here and there and pour my wine in the room. Anyone bringing wine aboard, don't forgt a corkscrew! That's the one thing room steward couldn't hunt down for us.

Another question, is anyone doing the spa villa onboard? I would love to, but the week before at WDW we are doing some stuff at the GF spa. The spa villa is pretty spendy! If anyone is doing any spa treatments I would highly recommend the ProCollagen Facial. It was WONDERFUL and worth every penny. Also the Rasul was very nice! We didn't use it for the (ahem) 'other' reason that people use it for. But trying all of the products, the steam room, and the overall experience was great. it is a must for couples if you have never tried it. Kevin and I loved it.

 

[CINGULARONE@YAHOO.CO]

Tink-

I promise I am not making this up.... I visited the spa at Saratgoga Springs yesterday and was completely disapointed. Both Donita and I love everything Disney, except for this.

On numerous occasions I have made comments that Disney does everything just a little bit better than their competition. I need to ammend this thought process. I was amazed at the poor layout, the lack of cleanliness, and the disorganization of the spa. In the relaxation lunge, they had nail dryers going, not qute the place to 'relax'. In the locker rooms, combs were in 1 location, the hair gel was in yet another room (this just a small example of how disorganized the place was). As far as the cleanliness goes, I could not beleive that I was on Disney property. It was shameful on what the staff was doing, or not doing.

I may be a bit of a snob with regards to spa's. Living in Orlando, we are not short on wonderful resorts, with great spas to go along. Once a month, wether I need one or not, a massage is in order. I have recently started going to different spas, scoping out all there is to see. By and far, this was the worst spa that I have visited in Orlando, most likely one of the bottom 5 of ALL spas (including those visited outside of Orlando) that I have visited.

I don't mean to sound negative, but if you are tempted to visit a spa on your holiday, you might want to think twice about this one. The spa at the Grand Floridian is run by the same company that manages the one in Saratoga Springs, I will visit next month and see if there are differences.

Hope that this has not put anyone in a dour mood....

Hope all is well-

 

[CINGULARONE@YAHOO.CO]

Dennis- I only pack so much because I have so many shoes to bring. Shoes, shoes, I love shoes.
But next May I'm doing the 15 day panama canal cruise how on earth will I fly? I'm gonna have to pay extra because there is no way I'm fitting all my clothes in 2 bags with weight limits. My suitcases have to weigh atleast 100 lbs each!
The first DCL cruise I took I followed the 'luggage rules'. When I got to port and realized NO ONE but my family had limited luggage, I swore that next time I would bring every pair of shoes if I wanted. I also have big feet so my shoes take up lots of room.
Ds Alex only brings 1 bag (even on the 10 day cruise). DDAmber brings A LOT, DH brings about 3 (he insists on traveling with his dress shoes in the box, with shoe trees in place). Ah, the joys of packing.....

Tink -

Have you done the Canal yet? We did a partial transit last month (in and out of Fort Lauderdale) - it was wonderful. Make sure you get a balcony, it was definetly worth the extra money. Our friends had an ocean view, ended up on our balcony with us. They bought the cocktails last night.

We are contemplating doing a full transit in the fall of next year. Are you doing the Disney PC, or are you on another cruise line?

Can anyone tell by the number of posts today that the weather is miserable in Orlando today?

Weather is here, wish you were beuatiful (song lyric from my Uncle Jimmy (Buffett)

 

[PrettyInTink]

Dennis- WOW, glad I'm not going to the SSR spa. I have heard mixed reviews about the spa at the GF. So we shall see. Our package is an all day package with lunch included, salt scrubs, massage, bath, facial, mani-pedi, the works. I was a salon manager and hairdresser before I lost my mind and started driving truck, and in my salon, clean was a MUST. Disney has a lot of liability is a salon/spa that is not clean, especially if state board drops in. Sounds like management problems to me. I hope GF isn't the same. I would hate to have to leave and demand my money back. I make people that cut my hair sanatize the sink bowl before washing my hair (they are supposed to do it anyway, but most dont). Also, they should change their barbacide (blue stuff with combs in it) DAILY! Most don't, and if I see hair floating around, or if the barbacide is not really blue I will ask them when the last time they changed it. You wouldn't believe the crap they try to tell me. Like I don't know the rules and regs or something.

 

[CINGULARONE@YAHOO.CO]

To all our 'New Disney Cruisers'

Not sure where I picked up this link, it might have been earlier on this thread. It has a ton of good information on it.

http://www.castawayclub.com/

Hope all is well -

 

[stina]

This luggage conversation is cracking me up. You guys pack like Miss Piggy! My one question is... where do you put all that luggage when you get onboard? The staterooms are certainly livable but they don't have a lot of extra storage space. We bring three suitcases for the 2 of us (one big, one medium, one small) and can barely find space in the room for them!

I have to weigh in on the spa conversation even though I have never used any WDW spas or DCL spas. On our 2005 cruise with friends, several of our friends did the castaway cay cabana massages and one of the friends is a massage therapist herself. THEY HATED THEM. They hated them so much they were actually ANGRY and wanted their money back. They didn't go in with outrageous expectations but they said that the service and treatment was NOT up to Disney standards and not even up to professional massage standards. I'm not saying this to discourage any of you, I know DISboards is a great place to exchange opinions. I'm just passing on this information as a witness to their post-massage anger, so I can't speak from personal experience. But listening to their complaints has certainly influenced me to avoid spa treatments on DCL. Which is really too bad, for me and DCL!

I just got back from seeing Spiderman 3. It wasn't as good as the first two spidey films , but I did enjoy Topher Grace's role in the movie. He's hilarious. While at the mall I also was tempted into buying a second pair of crocs... now I have 2 pairs for the cruise! Yay! When I cruise all I care about is comfortable footwear. (Same goes for WDW) I can't relax and have a good time unless my feet are completely happy!

stina

 

[ladyemmaann]

So on CC all we have to do is turn you over every once in awhile??
You can lose those few pounds before we all leave.

Ok Gang...
I won tickets to the new "Finding Nemo" ride at Disneyland!
It's for next Thursday... I hope I dont start walking there, it will probably take me till then to get there. Im so excited

Congrats Ann!!!! We say it being built last year when we were there on our anivers. I loved to looks of it then and can't wait to hear about the ride through your view.. Cooolll...
Have fun....

 

[MCourtney]

I'd like to add my 2 cents worth of experience to the spa discussion - now all of these were onboard the Wonder (not Magic) but same spa company I guess. First cruise we did the couples masasge (DH did hot stones, I did deep tissue) and a salt scrub. Fabulous....we were pulling out of CC and saw the sunset... wow! Second cruise was with my sister, she had manicure and pedicure, I had highlights and a cut/blow dry. My hair was so good, that I ended up changing hairstylists when I got back home as I then realized she was way overpriced. Disney is $$$ as we all know, so when I got the bill for my hair, and it was LESS than what I pay my then regular person, and it was bettter done ...... well let's say I have now found someone else. Anyway, have nothing but great things to say about the spa onboard. They do try to sell their spa (not hair) products though. Not bad products, but rather expensive and frankly I didn't need them. Never done the spa at any WDW resort however.

Would like to know though how you like the GF spa.... they have a "first time manicure/pedicure" package that I would love to give my DD as a birthday treat in a few years.....