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

[Grandma4ever]

Have you started packing yet?

Ray

Are you kidding I was almost done a week ago. Now I will have to take it all apart this Friday to make sure I haven't forgotten anything. I do this every year. Start packing almost 4 weeks before we leave and then repack. Lois

 

[MamaKoss]

I want to thank Michele (shoes99) for posting the picture of my wife & I. I'm having computer problems thanks to good old AOL.
Welcome to the "newcomers". We are looking forward to meeting you.
We are eating at Palo's on formal night, so I get out of renting a tux! Dan, I should of gone for my 4th degree at the K of C & then I'd have one for the cruise. I'm just bringing a blue blazer, slacks & a tie for Palo's & semi-formal night. I'm not sure what the wife is bringing (hey, I'm a guy-what do I know) but in case she reads this, I'm confident it will be stunning.
We leave New York next Tuesday for the Beach Club Villas. We are going to attend the first day of the pin event at Epcot. We plan to bring some pins on the cruise if any of you are pin collectors.
A final question for the guys who have previously sailed with Disney: Anyone lugging the beer mug back? Janet is trying to talk me out of it, so I need some support here!
See you all soon,
Chris

SgtSlovak...DH is bringing his disney mug! Matter-of-fact, I just took it out of the cabinet, washed it and have it ready to pack in our luggage. Gotta make sure to wrap it well so it doesn't get broken! Heck, we paid enough for that tall mug, might as well use it!

 

[MamaKoss]

Are you kidding I was almost done a week ago. Now I will have to take it all apart this Friday to make sure I haven't forgotten anything. I do this every year. Start packing almost 4 weeks before we leave and then repack. Lois

Lois, no wonder you are going crazy with time! I have begun gathering things for packing, but haven't actually packed yet. It seems unreal that we leave next week Saturday. I did get most of the toiletries together and put them in large Ziploc bags for the suitcases (so nothing leaks on clothes or other stuff). I will begin packing our dress clothes this weekend, plus other stuff. I will probably be packed and ready to go by next Wednesday. I just finished getting the kids back to school, covered all their books that needed covering, wrote checks until I thought my hand would fall off, and then cried over the lack of money left in our savings account!

Well, have fun in WDW. Kiss Mickey for us and tell him we'll be seeing him really soon!!!!

 

[MamaKoss]

That's not very nice.

I agree with you...Dan, that wasn't very nice. Now apologize to your brother, and you better mean it! Not one of those half-hearted "sorries"! Wow, motherhood just never seems to leave, no matter who you are dealing with! hahahaha

 

[MamaKoss]

Wow, I didn't check the board last night because I was too tired to get on the computer. Trying to get things done at home so I can concentrate on packing. You guys were busy last night! Lots of posts.

My garage and family room floor is back and intact. Now it has to dry. I don't think anything is going to get done in either place until we return from the cruise.

I have to go back to work now and actually get something done. I'm so excited, I can hardly concentrate on work or anything!

Hugs and Kisses
Soon they will be for real!

 

[stina]

I always pack the night before, which usually involves staying up until 1am, but I am a procrastinator. I have put some things in the suitcase, like snorkel equipment, medicines that kind of stuff. Stuff I won't actually use in my day to day life. All my other clothes I'm still wearing so I kind of have to wait. My cat will probably pack some of her toys in the suitcase too! She usually does. That's her polite way of saying...don't leave me!

 

[DnJLaw777]

I agree with you...Dan, that wasn't very nice. Now apologize to your brother, and you better mean it! Not one of those half-hearted "sorries"! Wow, motherhood just never seems to leave, no matter who you are dealing with! hahahaha

No way, you know what they say about payback. Anyways he dishes it out, he needs to be able to take it too. We should all be able to joke around, if not, it's going to be a LONG 7 days!!!

 

[ladyemmaann]

Have you started packing yet?

Ray

Yes she has gone over packing.. Ironing, scheduals, Times.. and etc..
Can you say DIS trip planner / TA/ TG?

Now Lois, There are some of us still with work days a head, packing, in-law care and pet care to arrange.
This is how much time I had left at 7:02 this AM. 2 Days 20 Hrs 57 Mins 56 Secs WDW & DCL Here we come
BE CHEERFUL ABOUT WILL YA..

Our Time left before Flight out on this town is 9 days 4 hours and 30 mins time before SAILING is 10 days 14 hours and 30 mins..

 

[ladyemmaann]

I always pack the night before, which usually involves staying up until 1am, but I am a procrastinator. I have put some things in the suitcase, like snorkel equipment, medicines that kind of stuff. Stuff I won't actually use in my day to day life. All my other clothes I'm still wearing so I kind of have to wait. My cat will probably pack some of her toys in the suitcase too! She usually does. That's her polite way of saying...don't leave me!

Due to a muscle injury at work, I have had a few days off to pack. My DP has been caring for her parents evenings and working days. Thus I have many things sitting on the bed in our spare room. I will pull out the suitecases when the Doc releases me to lift.

Also.. Dis friends. we ask for your prayers / possitive thoughts this day. My DP's mom is back in the hospital for surg. The plastic surgn did not like the ways mom-in-law's scar looked or the SLOW way she was healing. Thus today they are "recutting" her stomach to check tissue, pain and draining problems. She will be in the hospitl over 1 or 2 nights the more healing.
WE are not canceling the trip. We will be adjusting care for my mother-in-law how ever.. My DP will be calling her oldest Brother and requesting that he or his wife come intown for that week. LIVE IN CARE for mom-in-law, not just someone checking in now and then........

 

[Grandma4ever]

Lois, no wonder you are going crazy with time! I have begun gathering things for packing, but haven't actually packed yet. It seems unreal that we leave next week Saturday. I did get most of the toiletries together and put them in large Ziploc bags for the suitcases (so nothing leaks on clothes or other stuff). I will begin packing our dress clothes this weekend, plus other stuff. I will probably be packed and ready to go by next Wednesday. I just finished getting the kids back to school, covered all their books that needed covering, wrote checks until I thought my hand would fall off, and then cried over the lack of money left in our savings account!

Well, have fun in WDW. Kiss Mickey for us and tell him we'll be seeing him really soon!!!!

I will be sure to tell Mickey not to miss the ship. We must have him onboard for our trip. I have always be a little OCD. Somethimes it work well other time Not so good. This is one of thos times it works.

Ladyemmaann you have our prayers.

I am on my way to the dentist. I believe I have a cracked tooth. Hopefully she will be able to treat it so it won't be an issue while on the cruise. Heres to positive thinking. Lois

 

[shoes99]

Here's some more of Sgt Slovak's crew.
Replace the blond in the middle with Shoes99's husband, and then you have all 7 of us.

 

[MamaKoss]

No way, you know what they say about payback. Anyways he dishes it out, he needs to be able to take it too. We should all be able to joke around, if not, it's going to be a LONG 7 days!!!

Oh, of course I'm joking with you all! I love to tease, dish out, take back, just as much as the next guy or gal. I'm a Clevelander, remember? By the way, are you leaving the day of the cruise (9/8) or are you going earlier?

 

[MamaKoss]

I have a question maybe some of my "friends" here can help me with. I've been tossing around the excursion for the Dolphin Encounter. Now, if I go with this, do I want to book through DCL or through a private place on the island? Which is better. I want to have real time with the Dolphin's; not just a pat on their head and that's it. For the money we will spend for it, I need some suggestions.

I know you guys all have experience with so much on our ports. Help me please. Give me your input please.

Thanks and have a magical mickey day!

 

[ch10dad]

I have a question maybe some of my "friends" here can help me with. I've been tossing around the excursion for the Dolphin Encounter. Now, if I go with this, do I want to book through DCL or through a private place on the island? Which is better. I want to have real time with the Dolphin's; not just a pat on their head and that's it. For the money we will spend for it, I need some suggestions.

I know you guys all have experience with so much on our ports. Help me please. Give me your input please.

Thanks and have a magical mickey day!

Can't help with the Disney/private issue except to say that when we were on the Western a few years ago we when to the park in Mexico (Che......?) via private taxi and after wandering around for a while decided to "swim with Carla the sea lion" (apparently you can't swim with sea lions in the US) We paid with credit cards at the facility and had a great time. We have had a "swim with the dolphins" at Discovery Cove in Orlando and it's a blast!

Why not check the cost of doing the excursion both ways. Sometimes it's a big difference, other times it's only a few dollars.

You might be able to "swim " at Cozumel and Grand Cayman. I found this quickly ssearching for CG dolphin swim. I'm sure I've seen others.

http://www.caycompass.com/cgi-bin/CFPnews.cgi?ID=1012436

*******************************************************************************
After posting this I thought I'd do a little more searching to see if our family wanted to go... So far I have found no viable "dolphin swim" excursions in CG... sorry...

 

[MamaKoss]

Can't help with the Disney/private issue except to say that when we were on the Western a few years ago we when to the park in Mexico (Che......?) via private taxi and after wandering around for a while decided to "swim with Carla the sea lion" (apparently you can't swim with sea lions in the US) We paid with credit cards at the facility and had a great time. We have had a "swim with the dolphins" at Discovery Cove in Orlando and it's a blast!

Why not check the cost of doing the excursion both ways. Sometimes it's a big difference, other times it's only a few dollars.

You might be able to "swim " at Cozumel and Grand Cayman. I found this quickly ssearching for CG dolphin swim. I'm sure I've seen others.

http://www.caycompass.com/cgi-bin/CFPnews.cgi?ID=1012436

Well, the dolphin encounter through DCL is $110 per person; the Chankanaab private is $139 per person, plus the $16 per person entrance into the National Park, plus the cost of the taxi. So, probably looking at more like $160 per person privately. I would hope the DCL includes the cost of the entrance to the National Park and the transportation; but I don't know. The dolphin encounter through DCL doesn't say swim with the dolphin's, just interact (so that can be quite vague). The Royal Dolphin Swim you are actually being taken for a ride with two dolphins (holding on to their fins) and also like water skiing (foot push) where the dolphin is under your feet with his nose pushing you through the water. Sounds fun. However, I have to talk to the family unit. I'm sure the kids will want the Royal Dolphin Swim, but for 4 people, it'll be like a total of $640.00 plus tip. That's high for 30 minutes of water time with the dolphins. I'm so confused!!

 

[msnicky28]

We are going, first cruise ever, and first disney cruise ! Myself, Dh, and little one year old DS So excited, can't wait !!
me 28
dh 28
ds 1

 

[Grandma4ever]

We are going, first cruise ever, and first disney cruise ! Myself, Dh, and little one year old DS So excited, can't wait !!
me 28
dh 28
ds 1

Welcome! I will add you to the roster. You can access the roster through the link in my siggie. Also there is a list of planned activities and meets. The most important would be the Mickey Pool on Deck nine at 3 PM on 9/8. Look for the folks with the lime green leis on. Ladyemmaann and myself will have them. We do have extra and they are 1 dollar each. We thought it would be a good way for us to recognize each other.

 

[Grandma4ever]

Roster has been updated. Remember this Friday is the last time I will be able to update the rooster or other links. As I leave in 2 Days 15 Hrs 16 Mins 34 Secs for WDW before this Cruise. Looking forward to seeing each of you on board. Lois

 

[ch10dad]

Well, the dolphin encounter through DCL is $110 per person; the Chankanaab private is $139 per person, plus the $16 per person entrance into the National Park, plus the cost of the taxi. So, probably looking at more like $160 per person privately. I would hope the DCL includes the cost of the entrance to the National Park and the transportation; but I don't know. The dolphin encounter through DCL doesn't say swim with the dolphin's, just interact (so that can be quite vague). The Royal Dolphin Swim you are actually being taken for a ride with two dolphins (holding on to their fins) and also like water skiing (foot push) where the dolphin is under your feet with his nose pushing you through the water. Sounds fun. However, I have to talk to the family unit. I'm sure the kids will want the Royal Dolphin Swim, but for 4 people, it'll be like a total of $640.00 plus tip. That's high for 30 minutes of water time with the dolphins. I'm so confused!!

I would call Disney and ask specifically what you get. You can also email (call) the folks in Chankanaab. I did find this website:
http://www.dolphindiscovery.com/
I think it's the outfit that actually runs the "encounters."

When you click the Cozumel page they are quoting $105 for adults, for 45min including orientation (probably 30 min in water with other people, etc).

It cost us about $180 a head to do it at Discovery Cove several years ago, as FL residents and pass holders to the sister theme park! (ofcourse it included access to their own park... The actual time for us was probably about 30-40 min in the water in a group of 6-8. We did have fun, got the pictures, etc. But it was an expensive day.

We're going to pass as their min age is 8, DD7 would be bummed

Also note that if you click on "dolphin encounter it quotes $88, plus taxi, etc, so it's probably close to a wash through Disney (only if you want the "encounter").

Hope it helps

 

[ch10dad]

Roster has been updated. Remember this Friday is the last time I will be able to update the rooster or other links. As I leave in 2 Days 15 Hrs 16 Mins 34 Secs for WDW before this Cruise. Looking forward to seeing each of you on board. Lois

you're gonna leave us on our own?

I really need to find a good maniacal emoticon!!!


Thanks for all your time orginizing the various events!

Ray