09/15/07 Early Check in September 15, 2007 Eastern

[lg3]

I'm so glad you had a good time! We love DL too - My best friend lives very near and we try to take a trip there every other year. It is great for dd as it is not so big, noisy or overwhelming as WDW can be at times. We also really enjoy DCA a lot. A nice change of pace.

 

[Bareacuda]

Here is the thread where I was posting while I was there:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1465105

It was a Live From DL thread that sort of turned into a trip report. We loved DL, but we were prepared by lots of people to expect it to be different, and we were prepared. Like the castle is ALOT smaller. And the park itself does seem alot smaller, even the queues are very tight, and I REALLY hate standing that close to strangers. But it is really neat how you can just walk back and forth from DL to Calif Adventure. Transportation back and forth to the hotel was a breeze, just hopped on the ART bus.

We found several rides that we liked better at DL than WDW: Pirates, Haunted Mansion, and Buzz come to mind. It was a little like seeing WDW with fresh eyes. And we LOVED Calif Adventure. Alot of people don't like that park, and think it should have never been built. We thought it was just awesome. And best of all, we saw Crush there, and he gave DD Kelsey the nickname "Kahuna Kelsey"! Now we all call her that!

DL is just more intimate. Yes smaller comes to mind, but heck it had to grow somewhere.
At CA is more walking but well worth it. It's going to have many changes coming up and you probably seen a few of them.
LOVE California Screamin' did it only twice on Friday. "Look Mom... no hands" is our saying.

Im glad you had such a magical time there.

The Other Ann

 

[Mommaraven]

I'm a huge DW fan...and I can't really imagine like DL as much...but I REALLY would love to see what Pirates is like there. I've heard it's much longer and even better than the DW version. Anyone have any thoughts on that?

 

[JNorris]

I'm a huge DW fan...and I can't really imagine like DL as much...but I REALLY would love to see what Pirates is like there. I've heard it's much longer and even better than the DW version. Anyone have any thoughts on that?

Pirates is awesome, better than at WDW. It is longer, and has more drops, and because we didn't know where the drops were, it made it more exciting!

As long as you go to DL knowing what to expect, you won't be disappointed. Although I often felt like I was missing that emotional connection I have with WDW, I did get misty-eyed when thinking of it being "Walt's park". If only that man could know today what he has created for families around the world, not just a theme park, but a place families come together to make memories. Our lives would not be the same without Disney.

 

[Bareacuda]

Judy, I think you are right about the lump in the throat.

I don't get that feeling when we visit WDW. It's because DL is "home" to us. And WDW is "home" to you. DH and I grew up only 35 miles from DL, so we figured we have been going to DL since we were 3 or 4... that makes it 50 scared1: )years of magic.

Ann

 

[JNorris]

Judy, I think you are right about the lump in the throat.

I don't get that feeling when we visit WDW. It's because DL is "home" to us. And WDW is "home" to you. DH and I grew up only 35 miles from DL, so we figured we have been going to DL since we were 3 or 4... that makes it 50 scared1: )years of magic.

Ann

Ann, you hit the nail on the head. Only, my memories of WDW are all wrapped in my DD's childhood, because I never went there as a child. But everytime I go to WDW, and we go through those gates that first day at Magic Kingdom, I want to cry thinking of how much my DD has grown up since her first visit there at 7 months old.

 

[kamgen]

When I went to DL, I really loved it! I loved that it was different and didn't how much smaller it is. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE WDW and feel like I am at "home" there, but DL was great and I hope to take my dh and kids there someday!

And yeah, Pirates was way better there!!

 

[Mommaraven]

Okay...a word about flights...I know we're way behind here, but we are trying to book flights and I can't remember times for the return flight. I remember we had an afternoon flight out and we waited for HOURS...which would not be good this time since we are going with Joey.

If we book a return flight that leaves at noon, are we going to be able to get to the airport on time using the DCL shuttles?

 

[Lisa0503]

Hi Megan - I have read on the boards that you should be Ok with a noon flight but you would not want to book a return flight much earlier than that.....

I have updated the website with all the changes that have been either e-mailed or PM'ed to me. If anyone wants to be added or have anything changed on the website, please send me an e-mail or PM me. Thanks!!!

 

[LoriS]

Ann (Bareacuda) Do you have a deadline for ordering the bracelets yet?

 

[kamgen]

Megan- you should be fine with a noon flight....but i wouldn't worry too much since the airport has a lot of nice stores, a food court, etc....I just would hold off on going through security since once you go it is nothing.
I still wish you were staying longer....at least one night!!! I mean, Sunday is my birthday and I cannot believe you are rushing home right after the cruise (no guilt here! LOL!)

We are still looking at flights too....want to get a good deal, but dont want to wait too long....so we are checking all our options. And we are still deciding on our transportation options....so much to do!
I still cannot believe it is only 3mths away! I am so excited!

On other news...yesterday was Liam's 6mth check up! He is doing great....weighs 18.4lbs and 27 inches long.....funny thing about that is that Ryan was only 30 inches when he was 15mths old...and Liam is only 6mths...it is so funny how we compare them and realize how different each baby is. Just wanted to share.

 

[Lisa0503]

OMG...Kammy!!! I can't believe that Liam is already 6 months old. It seems like only a few months at most. Time goes by WAY too fast!!! It seems like the older I get, the faster times flies.

Can you all believe that THIS weekend, CC members can prebook!!! I am so excited....

 

[tinkerbelle77]

Megan- you should be fine with a noon flight....but i wouldn't worry too much since the airport has a lot of nice stores, a food court, etc....I just would hold off on going through security since once you go it is nothing.
I still wish you were staying longer....at least one night!!! I mean, Sunday is my birthday and I cannot believe you are rushing home right after the cruise (no guilt here! LOL!)

We are still looking at flights too....want to get a good deal, but dont want to wait too long....so we are checking all our options. And we are still deciding on our transportation options....so much to do!
I still cannot believe it is only 3mths away! I am so excited!

On other news...yesterday was Liam's 6mth check up! He is doing great....weighs 18.4lbs and 27 inches long.....funny thing about that is that Ryan was only 30 inches when he was 15mths old...and Liam is only 6mths...it is so funny how we compare them and realize how different each baby is. Just wanted to share.

Kami,
I can't beleive were at 3 months either, we leave in 1 month for 6 days at WDW and 5 days in Oklahoma City...so things are going to be hectic...we have also taken on remodeling the kitchen, and its in shambles right now, hopefully its finished before we leave in July!
We just booked our return flight on SW for $99 each...a little more than we wanted to pay, but we wanted to have the last flight home on Sunday, We leave at 8:35...As far as the transportation goes, we were going to use a limo service with a van, but we found it was cheaper to rent a mini-van from budget, and drive to the port, return the car, and then get another mini-van to drive back to WDW! its all under $200, and there are 7 of us, so thats a pretty good deal!

I can't believe Liam is 6months old, it just seems like yesterday that you were posting the first pics! Can't wait till September!

 

[Bareacuda]

Hi Lori,

No I haven't set a deadline as of yet. I 'll order them by late July.
I may just order X dozen. And hope more sign up for them.

Kami... are you reading the calendar right??? Liam cant be 6 months old! Didn't you post his pics a few weeks ago? Oh My Gosh!

 

[Anjelica]

Hey - Is anyone else planning on doing either the French Riviera Beach Rendezvous in St. Martin or the Maagens Bay Beach Break in St. Thomas?

We have booked those already but didn't know if anyone else was planning on doing those. Has anyone done those before? If so - how did you like it?

 

[Bareacuda]

Hello Cruisers....

Speaking of our wrist bands...

We probably can order the lime green bands if we could join forces with the other 2 cruises that Im going on(sept8-15 and 22-29). On both cruises the # are low, not making the minimum. But with 3 cruises we probably will make the #s.

We could still use the lime green color, but... using a generic sailing date of:
"Cruising the Magic September 2007"

Anyone have input?

Ann

 

[kamgen]

Ann,
I like that idea...we would want them!

You guys are right...Liam is growing up so fast and time does fly!!
Here is a recent pic of him! He is so adorable...if i do say so myself!

We are starting to get things together for the cruise. Went shopping and found some wonderful Disney outfits for the boys to wear to dinner and such, all on clearance! Got most of them for under $8 each...for full outfits. So I was pretty happy! And I love the cute Disney stuff....most of it is Cars and Tigger and soem of it matches...yeah, i am so cheesy!

I am waiting on clothes for me...still trying to lose weight...I am hoping to drop a huge chunk (no pun intended ) by end of August...then make a mad dash for clothes! And a wedding dress! Better find it sooner and then just get it altered!
Oh, what fun!

 

[TLHB70]

Oh Kamgen, he is PRECIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ann, that is a good idea about the bracelets. I don't mind just the month and year. It is fine with me. Honestly, I would even be fine with "DIS cruiser" on it. I plan to wear mine for each future Disney vacation after this -- future DCL trips and WDW trips. It will be another lime green item that I wear to identify myself as a DISer.

 

[lg3]

kamgen - Liam is just adorable!!!! What a great picture. I am glad to see you are raising him properly from the beginning with the lime green too - a future DIS"er, I'm sure.

Regarding the bracelets, that is fine by me if they are more generic. No problem at all.

 

[Jennifer48]

Hey all,

Sorry for all the confusion about the 90 day mark for ressies. I guess I got carried away and miscounted So SUNDAY morning I'll be up at 3am ready to make all mine!

Ann--the bracelet is fine. I have no problem with it just saying September 2007.
Kamgen--your baby IS adorable. So cute.

I'm so excited for this cruise!