1/15/2005

[big jack 2002]

We're staying at Disney--the Pop Century. POFQ was completely booked for the 3 days before we go!!

 

[Meshee]

Big Jack 2002, we stayed at Pop Century last April for 4 days with our 2 kids and loved it. It was our first time at a disney resort and we would definitely go back.

 

[karebear1]

My DH (Jim) and I are staying at Wilderness Lodge nad catching a town car down. Anyone done that before?

 

[Holly&Joesmommy]

Hey BigCat thanks for putting this together!

We'll be there.

 

[big jack 2002]

I was looking at the ship's deck plans and there are three conference rooms on deck 2. I wonder if we could get one of these for a short time--or do we want it outside, maybe on deck 7's secret verandah?

 

[mark & sandra]

Just a heads up folks-

Disney has changed their excursion and deposit criteria. Although most of us have booked before the changeover and are not required to finalize their bookings by today, one advantage to paying in full, by today, is that Disney is allowing all excursions to be booked 90 days out instead of 60 days as long as final payment are made...Mark

 

[Houzer]

Mark: Yes that is what Meshee and I found out last week when we payed our trips off. The DCL staff told us we could now book our excursions. Great news for those who have it payed before the November 15 deadline. Houzer

 

[pershing]

Ditto on what kellimomo said. If everyone is bringing their little ones, then I will bring mine too. So, it'll either be just me, or me and 3 DS's 10,8,6.

Yes, thank you for organizing this cruise meet.

 

[mark & sandra]

One of the things we plan on doing while in Key West is renting an electric golf cart to explore the island. We did it last year and it was great. These are samples of their cars from their web page...Mark

 

[karebear1]

Mark- can you give us a website please?

 

[mark & sandra]

Sure, I don't think I rented from this place though. There are quite a few to rent from. ALL have coupons that you pick up from street venders that peddle companies that throw them commissions. You get a voucher for 2 free hours and they get credit. The one I rented from was across the street from Sloppy Joe's. I even think that Shirley from The perfect Gift has some coupons. She frequents these boards and is the resident expert on Key West. Her site is www.theperfectgift.com and the rental company is http://www.keywest.com/keywestcruisers/ I would use this site for info only and find the best rates through Shirley...Mark

 

[kellimomo3]

We are staying at the Holiday Inn Family Suites for the week before the cruise and doing Universal/IOA and Disney. We are planning to get to the port by 11:00 am.

Kelli

 

[pershing]

Originally posted by karebear1
My DH (Jim) and I are staying at Wilderness Lodge nad catching a town car down. Anyone done that before?

Last November, we stayed not at Wilderness but All Star Sports. We had Tiffany Town car pick us at 10am and we were checking in at 11:15 with absolutely no one in front of us. The kids were actually bummed that they didn't have time to sit and watch cartoons in the waiting area at the Port. When we had our 'what are the three things you really want to do on this trip', getting to the port earlier for the cartoons was one of my eldest's requests. GO FIGURE!

So we're leaving early this time, from the Swan. Which is good 'cause I'm driving a rental car this time and we have to do the whole drop off and shuttle deal. Little nervous about that but hoping for the best.

 

[karebear1]

So- are you saying that everyone else had already checked in by the time yu got there? Or do they allow those that come via limo to check in first? I thought check in wasn't until 12:00. I KNOW NOTHING!! Please educate me! thanks!

 

[pershing]

Originally posted by karebear1
So- are you saying that everyone else had already checked in by the time yu got there? Or do they allow those that come via limo to check in first? I thought check in wasn't until 12:00. I KNOW NOTHING!! Please educate me! thanks!

Yeah! I do need to clarify.

Everyone else who had arrived ahead of us had already done the checking in where they look over your documents. THEN you get in one of those swirly attraction type lines to go on the ship.

I waited in that line alone for a little while as the kids began to watch cartoons, but before they even got into it, they were letting people on the ship! The kids were bummed until they realized they could jump in the pools right away (arrived w/bathing suits on.) My kids weren't going to touch that buffet until they had done some quality swimming! And then they opened the slide-food was not the priority.

Some waiter came by with these beautiful mixed drinks of which I eagerly took one and sat there totally relaxed for the first time in years.

Any wonder I'm heading back!

 

[karebear1]

Sorry to ask so many questions- but I just plain don't know the answers!

Were you able to get Palo ressies arriving at that time? What time do they allow people in and start checking their paper work?
I hayte lines! I'd rather be the first then the last - and especially in this case because of the anxiety I feel about wanting a Palo ressie!

Can I ask everyone's first names and just a little bit about them please???? It will make it easier to place names and faces for me. My name is Karen (45), and my husband is Jim (48). We live in Portland, OR. I'm a SAHM- but all our kids are grown! I have been training for the past 6 months to walk in the WDW Half Marathon on January 9th- the week before the cruise. The Cruise is a reward celebration for doing the half and a 25th Anniversary Celebration for my DH and I. My DH is the Head Engineer for a Construction Company. His company is working here on the Willamette River clean up. If you have any interest in underground construction- deep tunnel work- he's the man to see! We have 2 daughters and one son- ages 23, 22, and 21.

Anyone else?

 

[kellimomo3]

My name is Kelli (34), my husband's name is Ron (41). I am a stay at home mom to our three sons ages at cruise 8, 6 1/2, 4 1/2. I am really into scrapbooking and enjoy being a mom. My husband works in computer ergonomic equipment sales. We live in Tolland, CT but I am originally from Cape Cod, MA.
My father passed away at age 54 last year from esphageal cancer, he was a heavy smoker. Anyway...he left myself and my four siblings some money and we are using part of it for this great vacation. We have been to Disney & Universal twice with our kids but never cruised with them.
We are planning to surprise them Christmas morning with a treasure hunt for puzzle pieces. When they put the puzzle together, it is a picture of the Magic. The boys have wanted to do the Disney cruise ever since our neighbors went last year. I keep it alive by talking about it a lot. They always ask, Mommy, do you think we can ever go too?! Little do they know, this has got to be the hardest secret I have ever kept and for soooo long. We booked about a year ago! I am looking forward to the week at the parks beforehand and I know by the time we get to the ship we will be so ready to relax and be taken care of!!

Random question for you all....Have any of you added the REAS package. We did and our travel agent (DU) says the ressies are not in the system yet but should be soon. I can't wait for Palo and massages!!!


Kelli

 

[bigcat2000]

hi all again,
helllllo evvvvvvery one.

its me again, just want to double check the list, and maybe add a few things if nessary.

well let me tell you all about my self first b4 we get to the buss. i am from akron ohio. but moved away about 4 yrs agos, i was in the rent to own industary for about 10yrs. and then operated my own carwash, then went to that to owning a auto auction that we just opened, here in durham north carolina.

that was a quick history lesson of myself.

let me see if i got all the names and numbers right. if not just holler at me.

karebear1 which is jim and karen which = 2
pershing sorry i dont know your name. = yourself and 3 kids=4
kellimom which is kelli and ron and 3 sons=5
bigjack other people dont know you but you.=10
mark and sandra i hope that is your real names=2
holly and joesmommy, i think holly and joe =2
and not least myself bill smith =1

so if my math is right we have a total of 26 so far, if others would like to join please feel free to do so.


__________________
you always pack to many clothes, but never bring enough money.

 

[mark & sandra]

bigcat2000
We will have 2 kids in tow also (daughter age12, son age10) and Father-in-law...Mark

 

[Holly&Joesmommy]

Bigcat,

This is your sister- inlaw and brother!!
There are four of us remember?
Kelly, Ben, Holly(7) and Joe(3)

I'm not sure if mom counted us or not? You can add my parents and sister also.

Kelly