1/22/2006 Roll Call for Wonder Cruisers

[Tahoe]

Hi everyone! Welcome Michael and Marc--good to see there's other southern Californians cruising with us!

I have so much going on right now, but I still make a point of checking in on the boards every day. I have yet to get airline reservations, but I check that every day too. Can't let this vacation slip my mind for even a second!

We're headed up to Disneyland for a couple of nights at the Grand Californian this weekend. Can't wait to do some shopping for the cruise (and Halloween). Looking for pirate garb--and DD wants to be Tinkerbell.

Until next time,
Karin

 

[WeLuvDCL]

If you haven't book a flight yet you should check out www.flysong.com. We flew Song from LAX to Orlando after our repo cruise and it was great! They offer non-stop flights from LAX (and other cities including Hartford, CT) to Orlando. I've flown Song twice and both times were great. Friendly staff and little TVs on the back of all headrests. You can watch free TV, play free interactive trivia game with fellow passengers or purchase a $5 movie. They are part of Delta so, if you have FF miles, I think you can use them.

 

[M4travels]

Karin:
We're really looking forward to this trip. We'll miss you at the Grand California by one week. We'll be there from the 30th through the 2nd as this weekend requires a trip up to the wine country. Have to keep all those grapes happy!
We've started the pirate search as well. Tell your DD that we promise not to try and upstage her as Tinkerbell!

WeLuvDCL:
We booked our flights on Song and were quite pleased with the price, etc. Yes, we're taking the red-eye, but I can sleep!

Have a great day, folks!
Michael (and Marc)

 

[MelissaE1]

Karin:
Tell your DD that we promise not to try and upstage her as Tinkerbell!

OMG, you are too funny!

Someone tell me about the Grand Californian. Have I been away from home that long?? I grew up a Disneyland girl but since we moved to FL I've spent more time at the World. DD and I were just at DL and I couldn't believe how much it had changed! First time for me at California Adventure. Pretty cool!

 

[M4travels]

This is my most favorite hotel of all the DL hotels. Cost is what gets in the way of staying there on a regular basis. The hotel is based on the craftman sytle Lodge up in Yosemite (have never been there myself) and once you walk in the doors you just sort of go, "wow." Cast members at the hotel are wonderful. The Hearthstone Lounge is the perfect place to go and relax when a day in the park gets a bit out of hand. There are 2 pools that are very nice (though packed in a small space - some may not care for that.).

The on-site restaurant, The Napa Rose, has an open kitchen. I've never had a bad meal there (once again, yeah, it's pricey, but SPLURGE!!!!!!) though some do think it's a bit over the top.

You can get various views from your room; park, Downtown Disney, parking lot (not one of my favorites). The Concierge Level (6th floor) is supposed to be quite nice. There are activities and goodies available that go on from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. for all members of the family up there.

The Eureka Spa and Fitness Center is small, but good! Small workout area for cardio and there are free weights available. The changing rooms have both steam rooms and saunas. Not much need for a sauna in the middle of the summer for most folks, but when you're originally from the U.P. of Michigan there is NO bad time for a sauna!

And in California Adventure, right outside your hotel entrance, you must go to the Vineyard Room and have dinner (Fri/Sat/Sun nights). A prie fixe menu with or without wine pairings. DO IT!! Ask for Mark to be your waiter. Make sure you ask Javier to fix a martini for you (the Vineyard at Dusk is mighty tasty!). When Chad comes out of the kitchen, chat him up; a most excellent executive chef who loves what he does! I'd tell you talk to Teri, front of house, but she moved to days and, while we miss her, she can spend some time with her family!

I can't wait until 1:00 Friday afternoon when I kick the ashes from my feet (yeah, the fires are pretty close right now) and jump on the freeway to head to the park. Another great weekend is gonna happen.
*********

Now, to get back on the topic of the Wonder and January 22nd....
Pirate costumes have been ordered and the suitcases have been pulled out to begin the packing (yeah, I know.... we've got 4 months before we sail!!!!), final payments made, dreams of calm seas and copious amounts of food and drink take over every evening. We are so looking forward to this cruise.

Thanks for putting up with my ramblings.
Michael

 

[AlvaroLuis]

I can't wait until 1:00 Friday afternoon when I kick the ashes from my feet (yeah, the fires are pretty close right now) and jump on the freeway to head to the park. Another great weekend is gonna happen.
*********

Now, to get back on the topic of the Wonder and January 22nd....
Pirate costumes have been ordered and the suitcases have been pulled out to begin the packing (yeah, I know.... we've got 4 months before we sail!!!!), final payments made, dreams of calm seas and copious amounts of food and drink take over every evening. We are so looking forward to this cruise.

Thanks for putting up with my ramblings.
Michael

Oh my..... Michael.. you DO know your DisneyLand!!!

We are planning a trip to DL for next year (September) for the first DL Half Marathon. I haven't been to DL in 20 years... has anything changed?

Will add you to my "DL buddy" list... if you don't mind to answer questions about DL....LOL...

 

[Tahoe]

Thanks, Michael, for describing the Grand Californian! I'm exhausted from our trip there, and these Santa Anas have my allergies going haywire--so my description would've been much less detailed.

We had a wonderful weekend with perfect weather, unlike now. And the best thing was that lines for ANY ride were no more than a 10 minute wait. We like the Grand Californian mostly because it's right where the action is and close to everything. I think, however, that I am getting a little tired of the pools, and I would really like to try the Disneyland Hotel pools, but it's quite a hike out there, esp if you have a room in a side tower. So we stay at the GC. We have never stayed for more than $179 a night--I check often on expedia and travelocity, but the deals this year have been few and far between.

I definitely wasn't impressed with the Storyteller's Cafe character breakfast this time. I would've been disapointed if we were there specifically for the characters--we just needed breakfast. We have heard good things about the Lilo and Stitch breakfast at the Paradise Pier and the one at Goofy's Kitchen. We will do one of those next time.

I'm usually not one for change and development in So. Cal., but this "new" Disneyland with Downtown Disney and California Adventure is a great improvement and experience over the Disneyland of yesteryear. And there's nothing like Disneyland at night! It was just beautiful.

WeLuvDCL--Thank you for the Song airlines recommendation. I really wish we could fly with them (because they seem like an out of the ordinary airline--organic food--wow!), but after checking it out, there's really no way to do it inexpensively enough. We must fly out of San Diego. That 2 hr. drive to LAX is just too long and unpredictable. And a flight from San Diego to LAX would add too much to the tickets. There is no way to get from here to Orlando without stopping over, so we've decided that we'll have to fly through Dallas/Ft. Worth (don't even want to chance any other airport north of that in January!!). I'm going to buy the tickets tonight.

Now, on a sad note....my DD will not be Tinkerbell afterall. So Michael, you'll now have to try to upstage a pirate princess! DH and DS are game, too, for full pirate garb. We are really excited!

It's getting closer--I just bought a new set of luggage today in anticipation!

Now I've rambled on... sorry! Have a great weekend everyone!

Karin

 

[M4travels]

Originally posted by AlvaroLuis:

Oh my..... Michael.. you DO know your DisneyLand!!!

We are planning a trip to DL for next year (September) for the first DL Half Marathon. I haven't been to DL in 20 years... has anything changed?

Will add you to my "DL buddy" list... if you don't mind to answer questions about DL....LOL...

Yes, yes, yes... add away! Maybe special events could be planned!

Actually, I don't know as much about DL as I'd like. I think that's why we're down there a couple times a month. There is ALWAYS something new to explore!

Originally posted by Tahoe:

Now, on a sad note....my DD will not be Tinkerbell afterall. So Michael, you'll now have to try to upstage a pirate princess! DH and DS are game, too, for full pirate garb. We are really excited!

Arrgh, matey-ette! Dontcha even be tinking about messing up my entrance to dinner! These 2 pirates will cut ya down faster than you can say, Where's Jack Sparrow!
Remember this and remember it well: San Diego ain't that far from Los Angeles. I can track ya down and ya won't even know it's me! Arrgh...

Mikey

 

[MelissaE1]

Hey Michael,

Thanks for taking the time to give me all that info. I do believe I'll be printing that page out and filing it for a future trip home. It sounds wonderful. It also sounds like I'll have to wait until my kids move away from home to afford it.

Anyone have any plans for Nassau? Michelle and I have been there once before (on our "inaugural" girlfriends' cruise) and we just wandered around and looked at buildings, the pirate museum shop, and some stores, then went back to the ship. Probably we'll do that again -- my main goal is to get some more honey... got some wonderful stuff there last time. Mmmmm. Anyone hear anything great about any particular excursion or any point of interest not to be missed?

 

[dzneprincess]

HI guys! Way quiet thread! No more! Now that I am here! HAHA We just returned from the Wonder 2 weeks ago, and I rebooked on board for this cruise. It was supposed to just be my and my oldest DS CJ (10). However, my DH decided that he really wants his mom to go with us, and by the way might as well bring DS Nate (2). So, yes I am a bad mom, and I am leaving behind DS Max (6) and DD Taylor (9)......but dont feel bad for them. They have all had their "Mom and me" trip time this year. Plus, we are sailing as a family on the Magic for the double scoop in May! So, here we are. I hope you don't mind having a blabbermouth on your thread

 

[kellib36]

I hope you don't mind having a blabbermouth on your thread

Hi there, and welcome! I think I'll be able to be a bit more vocal now, too, as I finally bit the bullet and paid $350 (a piece) for our airfare....flying out of Denver SUCKS!!! All I can hope for is a sudden fare war I can take advantage of and get a voucher for the future! I kept hoping the price would go down, but with Katrina and all, I didn't want to tempt fate any longer!!

But now I can say we really ARE going, and can get excited about it! Now its real. I'm going to have to go back and read the thread from the beginning, just to remember who all is going and what all is already planned! I plan on bringing the leftover glow bracelets/necklaces from our May cruise, maybe we can get together on Pirate night and I won't have to bring them home again!!! They've traveled the world and home again once, hope it doesn't happen again!

Anyone wanna chime in? Has teh roll been updated lately? I'm going to read the thread now so I don't say anything stupid...hahaha! Yeah, me, not say something stupid..... TTFN!

 

[Tahoe]

Welcome Dnzeprincess and welcome officially Kelli! I have been meaning to write and let everyone know what a fun group you are! Getting the "reply to post" in my e-mail always brings a smile to my face.

Melissa, since we're first timers to Nassau, we're doing the dolphin encounter. Our instinct was to stay on the ship, but we do need to explore a bit on our first cruise. This excursion seemed the best suited to our family.

I know many of you are veteran DCL cruisers, but I wanted to pass on an article about Castaway Cay that I originally found on the DIS board a few months ago. It's an interesting look at the history of Gorda Cay (now CC). http://outside.away.com/outside/magazine/0199/9901blackbeard.html

And lastly, the only reservation I have left to make is a limo service to pick us up from the Port and take us to MCO. Do any of you veterans have a preference? Southern Elegance, Tiffany Towncar, Happy Limo?? Others?? Reliability is more important than price.

Until next time,
Karin

 

[kellib36]

Hey, Tahoe!! Yes, that article is VERY interesting!!! I printed it out before our May '04 cruise, and had everyone read it. Keith really thought it showed the "not so magical" side of the Disney Corp. A side we don't see very often, thankfully!! I was really feeling bad for the guy, and was really hoping he got to sneak away and find some great family momento!

We usually just rent a car in Florida, but I did book Tiffany in Sept '03. Wasn't especially pleased with them...wasn't what I expected, but it got us to where we needed to go. Nothing bad, just not what I'd expected, could have been me and my preconceived ideas!

 

[dzneprincess]

Hi there, and welcome! I think I'll be able to be a bit more vocal now, too, as I finally bit the bullet and paid $350 (a piece) for our airfare....flying out of Denver SUCKS!!! All I can hope for is a sudden fare war I can take advantage of and get a voucher for the future! I kept hoping the price would go down, but with Katrina and all, I didn't want to tempt fate any longer!!

But now I can say we really ARE going, and can get excited about it! Now its real. I'm going to have to go back and read the thread from the beginning, just to remember who all is going and what all is already planned! I plan on bringing the leftover glow bracelets/necklaces from our May cruise, maybe we can get together on Pirate night and I won't have to bring them home again!!! They've traveled the world and home again once, hope it doesn't happen again!

Anyone wanna chime in? Has teh roll been updated lately? I'm going to read the thread now so I don't say anything stupid...hahaha! Yeah, me, not say something stupid..... TTFN!

Thanks for the welcome Kelli! I am soo jealous of yall that got to go on the repo cruise! No fair! HAHA

 

[dzneprincess]

Welcome Dnzeprincess and welcome officially Kelli! I have been meaning to write and let everyone know what a fun group you are! Getting the "reply to post" in my e-mail always brings a smile to my face.

Melissa, since we're first timers to Nassau, we're doing the dolphin encounter. Our instinct was to stay on the ship, but we do need to explore a bit on our first cruise. This excursion seemed the best suited to our family.

I know many of you are veteran DCL cruisers, but I wanted to pass on an article about Castaway Cay that I originally found on the DIS board a few months ago. It's an interesting look at the history of Gorda Cay (now CC). http://outside.away.com/outside/magazine/0199/9901blackbeard.html

And lastly, the only reservation I have left to make is a limo service to pick us up from the Port and take us to MCO. Do any of you veterans have a preference? Southern Elegance, Tiffany Towncar, Happy Limo?? Others?? Reliability is more important than price.

Until next time,
Karin

Karin,
Thank yo for that link, I just skimmed the article.Very interesting reading. How neat to be able to say that you spent the summers on Gorda Cay aka Castaway Cay...

 

[kellib36]

Thanks for the welcome Kelli! I am soo jealous of yall that got to go on the repo cruise! No fair! HAHA

The repo cruise was SO great for SO many reasons, but it did take me 2 months to recover from it!! We were gone from home for 3 full weeks, neither one of us wanted to leave again for a while....not to mention the dogs...every time we moved toward the door, they were right there giving us "that" puppy dog look...."you're not LEAVING are you"?!?!? VERRRY long summer this year!

We met great people and saw new places, and my 84yo mil had a blast! It was ALL worth it to take her with us! She lives 1100 miles from us, so 3 weeks with her doesn't ever happen!

 

[MelissaE1]

Wow, where have I been? This thread is hoppin'!

Let's see... we have Kelli from the famous repo thread, and dzneprincess from the long thread name with "blabbermouth" in it (lol) and Alvaro of Panama fame... we almost don't need Mickey on this cruise!

Karin, thanks for the link. I had read it before a few years ago and totally forgotten about it. I enjoyed the re-read. Also would love to hear what you think about the Dolphin encounter in case my kids ever get to go on a 4-day. I'll be cruising the Magic with them (in less than two weeks!) but I'm leaving them behind for my Wonder cruise. Am I rotten, or what?

 

[kellib36]

... we almost don't need Mickey on this cruise!

SACRILEGE!!!!!!!!

 

[MelissaE1]

SACRILEGE!!!!!!!!

Well, I did say "almost"...

 

[mrsv98]

We will be there...hooray! DH, DD (5yo) and myself. Now for the real surprise...DH thinks we booked a cat 6...well, I have saved all my nickles and dimes and now we have a cat 3! WOO HOO! I just hope I can keep the secret until we check-in.