10-14-2006 Cruisetoberfest IV

[wendym]

No more e nights but they have extra magic hours in the morning and evening if you stay on site. Different parks on different nights. We really enjoyed MK being open till 2am but I have heard other parks get really busy. I did like the fact you didn't have to pay extra for them.
Colleen - yes that's the tigger! I couldn't find him.
At the food and wine there are free cookery demonstrations as well as the wine tastings. You get a booklet as you enter Epcot which details them all. I think there was even a free whisky tasting one year too. You have to be in line early for those things - locals come for the day on the bus so they can go to as many as possible!
Off to see my two great nieces - hope they have some new toys to play with apart from the ones we have for them of course!
Wendy

 

[cdnmickeylover]

Anyone going to be a WDW October 6, 7, or 8? Going to F&WF (just what a diabetic needs ), MNSSHP, and hopefully, on a safari. We will be there after the Oct. 2, 4 nite Wonder.
Allen

I hear you about a diabetic going to the Food & Wine Festival but they are small portions and not everything is sweet.

We will be at WDW Oct 1-10 so will be there while you are although we are doing MNSSHP on the 2nd.

The F&WF is interesting. The samples are fairly small although we tend to share them just so that we can sample more. We usually spend an afternoon walking around eating. One suggestion is to have small bills available to pay as the samples are $1-5 and it's much faster to pay cash than use your KTTW card (I think you can use it). This year there's a peanut farmer demonstration that we'd like to attend that's free. We are into free here.

Must go and get ready for work -- at least it's almost Friday!

Fiona

 

[jeanniec]

Nancy -- We also went to MNSSHP two years ago, and I would not go again. Long lines for candy and photos and the MK was so dark that we were stumbling around. Lots of us going to the World in October. We will be at BCV 10/16 - 10/21.

Colleen -- Definitely agree with you regarding grandchildren. We have one and he is sweet -- not much trouble at at all since he is 6 and pretty much occupies himself, but it is nice not to have him around 24/7. Never knew there were cranberry pills.

Alllen -- Hope you have a great time on the Wonder. We did this past June. Even tho the cruise is short, it is basically the same "wonder"ful ship.

Wendy -- I did not go to extra magic hours when we were at WDW in June. I volunteered to take our DGS back to our BW villa. The kids (30 & 34) did go and they said all the parks (including MK) were horribly crowded in those extra hours. Of course, that was during summer vacation time so I am hoping for fewer crowds in October.

 

[JJsmama]

Hi everybody. I'm still around. I have really cut my computer time down since it can become addictive and such a waste of time. That's why I haven't posted --not because I am not excited about the cruise with you all.

I do have to say though: I'm starting to get cold feet about this cruise. I booked it because I was very excited about the 2X CC. However, I really don't like Mexico at all. My family and I were victims of that corrupt society last time we were there and had to cut our trip short and come home. This doesn't make me excited about going back. Plus, I have not yet decided what we'll do there. I'd like my kids to see the Mayan ruins but from what I have read, it takes hours to get there and back. Plus the bugs and malaria and bad water....

I'm not trying to be a downer. Can anyone help me feel better about it? What have you all planned to do in those ports?

 

[wendym]

JJsmama I know a lot of people feel like you about Mexico but I'll be honest and say we love it. Maybe it's because it's just Mum and I but we only get hassled by the young children and some beachside vendors and a polite no thank you and they go. In Cozumel we go to Mr Sanchos beach - been there twice and even though they overcharged us with the food (we got this refunded and more with a huge apology) we would go back. Never been to Costa Maya but it looks nice. We did the West Coast this year and enjoyed all three ports and both said how friendly we found everybody. Yes we are careful about what we eat and drink but no more than we are anywhere else. Jeanneg's family did Tulum one year - I would love to do it but not sure if I would take children just because of the long journey - Jeanne will be able to give you more details.
To be honest I go for the ship and the people we meet - we get off at the ports and have fun but could quite happily just stay on the ship!
Hope this helps a little.
There's also free beer tastings at the F&W - in America and in the Rose and Crown garden - they were fun! Also milked a pretend cow, got free cheese and honey smaples. Great kids activities too.
Wendy

 

[Viking]

Thanks for the info, Wendy.
We'll stay on-site most probably. We stayed off-site in 2003 and it sucked. As far as I know parking is free at the parks for resort guests. So we will mainly use our car to get to one park and then use WDW transportation for the hopping. We may only use Disney busses when we go to DD/PI at night

JJsmama,
we did a wonderful snorkel/SCUBA-excursion on Cozumel last time, which was booked by the Twins using the internet. And as soon as the cruise draws closer you will see that many of us start scouting the web for good deals without having to use DCL. During the last Cruisetoberfests we always had many volunteers taking over the responsibility for certain excursions, bundling the reservations, and taking care of everything.

We did for example:
-A ScavengerHunt on Key West
-An Ecotour on Antigua
-Scuba-diving/snorkeling on St Thomas
-and many more

You have to realize that with a group of more than 100 people you will always find someone sharing your interests - and even more important: With a group that size we have 'Purchasing Power' We can take over complete dive bases, boat-tours, you name it!!!

 

[wendym]

Eric - parking is still free for resort guests. The only park we avoid using the car for is the MK as in the heat the extra ferry/monorail is too much for mum at times - for her the only way to go is valet parking at the resorts. She only discovered this late in life but is more than making up for it!
Wendy

 

[JJsmama]

Thanks. As the cruise gets closer, I'll be eager to discover what everyone's plans are for those ports and will love the benefit of your collective experience.

I forgot to add: In a few days, my status changes officially. After seven years of being an 'at-home-mom', I'll go back to being a 'teacher'--another reason I haven't been hanging out on the boards. I've been planning.

Do we have that Kid's List anymore? I'd be interested to know if there are any other kids the ages of mine (5 and 7 at cruise time.)

On a good note: My Dh, who was not thrilled when I paid $1000 for this cruise 18 months in advance, is now starting to talk about, read about and get excited about it. Phew! That takes the pressure off!

Jennifer

 

[padisneyfan]

I love Cozumel, and have been there 4 times. DH and DS#1 did the Tulcum ruins (down side is the ferry ride), DS#2 and I did a beach and dunny buggy trip, also have done Chankanaab Park which is a great place to go with children as you can just take a taxi there and is $10 to get into the park. Of course not to be missed is Carlos and Charlies or Senor Frogs for the adults. Now if I could just remember leaving those places.

Here is a website about Cozume attractions

http://www.virtual-showcase.com/llc/isla/cozumel.html


We did the Sam Adams beer tasting. Some interesting beer that they had. At F&WF, I love to just walk around and do all the samples, but always need to have the Ireland Potato Soup and Canada Bacon and Cheddar soup. Was it the Mickey Monitor that had the receipe, like I'm going to do that. We always go to the concerts. The Miracles (Without Smokey) and Chubby Checker are there. I didn't realize that annual pass could get a discount for the MNSSHP, is that new? Everyone is going before us so save some food for me.

When we go in Dec I'm not sure we are even going to do MVMCP, last year they cut back on some of the things (no pins, pictures not as nice) plus all the shows were the same.

We did the last night in the parks in May. The only park that was a problem was Epcot. There were fewer rides open and very long lines. I know alot of people have been complaining about MK, but when we were there it was almost like an E-night. No lines. Will try it again in Oct. We did not do the AK last nite, has anyone done that one.

Nancy

 

[Sarah'sMomfrom PA]

Nancy...did you like the ending of AR3...I cheated and looked on the website to see who won but I didn't remember that Terri and Ian and the two brothers made it into the final 3....I loved when Ian said to Terri...don't talk to me that way....hello...I would have wacked him on the head and somewhere else after the first episode!! Really liked the two brothers and would have liked to see them win....I liked Zach but Flo was just too high maintenance and what a whiner!! I was sick of listening to her. Taking a break from AR4...I am having Sam tape it for me...tying up too many nights having to catch the 9:00 pm show.

Two more weeks until school starts here....we don't start until after Labor Day and this should be the first year since we are in this school district that Sarah won't be missing any time due to vacations....that's ok because then I will hit them the following September that she will be out 9 days!!

Weather has been beautiful here....nice breeze and 80 degrees..perfect!!

Love the Incredibles picture Michelle....thanks Wendy for telling us how to put the avatar up...I am computer challenged but was able to do it....Mary Jo

 

[jeanneg]

Yes, I did the Tulum tour in '04. The journey was hot and long and I have to agree the ride on the ferryboat made several people sick. That said, I am still very glad we did it. It's one of those opportunities that don't come along all that often and I found it very interesting. The ruins were not as large as I had expected and they do not allow you to climb the main temple, but it was still fascinatinating to me. You really have to decide for yourself if it's something you would enjoy doing and if your kids can handle it. For part of the excursion, we spent time at the beach there and it was very nice. We also got to see those aerial performers that spin from the high pole and that was extremely interesting. There was a grown man on our trip who constantly complained that the trip was "so boring" and I agree it might be for young children but we really enjoyed it. Our tour guide was very friendly and informative. We didn't encounter any beggars along the way either.
When we returned, John and I made a brief stop into Carlos and Charlies for a margarita but that was it. I am looking forward to going there this time around with lots of fellow cruisers. I have never had a tequila shot and want my first to be with you guys!

 

[JJsmama]

Nancy,
Thanks for the website and ideas for Cozumel. Chankanaab park does sound like a great idea for my family. Dh and the boys will love trekking around the jungle and seeing the mayan sites (be it real or re-created) and we can swim, etc. I like the idea that it is not too far from the ship too. I'm feeling better already.

 

[jeanneg]

That Chankanaab Park sounds interesting to me also. Do you need to take the ferry for that trip as well? (I know you need to for Playa Carmen.) It also sounds like it will allow me some time to live it up at C&C. I'm treating Doreen to a tequila shot! Maybe as the time gets closer we can arrange our own excursion there if others are interested.

 

[cdnmickeylover]

We did the Tulum ruins in 03 and really enjoyed it although if I went again I'd take a snack with me. Was really starving by the time we got lunch. We won't be doing this again though so are up for other options.

Question about AR -- Zach and Flo -- did they win and was she the one that was in a boat thingie someplace and wanted to quit the race entirely? She whined about everything? Trying to place her and if she's the one I'm thinking about I was most disappointed when they won -- liked him but her -- he should have left her someplace along the way!

When we were at WDW in February we did the night time extra hours at MK and Animal Kingdom. MK was great as it wasn't crowded at all -- could have been the rain earlier though and everyone left as we were at MGM waiting for fantasmic which was rained out -- went back to POP and changed and then went to MK which was almost empty. We also did AK which was ok as we saw the Lion King show. It was also really interesting walking around the park as the lights came on. One tree was totally covered with white birds who were retiring for the night.

Back to work.

Fiona

 

[Viking]

Jennifer,
to get a copy of the Kids' List you want to contact my fellow listkeeper Chiara, the address is cruistoberkids@yahoo.com

Jeanne,
you have to try a Teqila Bang Bang: Yout take a shotglass, fill it 50/50 with tequila and champagne to the brim, cover it with a coaster, bag it twice onto the bar, remove the coaster very quickly, and down it in one big gulp The champagne starts to foam immediately and virtually 'shoots' the alcohol right into your system
I don't know if they serve it in Mexico, but in Germany this was a very popular drink in the late 80ies/early 90ies. Some bars simply called it 'Turbo'

Wendy,
thanks for the info about the parking. We like the heat and after Thailand in April we consider Florida in September/October as a good place to cool down. And we ALWAYS go into MK using the Ferryboat. For us it's kind of a tradition. It's such a great feeling to stand in front of the bridge and see MK getting bigger and bigger. Another tradition we have is that we at least once ride in the nose of the Monorail. And not to forget: Our traditional Norwegian cake at the Kringla Bakery.
We also used to be fans of ToT, but when we arrived at WDW four days after 9/11/01 we just couldn't do it with the picture of the collapsing towers so fresh on our minds. And somehow we didn't do it in '03 either, but I guess we'll do it again in '06 - Although we don't intend to break our record of doing it three times in a row in less than an hour

OK, gotta watch two episodes of The O.C. now - our favourite series for teh time being.

 

[padisneyfan]

Nancy...did you like the ending of AR3...I cheated and looked on the website to see who won but I didn't remember that Terri and Ian and the two brothers made it into the final 3....I loved when Ian said to Terri...don't talk to me that way....hello...I would have wacked him on the head and somewhere else after the first episode!! Really liked the two brothers and would have liked to see them win....I liked Zach but Flo was just too high maintenance and what a whiner!! I was sick of listening to her. Taking a break from AR4...I am having Sam tape it for me...tying up too many nights having to catch the 9:00 pm show.

Two more weeks until school starts here....we don't start until after Labor Day and this should be the first year since we are in this school district that Sarah won't be missing any time due to vacations....that's ok because then I will hit them the following September that she will be out 9 days!!

Weather has been beautiful here....nice breeze and 80 degrees..perfect!!

Love the Incredibles picture Michelle....thanks Wendy for telling us how to put the avatar up...I am computer challenged but was able to do it....Mary Jo

I had keep wondering why so many people were complaining about Flo since I found Ian to be so irritating. Well, those last 4 legs of the race with her multiple meltdowns made me completely understand what all the Flo fuss was about. Zack was much more tolerated than anyone else could have even been with her. How he managed to keep his cool and nearly drag her from one spot to the next is beyond me. I enjoyed when one of the brothers actually said something to her about it being to early in the morning to be whining. Zack deserved to have all the money as he did all the work. I just started to watch AR4 which is the last one I have not seen. Plus there is a GSN marathon for season 1 over Labor Day, but I am not going to sit and watch that one again right now.


Chankanaab Park is right in Cozumel about a 10 minute taxi ride. You can do mutliple things there including swimming with the dolphins. In fact it is cheaper to make those arrangement yourself than do an excursion there. When Norm and I went we did the tour around the gardens and the replica ruins and went to the sea lion show. It was a fun day we didn't even go swimming. We got back into town, had late lunch at C&C, shopped, went back to ship to shower and change and then went back to C&C. Since the Magic stays in port a long time in Cozumel it does give you time to do alot of things. The other cruises when we stopped at Cozumel the lastest we stayed was 8pm with RCCL. Carnival leaves really early 4pm. The nice thing with were we dock is that C&C is right there so you can just stagger back to the ship. You can also be entertained by the people who miss their ships. I just think C&C is a fun place even if you don't drink much it is entertaining to watch the people. Sort of like that Toby Keith song "What happens in Mexico, stays in Mexico." It is a great video.

Toby Keith - Stays In Mexico Lyrics

His name was Steve,
Her name was Gina,
(spoken) You've never been here before have you?
They met at a bar called Cowboy Outcove Cantena,
He was a salesman from South Dakota,
She was a first grade school teacher Pheonix Arizona,
(Spoken) No, My first time here
They started dancing and it got real hot,
Then it spilled over to the parking lot,
One more tequila then we're falling in love,
One night together in Love

(Chorus)
Don't bite off more than you can chew,
There's things down here the devil himself wouldn't do,
Just remember when you let it all go,
What happens in Mexico,
Stays in Mexico

He woke up in the morning and he made a little tellephone call,
To check on his wife and his kids back at home in Souix Falls,
She hopped right in the shower with a heavy heavy mind,
(spoken) What am I doing?
He knew it was the first time Geena had ever crossed that line,
They walked down to the beach and started drinking again,
Jumped into the ocean for a dirty swim,
One more margarita then we're falling in love,
One night together in love

(Chorus)
Don't bite off more than you can chew,
There's things down here the devil himself wouldn't do,
Just remember when you let it all go,
What happens in Mexico,
Stays in Mexico

Oh Mexico

Waiting at the bar at the terminal gate,
She says 'Steve I gotta go, I'm going to miss my plane'
He said one more tequila before you climb on up,
She said more night together in love

(Chorus)
Don't bite off more than you can chew,
There's things down here the devil himself wouldn't do,
Just remember when you let it all go,
What happens in Mexico,
Stays in Mexico

Stays in Mexico,
Stays in Mexico,
Stays in Mexico,
Oh Mexico


Nancy

 

[padisneyfan]

Just noticed I now have over 1000 posts.

Fionna-- You are correct about Flo. The one detour was the teacup boats that she wouldn't row and then they went to the bike with the baskets and she wouldn't do that either. So back to the teacup boats, Zack paid someone to row them across. I think in that one leg of the race she most have said a dozen times she was quitting. In fact the last 3 legs that all she keep saying. I would have duck taped her mouth shut, rolled her in a ball and stuffed her in the backpack. He was already carrying hers anyway along with dragging her across the world. Putting her in the backpack would have been the perfect solution to not having to listen to her, but still finishing the race. I was glad Zack at least won.

Nancy

 

[Viking]

Congrats on crossing the border into 4-Digit-Land, Nancy

 

[JJsmama]

Jeanne,
you have to try a Teqila Bang Bang: Yout take a shotglass, fill it 50/50 with tequila and champagne to the brim, cover it with a coaster, bag it twice onto the bar, remove the coaster very quickly, and down it in one big gulp The champagne starts to foam immediately and virtually 'shoots' the alcohol right into your system

Eric, don't you like Jeanne? It sounds like you are trying to kill her.

 

[wendym]

Jeanne - you will be responsible for getting Doreen back on the ship then!!! We have yet to make it to C&C but think this time we will be there.
Eric - I also love the ferryboat ride but if the choice is going there or not I will go with what mum wants - a lot is psychological about the distance but if I am half as good as her at that age I will be happy. Oh and we can beat your record on Tower of Terror - 4 times in 1 hour at both MGM and disneyland!
I also loved the AK after hours, it was cooler and slightly less crowded. However the safari closed very early.
Wendy