11/14/09 - Special Western - 2 CC stops

[sandiegosusie]

Has anyone noticed that car rentals are sky high? I reserved a while ago, but still check from time to time...even with discount codes they are high! Post if you get a deal please!

We are taking ME to WDW from MCO on Wednesday, Nov. 11. Picking up a car from Budget in DTD on Friday. Turning it in at the Port on Saturday. Needed the car for a grocery stop on the way to the port for sure...paying around $88 with taxes and fees. Not horrible but I have done much better in the past. The return car rental is over $90 for a few hours. Haven't decided what to do before our 2 p.m. flight. Maybe DTD. Wish we were extending the trip again after the cruise!

 

[glindamood]

Has anyone noticed that car rentals are sky high? I reserved a while ago, but still check from time to time...even with discount codes they are high! Post if you get a deal please!

We are taking ME to WDW from MCO on Wednesday, Nov. 11. Picking up a car from Budget in DTD on Friday. Turning it in at the Port on Saturday. Needed the car for a grocery stop on the way to the port for sure...paying around $88 with taxes and fees. Not horrible but I have done much better in the past. The return car rental is over $90 for a few hours. Haven't decided what to do before our 2 p.m. flight. Maybe DTD. Wish we were extending the trip again after the cruise!

Did you look at Avis? I have had better luck with Avis than with Budget - up to this point anyway. I just used the codes of Mousesavers.

 

[sandiegosusie]

Gail,
Is there an Avis onsite? I have had good luck with Budget in the past. Maybe a good code will come out.

 

[Irish Belle]

Sorry haven't posted in awhile. Work is so busy.


Congrats to Hypermom on the new job.

Hi to all the new folks

And yes, I did give xxcell a piece of my mind for the Stairmaster remark, don't think he will be making any comment like that again

Been hitting the stairaster as much as possible, but it just doesn't seem to work as good or fast as in the TV ads
I've got 66 days to go, so hopefully that will do the trick


Oh well, gonna replace what I lose anyway on the cruise.
I could go for a custom made omelet right now

So 66 days to go and

 

[Irish Belle]

Oh yeah, I told xxcell that if he makes any more smart alek remarks he will be
looking for a pickup from a Carnival ship on the way to Castaway.

 

[glindamood]

Gail,
Is there an Avis onsite? I have had good luck with Budget in the past. Maybe a good code will come out.

Avis is at the Hilton that is by DTD and has a free shuttle to the port in Cocoa Beach. I generally try both Budget and Avis and take the one that is less expensive (cheaper just doesn't apply anymore). Budget is doing that pay now thing to get better rates but I am not so trusting that I will actually end up with what I paid for - more would be OK but less, not so much.

 

[Hypermommy]

Howdy all! First week of work was great! I love the people and I know I'm going to love the job too. Hated the long drive home ... wasn't too bad...about 4 hours. But it's gonna get old quickly, I'm sure. But it was so worth it because when I got home and saw my babies I just held them for a while (trying not to cry). I know KC and EM#1 love to tell me "we ain't got no babies" but they'll always be my babies!!!!

Denise - I guess I won't feel too much like a slacker mom. This will be DS's 3rd 7 day cruise THIS YEAR! The kid will have logged 21 days at sea between his 3rd and 4th birthdays (with 3 days at Castaway Cay).

OMG!!!! What a year!

Why doesn't Mickey offer us a deal like that?

I think it's King Charming's fault... he keeps ticking the Mickster off.

Hypermommy I need your help. I don't know how to pm. It also took me awhile to get back to this web site.
Frances

I didn't get a PM from you but I see that I got some other kind of message. I'll have to check them in a bit. I always come to this thread first and then go check PMs. You do need 10 posts before you can PM, though. If you need to get ahold of me for something feel free to email me at hypermommy AT comcast DOT net.

Sorry haven't posted in awhile. Work is so busy.

Don'tcha just hate it when real life gets in the way of the important things? Thanks for the congrats. And its sounds like you're in the same boat with exxcell as I am with KC. I think we need to have a little sub-meet at the DISmeet to brainstorm ways to make the boys behave, huh?

Okay... I'm off to gather and post numbers. Didn't get to it yesterday. Didn't get to much yesterday... mostly slept.

 

[glindamood]

Welcome home Denise. Glad you had a safe drive back and got caught up on your hugs with the boys (and that includes you KC) - we don't ever seem to get enough of those do we? Doesn't change when they get older and are out of their own either. It also sounds like you had a few naps - they are pretty great as well. ENJOY your time with your family this weekend.

Quiet day here - everyone is gone, either camping or playing soccer in Indiana so just stink-pot and me. Maybe it is time to try and wash that face again. I will check in later.

 

[Hypermommy]

Families
36 points of contact (i.e., Dissers)

Adults = 96
Males = 46
Females = 51

Flounders Nursery (ages 0-2)
Male = 4
Female = 2

Oceaneer Club Kids (ages 3-7)
Male = 6
Female = 8

Oceaneer Lab Kids (ages 8-10)
Male = 11
Female = 13

OceanQuest (ages 11-13)
Male = 2
Female = 5

The Stack (14-17)
Male = 5
Female = 2

Dining
Early = 35
Late = 13

Dressing for pirate nite? 36 staterooms

Fish Exchange
Total Cabins = 35
Adults = 52
Kids = 36
Teens= 7
Cabins with no adult/kid listings yet = 2
(these are mommykeg and txttwins2000.... anyone else know anything about their plans?)


Dismeet on Sat
27 points of contact said someone from their group would be there

Secret Mickey Participants - 15

Folks listed for IM contact - 6

Excursions (numbers are by point of contact)

Grand Cayman

• Boatswain's Bay (Turtle Farm) - 2
• Captain Bryan's Buccaneer snorkel tour - 1
• Captain Marvin's Stingray City half day - 1
• Island tour--turtle farm & Hell - 1
• Pirate Expedition - 1
• Rays, Reef and Rum Point - 4
• Shipwreck and Reef Snorkeling - 3
• Sting Ray City - 1

Cozumel

• 3 Reef Snorkel - 1
• Adventure Park, Zip Line & Snorkel Combo - 3
• Aqua Adventure scuba dive - 2
• Chankanaab - 1
• Cozumel Beach Break at Nachi Cocom - 1
• Dolphin Encounter - 4
• Jeep Exploration - 1
• Jungle Hike - 1
• Royal Dolphin Swim - 4
• Tulum Ruins - 3

Castaway Cay Day 1

• Waverunner - 1
• Snorkeling - 1
• Serenity Bay - 2
• The Hammock Tour - 1
• The Wild Side - 2
• Getaway Package - 1

Castaway Cay Day 2

• Serenity Bay - 1
• Snorkeling - 1
• Stingrays - 1
• Parasailing - 1
• Waterski Adventure - 1

 

[Hypermommy]

Hi all,

Well, your Pixie Dusters have been working furiously behind the scenes to make this cruise even more magical for us (more magical than Mickey?! you ask.... yep, these girls can surely do it!). Here's an update on the events that these wonderful Pixie Dusters have been putting together.

By the way... I know I'm supposed to post cruise stuff in red. But the whole message is thoroughly cruise related so I'm breaking that rule (what, Hypermommy a rule breaker? Surely you didn't see that one coming, right? )

DisMeet (Saturday at 2pm - Promenade Lounge)

• The White Elephant was cancelled (replaced by the Secret Mickey).
• With 90+ adults and lots of kids, we will forego formal intros as they would take too long. But Becky and Michelle will organize getting the kids of the different age groups together to know each other and helping excursion mates find each other.
• We will take our own group picture as Shutters wanted an $80 sitting fee (!?!? Personally I think they're on crack!!!!)
• Becky will bring some nametags and sharpies but it sounds like most folks will have Elderfam's wonderful nametag lanyards

Secret Mickey (throughout the week - reveal at Lumiere's Luncheon)

• Y'all don't forget to sign up for the Secret Mickey if you plan to participate. There's a separate sheet for it in the workbook. Just look for the links at the bottom. If you have any trouble give me a holler.
• Cutoff for particpating is 10/20
• Pixie Duster Gail will be assigning names so you'll know who your Secret Mickey giftee is sometime after that and you can go to the spreadsheet and see what they like
• Gail added a column to the secret mickey - "Wish list" because sometimes knowing what people like by way of sports music or movies isn't sufficient to choose a good gift. So, what would you be happy to find in your secret mickey gift? be reasonable, ok? A million dollars and a pink corvette are probably NOT going to happen! (I personally hope to be assigned the guy that has the nerve to ask for a pink corvette ... I promise he'll get one! Matchbox car it'll be but I'll make a big production number of getting a pink corvette for any guy that asks for one! )

Lumiere's Luncheon and Secret Mickey Reveal (noon on Thursday)

• There are 2 columns (one for kids, one for adults) aaaaaaalllll the way to the right of the main spreadsheet page so you can sign up to attend.
• This isn't binding, of course (hey, we're on vacation, right?) but it'll help Gail to have a headcount
• We will meet in the Promenade Lounge at 11:45 on Thursday and proceed into Lumiere's together.

Palo Brunch

• Due to response and the limited space of the room this has been closed. Gail will be contacting those that will be participating in this via email.

Lanyards and MiniNavigators

• Cynthia is working on putting together lanyards for everyone
• Cynthia is also putting together mini-navigators for everyone (possibly with help from Michelle). This will help keep up with all the Double Dip Delight stuff going on and will include a Fish Extender grid, etc.
• I believe she got enough funds to cover the making of these, but Cynthia, let us know if I'm wrong.

Book/Magazine Exchange

• Just a reminder that Cynthia is organizing a book/magazine exchange. She'll be putting out more info on that later.

 

[xxcell]

Wow HM you are a busy bee!!!!
Thank you for all your hard work on this trip.


love the name
Sounds like a good name for a country band

HyperMom & the Pixie Dusters

 

[Bamfield]

Whew! That summary is something else! You folks do a wonderful job keeping everything straight!

I agree on the Hypermommy and the Pixie Dusters as a wonderful band name.

Well, my holiday weekend has been well spent. I finished my FE holder and the door magnets. If I ever figure out photobucket I will post a picture. Its not perfect but it will do. All that's left is the big pack job for the actual cruise.

On another subject, anyone feeling any guilt for taking the kids out of school? I just found out that my 5th grader will be missing his band and music concert. His homeroom teacher has been great about the trip saying that the kids learn just as much out of a class room which made me feel much better. I guess the most important thing is when I asked my son he said it was OK he would rather cruise.

 

[xxcell]

Need some DIS friends HELP


1 night Epcot vs Very Merry Xmas Party at MK(did it 2 x and loved it).Pre-Cruise.

We are in a 2v2 tie.


Anybody have an opinion

 

[sharen24]

Need some DIS friends HELP


1 night Epcot vs Very Merry Xmas Party at MK(did it 2 x and loved it).Pre-Cruise.

We are in a 2v2 tie.


Anybody have an opinion

LOL! I think you want me to vote for MVMCP, but I have never been, so I can't. I was thinking about going, but DH thinks it will be too crowded and has nixed the idea. Please help me convince him otherwise.

 

[glindamood]

MVMCP is a ticketed event so I would think they control the crowds - but I have no idea how many tickets are available either. It many not be too crowded so I would do that if it were me - the massive crowds start the week after we get off. I would have been doing that had it been the Friday night before.

Off topic - has anyone kept up with the Urgent post on the main board today? It made me cry - Shirley, Norm and DU are awesome.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2276891

 

[xxcell]

[QUOTE Off topic - has anyone kept up with the Urgent post on the main board today? It made me cry - Shirley, Norm and DU are awesome.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2276891[/QUOTE]

OMG,Those poor people, We will be praying for them!!!.

 

[Hypermommy]

HyperMom & the Pixie Dusters

Love the name!!!! What say, ladies? Perhaps a bit of kareoke is in order one night? With enough DoDs in us we won't care how we sound nor will our listeners!!!

I guess the most important thing is when I asked my son he said it was OK he would rather cruise.

Yeah, my kid is gonna be missing a canoeing trip with the troop. But he's okay with it. He just tells his buddies that they're going to be on tiny boats and he's gonna be on a big ship!!!

1 night Epcot vs Very Merry Xmas Party at MK(did it 2 x and loved it).Pre-Cruise.

Tough call... glad I don't have to make that decision. I guess I'd say do MVMCP before the cruise but then stop by Epcot for a bit after the cruise!

(what, you expected me to say something logical? This falls into that female logic category!)

Off topic - has anyone kept up with the Urgent post on the main board today? It made me cry - Shirley, Norm and DU are awesome.

Just read it. Wow!!!!!!!!

 

[sandiegosusie]

I was reading the urgent post: I was having stressed chest pain! Seriously, thought what I would do in that type of situation. I wanna know where her purse was stolen from in the hotel? If they caught the person. And what I can do so that it doesn't happen to me?

On another note: DH is working hard on our adult FE gifts. Do you think we will end up with 50 staterooms? We are at what, 38 or somewhere along those lines...how many is everyone else planning for?

 

[smye1stdisneycruise]

Hello fellow cruisers!

I saw on the spread sheet that there are two boys in the 11-13 group. We are travelling with friends who also have a son who is 11.(She doesn't do the disboard thing) Just wondering if either of those boys would consider talking with Luke through MSN? If yes, pm me and I can hopefully start a friendship pre-cruise!

 

[Hypermommy]

I was reading the urgent post: I was having stressed chest pain! Seriously, thought what I would do in that type of situation. I wanna know where her purse was stolen from in the hotel? If they caught the person. And what I can do so that it doesn't happen to me?

I think she got incredibly lucky that the purse was returned with the ID and passports in it. From what I could tell reading the thread it looked like everyone was trying to help her but the bottom line is that the rules about having a passport to get back into the USA are there for a reason and they're not going to be bent/broken.

I also think the thing to remember here is that while WDW is the most magical place on Earth, some people just don't get the magic. And worse yet, some want to get mine!

The only thing we can really do (IMO) to keep them from stealing our magic is all the same stuff we do at home... keep your hands on your purse... keep your eyes on your bags.... expect that someone out there just wants to ruin your day and guard against it. Sad state of affairs? Yes. But welcome to the world we live in.

It truly amazes me the way some people leave their brains at home when they go on vacation. Of course, most of the time it doesn't turn out as bad as this could have been and their stupidity is just an opportunity for people watchers such as myself to be entertained. (did I say that out loud? well, remember that I'mm not a nice person )