12/04/2010 Eastern MAGIC - CHIP 'N' DALE'S CRUISIN' NUTS

[Donald_Quackers]

Good to hear as well! I'm getting into my busy season, as students will be starting to come back to school and we'll be supporting them.

 

[gomagic]

Hey Gang, we are still here, just busy at work...

We are very happy, we just paid the cruise off on Friday.

 

[dwtraveler]

Just back from a trip to Boston. Boy, was it hot, just like home here in Fl. Had a great trip visiting with friends. Took the Duck tour and went to the beach. Glad to be back and into the cruise planning again...The only thing I don't like about Daytona Airport is when they cancel flights! DH travels every week and we have tried scheduling flights out of Daytona for his travel. I drop him off and several mornings I have gotten a call from him to right away come pick him up and drive him to Orlando because his flight was canceled at the last minute...uuugggg! It happend twice now to a friend of mine who was coming for a visit from North Carolina. We still like the airport but not sure I trust them when I really need to get somewhere.

 

[plutojudy]

We like Daytona Beach airport but never use it any more becasue we can't fly non-stop from Chicago. I HATE changing planes in Atlanta (delays). My son has had the cancelled flight problem from Daytona Beach, too. Which then makes him miss his connection in Atlanta. We fly into Orlando every September and drive to Daytona Beach. Less time wasted than on a lay over.

 

[taswira]

dwtraveler - That can happen at any airport. If I'm going to be stuck somewhere, I'd rather it be somewhere like DAB (even if I didn't live here) than a crowded, busy airport like MCO. Sure, there are more flights down there, but also more passengers and it only takes watching the local news to see the very unpleasant scene the Orlando airport often becomes. I do understand about your DH's business travel and yes, that's unfortunate. The only problems I've ever had departing Daytona were when the airport closed for severe lightning. I had the same problem when my hubby flew to Orlando from Idaho and they couldn't land in the storm. After holding they finally diverted to Jacksonville, sat there for two hours, then returned to MCO. I was down there 4 hours before he finally landed. Delays and cancellations can occur at any airport. The only time I ever choose MCO (on non-business travel) is when it's half the price of DAB, and that is sometimes the case. I usually book the earliest flight possible to avoid the "trickle-down effect" of cancellations.

 

[dwtraveler]

Been there also! Trouble is, there are so many more flights out of Orlando, DH can always get where he needs to go from there, whereas Daytona beach just doesn't have the ability and number of flights. It is a nice place to get to though and much closer to home. I think for the vacation traveler it is great, but the Orlando Airport is definitely better for the business traveler.

Orlando used to have the "Clear" card which allowed you to use the special security line. After going through the security background check, you got a card that allowed you to go through screaning really fast. It was wonderful but didn't last long only a couple of years, but I miss it. Really made the process much easier. They discontinued it right after I paid my renewal fee, then didn't even give refunds.

 

[taswira]

I heard they are bringing back that "clear" program. Not sure if in Orlando, but at various airports around the country.

I haven't perused the site, but check it out. They say "They're back!" http://www.flyclear.com/

 

[taswira]

Just noticed it said Denver, with Orlando coming Fall this year, and they will honor previous memberships.

 

[Magic3forme]

Shari: we are headed out to Yellowstone National Park this week via the Grand Canyon... I know one of our stops is Idaho!

 

[taswira]

Shari: we are headed out to Yellowstone National Park this week via the Grand Canyon... I know one of our stops is Idaho!

Sounds like you'll have a WONDERFUL time! I'd love to be out west instead of in the hot sauna humidity of Florida - lol. I don't think I'll be back in Idaho at all until late March or early April. Seems like a long time from now, but after our cruise it won't be long and will give me something else to look forward to.

 

[dwtraveler]

WOW, thanks for the information about the "Clear" program! Now to just find my old card and information....probably threw it away because I was so mad! Goes to show you, anger never wins.

 

[Rambler5678]

Hi Everyone,

Just wondering what excursions people were thinking about doing.

 

[dwtraveler]

PS---Shari, loved the photo of Dale doing his push-ups!!!

 

[taswira]

PS---Shari, loved the photo of Dale doing his push-ups!!!

Thanks! I probably have about a thousand rather unusual pics of the 'munks. I can only manage that when they are friends of mine (clearing my throat here . . ummmm).

The Clear site says to use this form if you need a replacement card. You can let them know in the comments area of the form. I'm sure you're not the only one who assumed they were out of business for good.

Rambler5678 - Thanks for posting! I think several pages back there was a little discussion about excursions. I'm not doing any but I know others are. Maybe we'll get more activity here on the topic since the cruise is much closer now.

 

[Donald_Quackers]

Taswira -- admit it, you stalk them!

All kidding aside, I was think about the Island Drive and Explorer Cruise at St. Maarten, and on St. Thomas, the Skyride to Paradise Point.

I would have just done Paradise Point on my own, but given that we are tendering into Charlotte Amalie, I thought it better to just do the excursion.

I may even do the St. Thomas Island Tour if there's time.

May even do Castaway Ray's on Castaway Cay.

So exciting, almost a month till I can make those reservations, but Palo/Spa ones come first.

 

[dwtraveler]

OK, there are already 116 pages on this thread so I'm sorry if I've missed some of the information and I'm sure someone has already addressed this question but here goes....

Which night is formal night on the cruise? Which night is pirate night, also?

OK, I feel silly, everyone knows this but I'm not up to speed yet. Just took out my cruise folder to organize it. I've stuffed this big pocket folder with so much information, I can't find anything! Guess this will be my day for organization...

 

[taswira]

Which night is formal night on the cruise? Which night is pirate night, also?

The DCL FAQ here on the DIS should answer many of your questions. They try to keep it updated, but sometimes it isn't possible. Be aware that DCL has been known to change things during a cruise (ie. formal night, etc.).

Formal night should be Sunday, with Pirate night on Tuesday . . so far.

 

[MoranClan]

Getting extremely excited... We can start booking all onboard and shore excursions August 6th. 9 more days..

We are definately booking the Golden Eagle Catamaran while visiting St. Maarten.

St. Thomas we are only doing the Tram, as my wife has declared that day as the shopping day, I just may drink all day.

I am going to try and book the cabana on Castaway Cay, but I know they are not open for reservations yet. Its our 17th Anniversary on that day, so I want to splurge a bit.

 

[dwtraveler]

Thanks Shari, you should see my desk...and floor...and extra chair...stuff everywhere. When did I loose control? I started with one folder, then decided to rearrange just one drawer in my file cabinet. Well, you have to move some things to the second drawer and that requires some rearranging there...etc.

 

[taswira]

I know what you mean. I always feel major accomplishment when all my drawers are neatly organized though. Chest of drawers, dresser, file cabinets - When everything has a particular place and is IN its place, I feel so proud of myself. It's only too bad things don't stay that way!

Lately I've been wondering if I should start organizing (and in some case locating!) all my Chip 'n' Dale stuff for the cruise. While I have pretty much already packed my own bag, I've yet to start on my "chipmunk stuff." When I did the Pal Mickey Gathering at Sea cruise, my Pal Mickey had his own wheeled roll-aboard bag for his attire and accessories. I've been hoping that won't be the case for my 'munks, but I'm not sure they'll accept my "packing light" mode of thinking!