12/09/06 Cruise Continued ~ Pirating Bananas DIS Geekorama Part 2 Part 2

[Bella2000]

They will not change too much until the back to school promo clears out the current stock.Pj

Sigh, that was what I was thinking. Thanks for the updates. I was also thinking about loading files onto my iPod using the iPod camera connector. Another thought was if Shutters can move media to CD - I know I read others have the Canon Rebel XT - I have a Pro 1GB card and if they do it while you wait I thought of offloading it to CD to free up my card. I wasn't sure whether I felt comfortable leaving my card overnight.

 

[lbgraves]

Lisa, We did the wishes cruise to see the lights. they take you out on a boat, pipe the music in, give you drinks and treats and you watch them on the lake. It is incredible. It was $200 for the boat and you could take 15 people.

Kim

I was talking about the Osborne lights at MGM. We usually take the monorail to MK and sit on the benches outside the gates on a day we don't do the parks to watch wishes. We have also watched them from the beach at the Poly but you don't hear the music there. I will have to look up the time for the show Wednesday night.

 

[Castlepixie]

What is everyone doing in Cozumel? I shopped last time I was there & then jumped back on the ship. It seems like most excursions are quite expensive.

My Lime green shirts are still in active order status...must be a major jam with all our Dis orders

 

[pjpoohbear]

Sigh, that was what I was thinking. Thanks for the updates. I was also thinking about loading files onto my iPod using the iPod camera connector. Another thought was if Shutters can move media to CD - I know I read others have the Canon Rebel XT - I have a Pro 1GB card and if they do it while you wait I thought of offloading it to CD to free up my card. I wasn't sure whether I felt comfortable leaving my card overnight.

We will have three mac laptops, how many ipods? (I have a video that will make the sail with me) And at least two camera connectors. We could set up a mac sales booth, lol.

I think the Photo CD runs either 14.99 or 19.99, and it is a limited number of photos. I know they do they at WDW, does anyone know if they do them at sea?


Pj

Ps. My boss thinks that the G5 Powermac will be announced in Intel, at WWDC.

 

[lbgraves]

Thanks Heavens! I thought I was the only person on the planet that felt that way.

Also a tip for all you survey people. I am on the national board of directors for the Marketing Research Association. There are about 7 major "panel creators". This means, companies who recruit people to to do surveys on-line, via web t.v.'s, phone, diary and scanning. The very legit ones like A.C. Nielsen will randomly recruit you and then pay you for doing surveys in your specific demographics. Others will maintain a "panel" or group of people and companies can buy access to your e-mail address. The company who recruited you will send you the survey invitation, but it could be from a different company every time. Childrens data is EXTREMLY protected by law. If you have a company asking your children to do surveys, they should ALWAYS have written permission from the parent to do the survey, the parents should be able to listen and watch every transaction and thier should NEVER be any specific information about your child other than maybe age category attached to it. If you have to give any information about your children other than age category be very wary. Many are legit, but be careful. If you find one you would like to do, just pmail me and I will send it to the legal department who can verify if the are legitimate. If they are not, we can help get them out of business. Sorry this was so serious, it's just that I take this stuff very seriously, especially where children's privacy is concerned.

Kim

Definitely! I also did mystery shopping for a couple years. You should NEVER pay to do surveys or MSing!!! There are legit companies out there. Kidzeyes is set up like you said. I signed DS up and then I had to call and talk to someone in their screening department before they would open his account. They only asked if he was a boy/girl and his age. The surveys are not about anything personal. They have sent him a cartoon to review that was in development. He watched it then answered questions about what he thought, what did he like, what did he not like, would he want merchandise with the characters on it...that kind of stuff. They have also asked what kind of video game system he has, which ones he has heard of and what kind of games he likes. I sit with him when he takes the surveys but he has been doing them for 6 months now and I trust them. Whenever he gets a notification of a survey I also get an email telling me that he has been contacted by the company.

It's great to know that someone is out there dealing with all the bozos who try to con people.

 

[lbgraves]

What is everyone doing in Cozumel? I shopped last time I was there & then jumped back on the ship. It seems like most excursions are quite expensive.

Well, we have been to Cozumel before & were not impressed at all. IMO it isn't worth dealing with a tender but if the ship docks we will see. I would rather treat it like another day at sea. The shop keepers were extremely pushy 2 years ago & the road was torn up being redone so everyone was crammed on the sidewalk in front of the shops...some had plywood covering the holes. Real "fun" with a stroller. OY! Nope, not interested in that again! We didn't book this cruise to see Cozumel again.

 

[lbgraves]

We will have three mac laptops, how many ipods? (I have a video that will make the sail with me) And at least two camera connectors. We could set up a mac sales booth, lol.

I think the Photo CD runs either 14.99 or 19.99, and it is a limited number of photos. I know they do they at WDW, does anyone know if they do them at sea?


Pj

Ps. My boss thinks that the G5 Powermac will be announced in Intel, at WWDC.

DH will have his laptop too...windows but it will still get the job done.

Yes, they do that at sea and you do need to leave your card over night. We will find some good deals on Black Friday to stock up before the cruise. I will post whenever I see a deal.

 

[mum of two pirates]

I had 3 pages to read to catch up from tonight allready. I guesse I should check my order status for my lime green shirts also. I bet they never thought they would sell like that in just a few days. We all should have put in a coment box somewhere DISboards.

 

[becka]

We thought about doing the Ocean View Explorer (I think that is the name) because I think the kids would enjoy seeing all the fish but it is $$$ and I have not decided if it is worth the money. I think Paradise Beach looks nice but we already have 2 beach days planned at CC. DH really wants to get off and look around so we will just play it by ear for now.

 

[lbgraves]

We can have a DIS kid's pool party at the Mickey Pool!!!! It is always uncrowded when we return to the ship around 10 or so...it should be totally empty at 9.

 

[Castlepixie]

I am not very excited about Coz either I would rather be on the ship!
DDs would like to see the "Mexican" wares but we will probably be back onboard before lunch I would rather spend $$$ at WDW pre-cruise than in Coz.

 

[DisneyVegas1]

Well, we have been to Cozumel before & were not impressed at all. IMO it isn't worth dealing with a tender but if the ship docks we will see. I would rather treat it like another day at sea. The shop keepers were extremely pushy 2 years ago & the road was torn up being redone so everyone was crammed on the sidewalk in front of the shops...some had plywood covering the holes. Real "fun" with a stroller. OY! Nope, not interested in that again! We didn't book this cruise to see Cozumel again.

You guys ought to get out and see the real Cozumel , rent a jeep go over to the east side , have a few drinks at Coconuts and Rastas ...And great food when you get off the beaten path , We Love Coz and plan to retire there in about 13 years .....Yes the main drag sucks , but thats where all the tourist area is , and its mostly like that anywhere where there is alot of tourists coming off ships ... We should actually be docking in December , I will be there in 3 weeks from today and will update you on the pier where the Magic docks ... But Honestly there is tons of beauty in Coz , just get off the beaten path , smile and the locals will embrace you ...Most likely we are going around the island in a jeep so if any of you want to tag along let me know .

Todd Margaritas around the island ??? LOL

 

[pjpoohbear]

The only reason I am leaving the ship in Coz is to head to the DelSol shop and get some nail polish and maybe a new Shirt as mine from Nassau is not so nice anymore. I am thinking I will be off the ship for no more than two hours, might grab a snack and soft drink at either Carlos & Charlies or Senor Frog's, want to pick up a keychain, I collect those.

Pj

 

[Jhalkias]

Would this be a good enough justification to order that MacBook I covert? (I wish the new Pro came in 12" like the old powerbook). I could always lug my Power Mac G5 on board and render some serious files! I've been waiting until WWDC next month to see what new toys will appear but gee, this might be what tips the scales? Hmm -

I was holding off on my next Mac purchase waiting for the 12" Pro, but then when I found out that there would not be one, and that the MacBook was replacing it, I made up my mind. I am right now using my BLACK (yeah, I forked over the extra for it) MacBook - and I LOVE this sleek little machine. Amy is using my old 12" Powerbook G4, which was really a nice laptop too. With the new MacBooks though, you get so much more for your $$$. Since I am a school board member, I get the educators discount - $200 off.

As far as iPods go, I am awaiting what will be new before I upgrade that. I have my nice little 2gb nano that I wish had more space, but I just love it too. My other iPod (2nd gen 10 gb) failed some time ago. DW has a newer 20 gb regular iPod that she will bring along - but not color. Sophia has a shuffle with all of her Disney and Bible songs on it (and REM's greatest hits, and Jimmy Buffet - the kid has eclectic taste).

I am hoping for a better video iPod by our cruise - or one with Wi-Fi capability. I just can't see watching video on current iPod screens.

Sorry for all the tech blabber for all you non-geek DIS'ers. DW knows I am an Apple Geek from a long way back (original computer was an Apple IIe), and a gadget geek.

BTW - took my laptop on our last vacation, but did not even use it to transfer photos or even download my CF card once! I got one of the 2gb ultra cards on sale at Best Buy, and it lasted the whole vacation (like 400 photos) on my Rebel xt.

John

 

[lbgraves]

After a very long day in CM the day before I think that a day of rest is what we will need. This will be the kid's first excursion...though I think that they will enjoy it...they will be missing the pool. With a late night planned watching DMC I know that we will need a good nap too.

We stayed on Grand Bahama Island on our honeymoon. The AIR was fantastic...right on the beach. Get in the pool & look out at the beach. Biggest decision...do we get a drink at the pool or on the beach. We rode bikes to the botanical gardens & really loved the area. Our biggest mistake was taking a taxi down to the straw market where the ships were docked. We were constantly bugged by merchants...one even started yelling at us about being rude because we wouldn't accept his gift of a huge conch shell. We said no thank you when he approached us and figured that nothing is truely free. We found the next taxi back to the resort ASAP! I'm sure that all of the islands have great things about them. We'll see them some day...another reason to rebook.

 

[tynkerbell]

Cozumel holds no interest to me either. DH wanted to see the ruins but the excursion for that seems far too long and far too pricey for my liking so if anything we'll shop for a little and then make it a day on the ship.

Basically just trying to decide if shopping is worth the hassle of tendering.

 

[lbgraves]

Reports have the ship docking at Cozumel this week I believe. We will see what DISers report back.

 

[Jhalkias]

Todd,

We'll have to look into the jeep thing. Like Lisa, we were NOT impressed by the Coz we saw trying to walk the main drag. Something about the soldiers with the big guns on the pier also kept me from trying to venture any further. (DW gets nervous about such things, and not exactly reasurring when you have a 6 yr old tagging along)

I suppose it is like you said though, just like anywhere else, you have to get off that beaten path and really immerse yourself in the local culture to enjoy.

Gee, maybe we can get a caravan of lime green jeeps!

John

 

[lbgraves]

LOL! Yes, I forgot about the guns. OY! Glad that a fellow DISer had warned us about that before getting there.

 

[kimerinc]

ok, we went to Denver on a business trip Tuesday and just got back this morning in time to get DD to her parade float. It has seriously taken me 2 hours to catch up. WOW! I had to stop and post twice in case I forgot something.

Joh, love my flash card! We often get them as gifts at conferences so I will bring a couple extra in case. DH and I are both bringing our laptops, blackberries, cell phones, etc.. If my hubby could talk himself in to a satellite phone we would have that too. If we do it at the wine and cheese, between you, penny, dh and I we can crank out quite a few... and I think someone else is bringing a slew of technical equipment. Because of work, we will both also have the wireless package on board and could send everything to a site.

Angie, my little girl only has one grandma and one grandpa so you and Dr. Hug will be the PERFECT table companions! If only I could convince Lisa to loan us her daughter and john would loan us Sophie.....

No packet for me yet, I am glad there are still a few of you out there that don't have it yet either. It may be at the office though..... I have not been there for a few days, so I am sure my shirts are there if nothing else.

Lisa, sorry about the wishes confusion!

My DH does not know about pirate night yet, I am waiting for the DVD to spring it on him. Todd, all boots are expensive so don't feel bad. DH family owns a cattle ranch and they spend A LOT on boots, and the girls who are barrel racers, don't get me started. Have to say though, they would probably have an intervention if he bought pirate boots and wore them to the ranch. Considering we can't drive our foreign made car, only our U.S. brands to the ranch, that should tell you something. Love the skit! On our last cruise, we had the NYC bagpipe corp. and they played all the time. Everyone love it, so I am sure this went over very well.

Hopefully I am remembering everything... Welcome back Belle and I think it was HJ that was new, welcome!

Kim