12/24/08 Christmas Cruise on the Wonder

[drag n' fly]

BTW you are chief thread administrator so you have the final say Talk about the weight of the world on your shoulders huh!

Dh is a P.Eng he is a fracturing engineer.
How's this for a mouthful!!!

Stim-Lab, a Core Lab Production Enhancement division, is the oil and gas industry's foremost provider of a broad range of research and testing services for drilling, cementing, completion and stimulation design, additive evaluation, petrology and reservoir analysis.
We simulate fracture acidizing, closed fracture acidizing and matrix acidizing of carbonate formations; and our GOHFER™ fracture simulator is the only simulator that can accurately model proppant transport, handle horizontal and asymmetric well models, model multiple perforated intervals with diversion between perofrations for limited entry design, allow for vertical and lateral variation of leakoff and rheology across the fracture, and accurately model frac-pac designs by using pressure distribution screen-out criteria.

Stim-Lab's research consortia offer the opportunity for companies to participate in multi-client studies that investigate subjects of broad industry interest. Producers, service companies and suppliers in these consortia study a variety of issues including proppant transport, proppant conductivity, screen cleanup, casing cleanup, testing methods for matrix fracture acidizing, and perforating damage assessment and prediction.

 

[TXdeVille]

Both girls look exactly like I did at that age. Upon seeing a picture of me when I was 21,Lindsey blurts out"( with a horrified look on her face) does this mean I'm going to look like Mom when I get old?" The only difference
was our hair color. I had very dark brown, almost black hair. Val was light blonde till she was in her early 20's, then it turned light brown. Lindsey has always had a medium, reddish brown.

There is 12 years difference between Valerie and the twins. And yes, Lindsey's smile is the result of pricey orthodontics. Valerie and Michael's are all natural. The only two of the five kids that didn't need braces.

Michael looks like me, but has his my DH's hair and forehead. We were lucky on the red hair gene. My father, and Dale's mother were redheads. None of our children have red hair. Just a few reddish highlights.


Annette, Great picture. I love the little ones hat! I long for snow sometimes. It doesn't snow much in SW Oklahoma. The weather man kept forecasting snow this winter, but we never got a thing. The last time we had a white Christmas, we were in WDW in 2000!

Speaking of winter."Winter Wonder Christmas Candy Cane Cruise"I like it. Good job girls. If Courtney likes it too, I say we have our name.

Ok, So what is the deal with " Fish extenders? I have seen posts about them, but must admit, I haven't read them. I know they are over the door hangers, but that's about it.
Oh, Guess I can read the thread huh

Enjoy your Sunday ladies.

Sorry....hadn't seen this entry before I gave my suggestions. Still like it though.

As for your DD waiting til the kids are older, she shouldn't wait. She has so many opportunities in front of her. I know it's scary leaving a smaller area, but she wouldn't believe what she can do. And there are "smaller" big cities that still have a fairly small town feel. A convenience store is such a scary place to be. I am actually in Ft Worth. Used to work in Dallas and I miss it terribly but still enjoy FW. I have always lived in big cities (I'm from Houston) but honestly couldn't stand my 3 months that I lived in Henryetta. THAT's a long story.

I am getting sooooo excited about the cruise......

 

[brendalee59]

BTW you are chief thread administrator so you have the final say Talk about the weight of the world on your shoulders huh!

Dh is a P.Eng he is a fracturing engineer.
How's this for a mouthful!!!

Stim-Lab, a Core Lab Production Enhancement division, is the oil and gas industry's foremost provider of a broad range of research and testing services for drilling, cementing, completion and stimulation design, additive evaluation, petrology and reservoir analysis.
We simulate fracture acidizing, closed fracture acidizing and matrix acidizing of carbonate formations; and our GOHFER™ fracture simulator is the only simulator that can accurately model proppant transport, handle horizontal and asymmetric well models, model multiple perforated intervals with diversion between perofrations for limited entry design, allow for vertical and lateral variation of leakoff and rheology across the fracture, and accurately model frac-pac designs by using pressure distribution screen-out criteria.

Stim-Lab's research consortia offer the opportunity for companies to participate in multi-client studies that investigate subjects of broad industry interest. Producers, service companies and suppliers in these consortia study a variety of issues including proppant transport, proppant conductivity, screen cleanup, casing cleanup, testing methods for matrix fracture acidizing, and perforating damage assessment and prediction.

mmmmm ok. Thanks for the crash course Clear as mud to me, but I did ask didn't I Oh yeah, see another reason you should have moved here. Courtney only lives 3 hrs away

Ok Ok, If you are going to make me choose. Geee, all I did was start a thread How about The "Wonder'ful Candy Cane Christmas Cruise"?

 

[brendalee59]

Sorry....hadn't seen this entry before I gave my suggestions. Still like it though.

As for your DD waiting til the kids are older, she shouldn't wait. She has so many opportunities in front of her. I know it's scary leaving a smaller area, but she wouldn't believe what she can do. And there are "smaller" big cities that still have a fairly small town feel. A convenience store is such a scary place to be. I am actually in Ft Worth. Used to work in Dallas and I miss it terribly but still enjoy FW. I have always lived in big cities (I'm from Houston) but honestly couldn't stand my 3 months that I lived in Henryetta. THAT's a long story.

I am getting sooooo excited about the cruise......

LOL it isn't leaving small town to go to big city, it's leaving mommy and daddy She had a great job at the surgical center. 6:30 am to 3:00 pm,but she got tired of seeing tonsils and butts all day. But it was the only thing in town that had hours that woked with day care. Then the drs that owned it, sold the building . They all went back to the hospitals. She went with them, but the hospital hired a ton of techs, and worked them all part time. Then there was the on call time,which again, meant we had to be on call when she was. If we would move with her, she would go in a heart beat. Her dream is to work at the trauma center in Houston. She has already checked into nursing school here. She is a single mom trying to make ends meet,and part time just didn't cut it. She is going to have to go to school during the day, and work at night. For now, at least, being manager, she works great hours.

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Fine with me.

New topic here, but advice is needed. When I booked our flights back in February, I was using frequent flyer miles which you have to book waaaaaay early for Holiday flights as only a certain percentage of frequent flyer seats are allowed on any one flight. We are frequent flyers on Northwest but booked on Midwest Air as they are a partner airline. I booked us on the 1:45 PM direct flight. They just changed the flight (same flight number, mind you) to 11:10 AM which we just can't make. I called Midwest and they offered to put us on a night flight with a three hour layover in Milwaukee that gets us in just before midnight. As you can imagine, that sounds like nightmare travel for a family with small children.

I was thinking I'd call Midwest and see if they could push us pack a couple of days and we'd just go back to WDW and recoup until the 30th. Not to the parks, just go to a hotel and veg out. I want to try the Boardwalk, but hubby and son are intent on the AKL... where we stayed in January. I figure if we're going to pay all that money, like the rest of you regular folks (SOG is booked full), we might as well really soak up one of the hotels. It would have to be a deluxe though. I am a hotel snob and a little claustrophobic so it has to be a deluxe. What do you think? Anybody just stayed at a hotel to experience the hotel?

 

[brendalee59]

Fine with me.

New topic here, but advice is needed. When I booked our flights back in February, I was using frequent flyer miles which you have to book waaaaaay early for Holiday flights as only a certain percentage of frequent flyer seats are allowed on any one flight. We are frequent flyers on Northwest but booked on Midwest Air as they are a partner airline. I booked us on the 1:45 PM direct flight. They just changed the flight (same flight number, mind you) to 11:10 AM which we just can't make. I called Midwest and they offered to put us on a night flight with a three hour layover in Milwaukee that gets us in just before midnight. As you can imagine, that sounds like nightmare travel for a family with small children.

I was thinking I'd call Midwest and see if they could push us pack a couple of days and we'd just go back to WDW and recoup until the 30th. Not to the parks, just go to a hotel and veg out. I want to try the Boardwalk, but hubby and son are intent on the AKL... where we stayed in January. I figure if we're going to pay all that money, like the rest of you regular folks (SOG is booked full), we might as well really soak up one of the hotels. It would have to be a deluxe though. I am a hotel snob and a little claustrophobic so it has to be a deluxe. What do you think? Anybody just stayed at a hotel to experience the hotel?

Wow, wish we could get a couple more days in WDW I'm a hotel snob too. The hotel isn't just a place to sleep, it's a destination. When I'm on vacation, I want to relax and spread out.
After 4 days of the parks, then the cruise, You are going to need to relax.
The deluxe resorts have enough to keep me there for a day or two. I wouldn't even miss the parks.

 

[adrianna_sarah]

I know that you're staying at the Poly. Is that your first choice or do you have a favorite? I really want to stay at the GF someday, too, but the lowest rack rate is $605 per night at XMas and I think the theming would be lost on the kids. Maybe better to save for a long weekend without the kids... during the value season.

I have always been intrigued but the theming at the Boardwalk. I loved the AKL, mind you and would enjoy going back except that before we had a suite (b/c it was January and cost way less). Just wouldn't be the same all cramped into one room.

WL is actually offering a pretty decent military overbook rate through SOG so we could get a Courtyard View for the price of a Standard. Oh, what to do, what to do???

My hubby keeps saying it doesn't matter, we'll probably try them all before we die anyway. I am so Type A.

 

[adrianna_sarah]

That is if Midwest will let me push the dang ticket back. They should though since their dang schedule change created all this. Grrr...

Annette and Courtney- Are your guys going to WDW at all before or after and where would you most like to stay?

Adrianna

 

[drag n' fly]

Fine with me.

New topic here, but advice is needed. When I booked our flights back in February, I was using frequent flyer miles which you have to book waaaaaay early for Holiday flights as only a certain percentage of frequent flyer seats are allowed on any one flight. We are frequent flyers on Northwest but booked on Midwest Air as they are a partner airline. I booked us on the 1:45 PM direct flight. They just changed the flight (same flight number, mind you) to 11:10 AM which we just can't make. I called Midwest and they offered to put us on a night flight with a three hour layover in Milwaukee that gets us in just before midnight. As you can imagine, that sounds like nightmare travel for a family with small children.

I was thinking I'd call Midwest and see if they could push us pack a couple of days and we'd just go back to WDW and recoup until the 30th. Not to the parks, just go to a hotel and veg out. I want to try the Boardwalk, but hubby and son are intent on the AKL... where we stayed in January. I figure if we're going to pay all that money, like the rest of you regular folks (SOG is booked full), we might as well really soak up one of the hotels. It would have to be a deluxe though. I am a hotel snob and a little claustrophobic so it has to be a deluxe. What do you think? Anybody just stayed at a hotel to experience the hotel?

OMG that would be so great because TXdeVille(Courtney) and I are staying at AKV at the exact same time going on the exact same cruise. If you happened to book there then it would be really nice. We are vegging out for the 2 nights we will be at AKV! Where is Brenda staying?(oops I read below at the poly) I bet since she is doing cat 3 it is some swanky joint on the monorail! We stayed at the Grand Californian in November just so we could experience it in November and it was really nice! Any sane Mother knows you book the best travel time with the least amount of headache so we all understand your predicament. Well no matter what if you need to find us look no furthert than Victoria Falls

 

[drag n' fly]

That is if Midwest will let me push the dang ticket back. They should though since their dang schedule change created all this. Grrr...

Annette and Courtney- Are your guys going to WDW at all before or after and where would you most like to stay?

Adrianna

Well we are staying at our home resort AKV. If you want nice Christmas theming them WL is the one for you. It apparently is the most pretty and most hard to get at Christmas time. We are freeloading at concierge for 2 nights on our DVC points. We will spend one day at MGM. We are taking ds5 to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and all the other stuff and then having dinner at prime time and seeing the Osboune lights. We arrive in Tampa on the 18th and will do Busch Gardens for 2 days, shop and lookyloo around for two days before driving up to AKV on the 22nd.

 

[drag n' fly]

Wow, wish we could get a couple more days in WDW I'm a hotel snob too. The hotel isn't just a place to sleep, it's a destination. When I'm on vacation, I want to relax and spread out.
After 4 days of the parks, then the cruise, You are going to need to relax.
The deluxe resorts have enough to keep me there for a day or two. I wouldn't even miss the parks.

Yup I totally agree. We are going to lay around at the resort mostly before we cruise!!!

 

[brendalee59]

OMG that would be so great because TXdeVille(Courtney) and I are staying at AKV at the exact same time going on the exact same cruise. If you happened to book there then it would be really nice. We are vegging out for the 2 nights we will be at AKV! Where is Brenda staying?(oops I read below at the poly) I bet since she is doing cat 3 it is some swanky joint on the monorail! We stayed at the Grand Californian in November just so we could experience it in November and it was really nice! Any sane Mother knows you book the best travel time with the least amount of headache so we all understand your predicament. Well no matter what if you need to find us look no furthert than Victoria Falls

Good morning ladies.
Annette, Forgive me if I have misread,(I'm still half asleep ) But you and Courtney are staying precruise correct? Adrianna is staying pre cruise at SOG. She's talking about post cruise.( I think ) It would be fun if you were all staying at the same place though. Gotta run get the kids out the door be back in a bit.

 

[brendalee59]

OMG that would be so great because TXdeVille(Courtney) and I are staying at AKV at the exact same time going on the exact same cruise. If you happened to book there then it would be really nice. We are vegging out for the 2 nights we will be at AKV! Where is Brenda staying?(oops I read below at the poly) I bet since she is doing cat 3 it is some swanky joint on the monorail! We stayed at the Grand Californian in November just so we could experience it in November and it was really nice! Any sane Mother knows you book the best travel time with the least amount of headache so we all understand your predicament. Well no matter what if you need to find us look no furthert than Victoria Falls

Guilty as charged Thinking about upgrading to club level too

I'm still trying to decide on DDP. The Deluxe plan would suite our eating habits better, as we could use either counter or table service all three meals. But good grief, it's $$$$ So I was thinking club level would give us snacks,and appitizers,to get the us through till dinner. I don't know, your thoughts would be welcome here.

 

[brendalee59]

I know that you're staying at the Poly. Is that your first choice or do you have a favorite? I really want to stay at the GF someday, too, but the lowest rack rate is $605 per night at XMas and I think the theming would be lost on the kids. Maybe better to save for a long weekend without the kids... during the value season.

I have always been intrigued but the theming at the Boardwalk. I loved the AKL, mind you and would enjoy going back except that before we had a suite (b/c it was January and cost way less). Just wouldn't be the same all cramped into one room.

WL is actually offering a pretty decent military overbook rate through SOG so we could get a Courtyard View for the price of a Standard. Oh, what to do, what to do???

My hubby keeps saying it doesn't matter, we'll probably try them all before we die anyway. I am so Type A.

Actually, the Poly was our first choice. Last time we were at CBR. But the twins were 8 at the time, and didn't mind sharing a bed...much. Of the three monorail resorts, it is more "us" Besides, it will bring back fond memories of our 25th anniversary trip to Hawaii. But then, it could pale in comparison to the real thing. I admit to wanting to try the Boardwalk myself. I think Dale and I may go to dinner on the Boardwalk one evening. Kind of a date night. The twins can either get room service, or can eat at Capt. Cooks.
Adrianna, your DH is probably right. Your children are still young, and you have a many more WDW vacations in your future. Whichever you don't choose this time,you can do next time

 

[drag n' fly]

Good morning ladies.
Annette, Forgive me if I have misread,(I'm still half asleep ) But you and Courtney are staying precruise correct? Adrianna is staying pre cruise at SOG. She's talking about post cruise.( I think ) It would be fun if you were all staying at the same place though. Gotta run get the kids out the door be back in a bit.

ooops I see that....more coffee

 

[drag n' fly]

Guilty as charged Thinking about upgrading to club level too

I'm still trying to decide on DDP. The Deluxe plan would suite our eating habits better, as we could use either counter or table service all three meals. But good grief, it's $$$$ So I was thinking club level would give us snacks,and appitizers,to get the us through till dinner. I don't know, your thoughts would be welcome here.

We were fortunate to get club level with our DVC points at AKV

Our theory is like you mentioned use the lounge to tide you over until meal time because you are staying at the resort!

We did the DDDP a couple weeks ago. I felt we were just eating all the time and our day was too scheduled. Being that it was so expensive we of course tried to get as many TS restaurants as possible to get our money's worth. We did use the credits though for some nice 2 credit restaurants! Due to the cost we would never get it when we have the kids with us tho!

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Grrr... Midwest will only bump the ticket by 1 day at no expense to me... but... since it was a Sunday ticket, I can change it to a weekday, pay the change fee and still end up with a $30 credit, since it is so much more expensive to fly on a Sunday. Now I just have to call Northwest and see if they are willing to move the frequent flyer tickets, b/c Midwest has no control over their usage. The Northwest wed site is not cooperating at the moment.

Shouldn't Frequent Flyer "Rewards" be little less difficult! This is all making me feel a bit un-Disney.

 

[drag n' fly]

Grrr... Midwest will only bump the ticket by 1 day at no expense to me... but... since it was a Sunday ticket, I can change it to a weekday, pay the change fee and still end up with a $30 credit, since it is so much more expensive to fly on a Sunday. Now I just have to call Northwest and see if they are willing to move the frequent flyer tickets, b/c Midwest has no control over their usage. The Northwest wed site is not cooperating at the moment.

Shouldn't Frequent Flyer "Rewards" be little less difficult! This is all making me feel a bit un-Disney.

We are using our credit card points for flights in December also! We are hoping we do not have a sudden change of plans on behalf of the airline also. Man that is so annoying. It will all work out!

 

[TXdeVille]

We were fortunate to get club level with our DVC points at AKV

Our theory is like you mentioned use the lounge to tide you over until meal time because you are staying at the resort!

We did the DDDP a couple weeks ago. I felt we were just eating all the time and our day was too scheduled. Being that it was so expensive we of course tried to get as many TS restaurants as possible to get our money's worth. We did use the credits though for some nice 2 credit restaurants! Due to the cost we would never get it when we have the kids with us tho!

As you said, we are staying at AKV pre-cruise. At our home resort with DVC. I would love to stay at VWL because of the decorations and such, but as you have already said, it will be difficult since it seems everyone wants to stay there.

Adrianna, if you want to stay in a suite, it might be cheaper to rent points from someone. They usually go for $10-11 a point. Depending on where you want to stay and the size of room you want, that is what determines how many points it will take. There is a discussion board for this as well. I would offer mine but am already using points from a year in advance. Not ideal but sometimes necessary.

As for the DDDP, I agree with drag n' fly. We used it in January. Thankfully our kids love to eat lobster, crab, etc otherwise we may not have even broken even on the cost. And we missed out on stuff because we had advanced dining reservations at table service restaurants and had to utilize transportation to get there, etc. I feel our days were way too scheduled and we easily lost several hours a day. If we ever did it again, I would do the regular plan. The only real reason we used the Deluxe plan is because we wanted to do the luau at the Poly which cost 2 credits each and other table service restaurants we wanted to try.

 

[brendalee59]

Well, we're flying AA with no discounts at all. Paying full price. It's a little more per ticket than Disney air was going to be, but we have more control over where we connect. or in our case not to connect. Between it being winter, and Christmas, we didn't want to risk getting snowed in up north.

Does anyone know how much more it would cost per person to upgrade to club level? I don't want to spend the entire four days rushing to eat. We like to wing it for meals. I know we want to eat at the Scifi Drive Inn,and O'haha for dinner. Kona for breakfast,and counter service the rest of the time. I would like to find something nice on the boardwalk for Dale and I. Guess I should start looking into that.


Adrianna, good luck working with the airline. I hope you get what you want from them.