12/24/08 Christmas Cruise on the Wonder

[drag n' fly]

Well the CT scan was cool! I will get the results tomorrow. When I went for my physical they found a shadow on my liver and decided to scan it. I am sure it is nothing and I probably have a shadowy liver...from all my love flubber

 

[brendalee59]

I have a 2005 Dodge Durango...4WD.....with the Hemi We go through $100 + every week for gas. Yes, It's a gas hog,but it's paid for. 85% of my running is for the kids activities. Soooooo We are buying Lindsey's car now instead of waiting for her birthday in Nov. We realized with what we put into the gas tank of the Durango each month,we could make a car pmt,and have money left over. It kinda became a no brainer.
We are getting her a Corolla. The salesman went over the safety features of the Corolla bumper to bumper with me. I can't help but be impressed with how safe these little cars are. Not to mention the 30 mpg
I would love a Camry Hybrid as well. But the hybrid wouldn't help me so much as I have a lead foot We thought about the Camry for us,but since the twins will be needing cars in the next 6 months, it just made more sense to get one for Lindsey. Michael wants a Tundra so bad. I looked at those too. Sorry,but it's not in the budget,and the mileage isn't good enough for the investment. Neither is the Tacoma.

 

[brendalee59]

Well the CT scan was cool! I will get the results tomorrow. When I went for my physical they found a shadow on my liver and decided to scan it. I am sure it is nothing and I probably have a shadowy liver...from all my love flubber

My goodness girl. I hope you are right and it is nothing.

 

[TXdeVille]

Pixie dust that it is nothing.

I'm thinking about the car for Victoria as well. She turns 16 in December. Should have good deals at that time too. I'll look into the Corolla. You have sold me on it. After all we are a Toyota family!! Also thought about a Honda Civic. I know they are dependable as well.

BTW, Are we still doing the Fish Extenders?? I'm starting to compile a list of everything I need to get.....

 

[drag n' fly]

Well I am back got the results. I do have a bit of love flubber on my liver (aka fatty deposit) they also did find a lump. However the good news is the blood is flowing through it fine and it might be just some weird liver anomoly so I have to get it re-done in 6 mos! Today I bought my annuals. Got mostly wave petunias this year. I will contact the fish extender lady she should be back from Hawaii! I am buying mine from her; is everyone else going to do one?

 

[brendalee59]

Pixie dust that it is nothing.

I'm thinking about the car for Victoria as well. She turns 16 in December. Should have good deals at that time too. I'll look into the Corolla. You have sold me on it. After all we are a Toyota family!! Also thought about a Honda Civic. I know they are dependable as well.

BTW, Are we still doing the Fish Extenders?? I'm starting to compile a list of everything I need to get.....

I don't know if these safety features are "new" or I've been under a rock and never heard of them till now. The 2009 Corolla has a roll bar built into the frame, break away motor mounts which drop the engine onto the ground in a head on accident. Also "active head rests" Which come up and forward if the car is rear ended. Then your basics, like power locks which lock when put into gear,and 3 point seat belts. Front and rear passenger airbags too.
The only thing I'm not sure about, is the electric steering
Those are alot of saftey features which come standard on a $17,000 car.


Annette, I'm glad the news was good. I'm up for fish extenders if everyone else is. You may want to PM me the ladies link. I thought I would make one, but then think...nawww I hate to sew.

 

[TXdeVille]

I don't know if these safety features are "new" or I've been under a rock and never heard of them till now. The 2009 Corolla has a roll bar built into the frame, break away motor mounts which drop the engine onto the ground in a head on accident. Also "active head rests" Which come up and forward if the car is rear ended. Then your basics, like power locks which lock when put into gear,and 3 point seat belts. Front and rear passenger airbags too.
The only thing I'm not sure about, is the electric steering
Those are alot of saftey features which come standard on a $17,000 car.


Annette, I'm glad the news was good. I'm up for fish extenders if everyone else is. You may want to PM me the ladies link. I thought I would make one, but then think...nawww I hate to sew.

Wow! Nice features. I don't think my 2007 Camry has that. Year of the new body. I don't think I will get a brand new car for her. I knew about some of those features though....like the lock thing.

I had already started thinking about what to put in the fish extenders. I think we should do it. Make sure you PM me the ladies link as well. I definitely won't be sewing and would hate to ask my boss to do it, although she would (I don't know anyone else who sews that is nearby). Besides, I don't know how to get creative in the design for it. How do you find these people anyway?

Glad to hear about the CT, Annette. Kinda scary though. I am sure it is nothing. Would hate to see a scan of my liver.....

 

[drag n' fly]

I found the lady from another thread on the DIS. She sells them on ebay and I have her ebay username (gradysmommy). I just pm her through ebay. The weather is unreal here. It is 80f today and 87f tomorrow! Rain and 55 next week though!

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Glad to hear about the CT, Annette. Kinda scary though. I am sure it is nothing. Would hate to see a scan of my liver.....

Hee, hee! Ditto.

FEs are okay with me!

 

[adrianna_sarah]

I have never been to WDW during the holidays, or even the busy summer months, so I am nervous about the crowds. I've been thinking about the things I can't miss in the parks while we're there.

1. Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me! Pirates of the Caribbean.
2. It's a Small World. (Let's just keep this our dirty little secret, though!)
3. Osborn Family lights in MGM.
4. Haunted Mansion-I hear it's specially decorated at XMas.
5. China Pavillion in Epcot-hoping to buy the doll I couldn't afford there five years ago.
6. Mexico Pavillion b/c it's pretty.
7. Splash Mountain b/c it was in rehab during our January trip.
8. Fantasmic! Illuminations!
9. Hubby and I drinking ourselves through the World Showcase. Oh drat, we have little kids... can't do that anymore!
10. "Dead men tell no tales..." back to POTC one more time, baby!

What's the attraction you just can't miss?

 

[TXdeVille]

I found the lady from another thread on the DIS. She sells them on ebay and I have her ebay username (gradysmommy). I just pm her through ebay. The weather is unreal here. It is 80f today and 87f tomorrow! Rain and 55 next week though!

OMG!!! I got her name as well through the same thread probably. Her FE's are A-W-E-S-O-M-E!! They truly are! I will certainly go find her and get started on this. About how long does she like to have?

Crazy weather for you, Annette! It wasn't that warm here Friday, but it got warm today. Even warmer tomorrow, and a predicted high of 96 on Tuesday which means it will be higher than that! And it's only May! Then again....I can remember when we have already had 100 degree days by this time.

Adrianna....do we have to pick just one?? There is SOOOOOO much at WDW that I haven't done or seen. I guess here is my thoughts...

1. Rockin Roller Coaster
2. Sunrise Breakfast Safari (never done)
3. Osborn Family Lights (never done)
4. Fastasmic Illuminations (never done)
5. Splash Mountain b/c in rehab during our January trip (p.s. when did you go? perhaps we passed each other ; btw santa was there without the suit. we saw him twice)
6. Japan pavilion to buy a custom kimono
7. Creme Brulee in Boulangerie Patisserie (THE BEST!!)
8. Stay at all the different DVC resorts
9. Soarin' (this time I'll take Dramamine first. got sick at Mission: SPACE)
10. WHERE ARE MY VILLAINS!!!!

I would love to do the Star Wars Weekend and the International Food and Wine Festival as well. We will have to do the actual parks some other trip though. Universal won the vote this time.. And I want to go back with my camera that I will be buying....someday....in order to take fantabulous pictures!!! Already got it picked out, just saving my pennies.

 

[brendalee59]

Wow! Nice features. I don't think my 2007 Camry has that. Year of the new body. I don't think I will get a brand new car for her. I knew about some of those features though....like the lock thing.

I had already started thinking about what to put in the fish extenders. I think we should do it. Make sure you PM me the ladies link as well. I definitely won't be sewing and would hate to ask my boss to do it, although she would (I don't know anyone else who sews that is nearby). Besides, I don't know how to get creative in the design for it. How do you find these people anyway?

Glad to hear about the CT, Annette. Kinda scary though. I am sure it is nothing. Would hate to see a scan of my liver.....

I would rather get her a good used car. Unfortunatly for us, Dale knows nothing about engines. We are a total lemon magnet Dale issued a new car only policy way back in 1986 Lucky for us the price is decent and the interest rate 2.9% for 60 months. I'd prefer the 0% we got on our oldest DD's car,but 2.9 ain't bad. It's our insurance I'm afraid of . We will put Michael on the Durango's policy since it's paid for and we will be able to downgrade to Libability only. Hopefully that will ease the pinch a little bit.

 

[brendalee59]

I have never been to WDW during the holidays, or even the busy summer months, so I am nervous about the crowds. I've been thinking about the things I can't miss in the parks while we're there.

1. Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me! Pirates of the Caribbean.
2. It's a Small World. (Let's just keep this our dirty little secret, though!)
3. Osborn Family lights in MGM.
4. Haunted Mansion-I hear it's specially decorated at XMas.
5. China Pavillion in Epcot-hoping to buy the doll I couldn't afford there five years ago.
6. Mexico Pavillion b/c it's pretty.
7. Splash Mountain b/c it was in rehab during our January trip.
8. Fantasmic! Illuminations!
9. Hubby and I drinking ourselves through the World Showcase. Oh drat, we have little kids... can't do that anymore!
10. "Dead men tell no tales..." back to POTC one more time, baby!

What's the attraction you just can't miss?

Last time we were also there over the holidays. Yes it is crowded. But then we really have no idea what it is like any other time of year.
I know we will go about it differently this time. No more Commando park visits for me. I was so tired by the time we got to the ship I could barely move. Which reminds me a a funny,and embarrassing story on myself. I may share it with you later if your really good little girls Let's see, must do's for us would include

1.Pirates of the Caribbean. (Lindsey just loves Capt Jack)
2.Osborn Family lights in MGM. ( we did this in 2000,but it wasn't the dancing lights on the buildings)
3.Haunted Mansion. (I've heard they have made a few changes loved it before hope to love it still)
4. Splash Mountain because it's FUN
5. Space Mountain cause this big chicken wants to try something daring
6. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad cause it may be all the big chicken can handle
7. Soar'n
8.Kids want to do Tower Of Terror...again. Dale took them last time( gotta find the pic for you!) Dale says he aint going again
9.Dinosaur. Never made it to AK but would like to go just for this ride
10. Take one afternoon to just lay in a hammock and relax.

 

[brendalee59]

BTW Adrianna, Small World was Dale's favorite too. He's so dissipointed the grandkids aren't going cause he wanted to take DGD on it. More likw he wanted an excuse to ride it himself(and that's our dirty little secret)

 

[TXdeVille]

I would rather get her a good used car. Unfortunatly for us, Dale knows nothing about engines. We are a total lemon magnet Dale issued a new car only policy way back in 1986 Lucky for us the price is decent and the interest rate 2.9% for 60 months. I'd prefer the 0% we got on our oldest DD's car,but 2.9 ain't bad. It's our insurance I'm afraid of . We will put Michael on the Durango's policy since it's paid for and we will be able to downgrade to Libability only. Hopefully that will ease the pinch a little bit.

We are lemon magnets too. Most of the time anyways. Luckily, Mike knows a little something about engines but not as much as I would like for him too. Most of the time I know something is wrong with the engine before he does. As for the insurance.....scares me too.

 

[TXdeVille]

What are all of you doing about Palo? If you are....brunch or dinner? And what night? I have heard two schools of thought about how if it is your first time on a cruise to do the brunch since you don't miss any of the restaurants or pirate night but you shouldn't miss out on the dinner. I'm so confused

 

[adrianna_sarah]

As to brunch or dinner, it depends on your preferences, but there is only one brunch and it is on our sea day. Under normal circumstances, I'd rather have dinner, personally. Most would say the best night for Palo is the second, since you are in the same dining room for the third night as well, which is Pirate Night and nobody wants to miss that one!!! Unfortunatly, the second night is Christmas night on our particular cruise and if you're like me, you probably feel the need to spend Christmas with your kids. For this reason, we'll probably try to do the brunch this time. I am sure a lot of people will be feeling the same, though. When I logged on last time at the 75 day mark to try and make a Palo reservation, all of the brunch and tea slots were already booked, but I was not on at midnight. All of the Palo dinner slots were booked at that point as well, except for the very earliest and very latest times.

Bottom line... I would have a Plan A and a Plan B... and maybe a plan C just in case.

Hope that helps.

Adrianna

 

[TXdeVille]

We are definitely feeling like you in that Christmas should be spent with the kiddos. How do we know what our rotation is? I wouldn't mind missing Parrot Cay (I have seen a lot of suggestions for this) but don't want to miss the others. I think you may have mentioned this already, but do we know for sure what our itinerary will be since it is a Christmas cruise?

 

[adrianna_sarah]

You don't find out your rotation until you get on board, unfortunately. You just kind of have to hedge your bets. With the ages of your kids, I would guess you would get the 8:15 rotation (that's only a guess), but don't recall what that was. I posted it a few pages back based on something I found on the general info thread. Another option is to book an earlier Palo time and watch the sunset, like 5:30ish and then join your kids for a second dinner at your regular seating.

 

[TXdeVille]

You don't find out your rotation until you get on board, unfortunately. You just kind of have to hedge your bets. With the ages of your kids, I would guess you would get the 8:15 rotation (that's only a guess), but don't recall what that was. I posted it a few pages back based on something I found on the general info thread. Another option is to book an earlier Palo time and watch the sunset, like 5:30ish and then join your kids for a second dinner at your regular seating.

We are definitely signed up for the 2nd seating....at least what I requested. But I was curious as to the rotation of the restaurants. Guess I could call CS and find out?