12/24/08 Christmas Cruise on the Wonder

[drag n' fly]

Hkatmom
Cabin: 7004
Kids: Ds7 (on the cruise), Dd 21 months

My parents (and Hkatmom's)
Cabin 7006
Young at heart

Andy are your parents doing the FE?

 

[scuba diver]

Cool beans! Thanks for the FE list.

Scuba diver and scuba mom....I have a question for you. I have been going back and forth about snorkel vests for me and DH. I will most certainly get them for the kids. I know DH and I can borrow one at CC as they will require them (they don't charge just for the vest, right?). Do you think we would need it around Athol Island or at a coral reef off the coast of Nassau? I am, of course, assuming you know the area. If not, let me know.

TIA!

I dont know the specific reefs you are talking about, but snorkle vests are a safety item. Unless I am wearing a wetsuit which makes bouyant I would use a vest.

Hanging in the water for a hour can be tiring and I don't want to come back until the last possible moment. Just having the ability to inflate and ride the waves is a great feeling.

 

[TXdeVille]

I dont know the specific reefs you are talking about, but snorkle vests are a safety item. Unless I am wearing a wetsuit which makes bouyant I would use a vest.

Hanging in the water for a hour can be tiring and I don't want to come back until the last possible moment. Just having the ability to inflate and ride the waves is a great feeling.

That's exactly what I was thinking. Great minds think alike....I might be scared if I were you.

 

[AndymanGA]

Andy are your parents doing the FE?

Yeppers

 

[drag n' fly]

Thanks Andy

 

[drag n' fly]

Well tomorrow is the first day of fall. I cut my grass for the last time yesterday. We are supposed to get frost this week....there goes all my annuals. I went to the farmers market yesterday and got a bag of beets. Today I am making a huge soup pot of Borscht. Dd12 went to Banff today with her friend to soak in the hot springs and I am doing laundry

Here is fall in Alberta

 

[TXdeVille]

Annette, that is gorgeous!!! I can't believe you are getting frost this week! That is crazy. You mowed your lawn for the last time and I had my last snow cone for the season.

I'm jealous of your DD. Banff is definitely one of the places I want to go. DH and I were just talking about future trips (2010, 2011, etc), getting an idea about our point usage, etc and I made the comment about how upsetting it is that the kids are as old as they are. Course they can still go on vacays with us while in college but I just wish I would have started this sooner. I was just thinking yesterday about visiting Calgary for the Stampede. I think I would feel at home there. Part of me can't wait until the kids are out of the house so that DH and I can do some trips on our own....like the Food and Wine Festival at WDW. The kids might like it though.....I'd feel bad about using points for us to go do something and that cuts into the points for our trips with them.

BTW, what is included in the Concierge level at AKV?

 

[DisneyMama27]

Annette, thanks for sharing those beautiful pics! I was blessed to take a trip to Alberta when I was 16, and I remember being blown away by how gorgeous it was - even in the summer! We visited Calgary, Banff, Glacier Nat'l Park, Athabasca Falls, Lake Louise (my personal favorite - I never have seen water that color before, or since!) I'm always telling DH that we need to go up there. He went to Vancouver a few years ago - very briefly - and wants to go back. He was so impressed with Canada!

Anyway, yes we are all jealous of your lovely fall weather. Those of us down south will get some more summer this week, according to the weather guys. We were teased last week with temps in the 70's, but this IS Texas, after all. I won't mind so much in December when the sun is shining and we aren't shoveling snow!

BTW, I agree with you on the Atlantis thing. It looks really cool, but I think that is way too much $$. And we are in the same boat as your family with 3 kids. I am thinking about going over ourselves and just visiting the Dig and walking around. Can't remember how much that is, but you can buy a day pass to just see the aquariums, not the water park. My kids were all a little freaked about the slide that goes through the shark tank anyway! That way we can say we visited Nassau, then go back and enjoy the ship the rest of the day! I've checked into the dolphin thing, but don't want to book outside Disney in the event the itinerary does change. Guess we better get all that worked out since our booking date is approaching! Hope they still have openings for the rasul!

 

[drag n' fly]

I don't like the cold but the snow is manageable. I do like the change in seasons however. Our Thanksgiving is earlier than yours because we harvest sooner than you. It is normal to get frost at this time of year. By Thanksgiving which is October 13 this year we will have all our annuals pulled and our perennials cut back for winter and our vehicles winterized.

Courtney in addition to mousekeeping and turndown you also get........

The Concierge Cast of the Kilimanjaro Club would like to welcome you to Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Concierge Cast Members are at your service daily from 7:00am - 10:00pm to arrange dining, childcare, transportation and recreational activities. (this was extremely handy as they did all the work and got CRT for us also)

The Kilimanjaro Club lounge is located on the 6th floor overlooking the main lobby and is for the exclusive use of our Concierge and Suite guests.

When visiting the lounge, footwear and swim coverups are suggested.

Concierge rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge are in the deluxe category of rooms (larger with slightly more amenities).

Unique Offerings:

Sunrise Safari Breakfast Adventure is available to concierge guests only. The tour, along the safari ride path, lasts about 45 minutes and includes multiple stops so that you can stand up and take many pictures. Each of the animals along the way is described in great detail, since there is plenty of time. After the Safari, you go to Tusker House for a breakfast buffet which includes both standard American and African items. Each person also gets a FastPass to Kilimanjaro Safari to experience it "the regular way". The Adventure is available on Sunday and Thursdays ($49 per person) (as of 10/05).

Sunset Safari - 1 and a half our safari experience at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, an opportunity to spend time with members from the DAKL animal programs team in a very personal environment. Incredible photo opportunities of the animals and architecture of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge that can only be experienced from our savannas. Your safari will conclude with a true African dining experience at Jiko. Just like the lodges in Africa, a multi-course meal will await you. Be advised it is a preset menu, give you a sampling of various appetizers, entrees, and desserts, and a wine pairing along with each course. Also be advised that all 8 guests on this Safari Experience will be dining together. Offered Monday, Wednesday, Friday (as of 8/2005) -- Guests must be 16 years of age or older. The price for the experience is $150 per person, tax and gratuity included, 48 hour cancellation policy."


LOUNGE OFFERINGS

Macheo (Sunrise Offerings)
6:30 am

For Early Risers, coffee and assorted juices

*****

Miamko (Adventurous Awakenings)
7:00am - 10:30am

Assortment of fresh fruits, juices, pastries and cereals

*****

Vitafunio (Safari Snacks)
11:30am - 3:00pm

Selection of African snacks and beverages

*****

Chai (Afternoon Tea)
3:00pm - 4:30pm

Loose leaf teas, assortment of scones, cookies and biscuits

*****

Kisikusiku (Twilight Offerings)
5:00pm - 7:00pm

Wines, hors d'oeuvres, appetizers from Jiko and Boma

*****

Rehema (Evening Indulgences)
8:00pm - 10:00pm

Fine desserts and premium cordials

 

[drag n' fly]

Annette, thanks for sharing those beautiful pics! I was blessed to take a trip to Alberta when I was 16, and I remember being blown away by how gorgeous it was - even in the summer! We visited Calgary, Banff, Glacier Nat'l Park, Athabasca Falls, Lake Louise (my personal favorite - I never have seen water that color before, or since!) I'm always telling DH that we need to go up there. He went to Vancouver a few years ago - very briefly - and wants to go back. He was so impressed with Canada!

Anyway, yes we are all jealous of your lovely fall weather. Those of us down south will get some more summer this week, according to the weather guys. We were teased last week with temps in the 70's, but this IS Texas, after all. I won't mind so much in December when the sun is shining and we aren't shoveling snow!

BTW, I agree with you on the Atlantis thing. It looks really cool, but I think that is way too much $$. And we are in the same boat as your family with 3 kids. I am thinking about going over ourselves and just visiting the Dig and walking around. Can't remember how much that is, but you can buy a day pass to just see the aquariums, not the water park. My kids were all a little freaked about the slide that goes through the shark tank anyway! That way we can say we visited Nassau, then go back and enjoy the ship the rest of the day! I've checked into the dolphin thing, but don't want to book outside Disney in the event the itinerary does change. Guess we better get all that worked out since our booking date is approaching! Hope they still have openings for the rasul!

DisneyMama27 (don't know your name heehee). This is one of my favourite spots. It is by Lake Louise. It is called Moraine lake and is on the back of a Canadian 20 dollar bill. Those 2 dots you see in the middle ar people canoeing on the lake.

 

[hkatmom]

Drag n Fly -
I wanted to make sure that you had DD turning 7 on the cruise - Hayley and DS - Andrew - will be 21 months on the cruise. My name is Lynda and my husband's name is James. My parents' names are Kay and Tom.

Are any of you scrapbookers? I just love it and wondered if they would be selling a special scrapbook album on board for the cruise? Also, I went to a scrapbook show over the weekend and this company called Keller Creations had some really neat Disney stuff. You can find them on line at acidfree.com.

We are so excited. We will begin our journey towards Florida, three months from today!

 

[TXdeVille]

I don't like the cold but the snow is manageable. I do like the change in seasons however. Our Thanksgiving is earlier than yours because we harvest sooner than you. It is normal to get frost at this time of year. By Thanksgiving which is October 13 this year we will have all our annuals pulled and our perennials cut back for winter and our vehicles winterized.

Courtney in addition to mousekeeping and turndown you also get........

I know it's a long shot but I may try to switch my ressie to Concierge. Do you know if they are savanna view or not?

 

[TXdeVille]

Drag n Fly -

Are any of you scrapbookers? I just love it and wondered if they would be selling a special scrapbook album on board for the cruise? Also, I went to a scrapbook show over the weekend and this company called Keller Creations had some really neat Disney stuff. You can find them on line at acidfree.com.

I'd like to be. Time is of the essence. I've started with some supplies but have to actually get started on pages. I just printed some pictures from our trip in January so I CAN get started. I figured the kids will have their own kids by the time I actually get them done.

 

[brendalee59]

Hello ya'll! Well, I finished our online check in this morning Now all we have to do is print it off, grab our passports, and hit the road. Well, Ok, I guess we should pack first. Is it time to go yet?

Annette, those pictures are beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing a little of your country with us.

Good luck getting an upgrade to concierge Courtney. We are still waitlisted at the Poly. I really hope it comes through, but being Christmas, I'm not holding my breath.

Lynda, I would like to scrap book. But I'm just not patient enough. I'd get started and get tired of it after a couple weeks.. I really admire those that can do it though.

We are booked for the Nassau garden and city tour,but not sure we are going to keep it. We have so much booked for CC,that it almost seems silly to pay money for something we can do on our own for much less. Believe it or not, the twins didn't want to do Atlantis. or even just the Dig. Course they may change their mind, but that's where we are at the moment.

Lindsey's best friend's mother and I are planning a joint Sweet 16 party for them. Found a venue that all are pleased with, and the only dates she has open in Nov are Fridays. If our team gets into the playoffs there will be football games those nights. Now we aren't sure what to do. So I'm looking into other venues. It sure would be great not to have to do anything except crowd control. Oh well, back to the drawing board. You guys have a wonderful day,and I'll catch you later

 

[drag n' fly]

I know it's a long shot but I may try to switch my ressie to Concierge. Do you know if they are savanna view or not?

I dont think so. Maybe check the DVC forum.

 

[drag n' fly]

Drag n Fly -
I wanted to make sure that you had DD turning 7 on the cruise - Hayley and DS - Andrew - will be 21 months on the cruise. My name is Lynda and my husband's name is James. My parents' names are Kay and Tom.

Are any of you scrapbookers? I just love it and wondered if they would be selling a special scrapbook album on board for the cruise? Also, I went to a scrapbook show over the weekend and this company called Keller Creations had some really neat Disney stuff. You can find them on line at acidfree.com.

We are so excited. We will begin our journey towards Florida, three months from today!

Thanks for letting me know. I do have your kids ages listed. I wish I had the talent and patience to scrapbook but.....I don't. I really admire people who can do it because they are so beautiful!

 

[drag n' fly]

oy

 

[AndymanGA]

WOOHOO! REAS booked last week and FINALLY able to book Palo today for Dec 26 at 6.

Anyone know how I can add Flounders for dinner the first night? It wont let me book anything for the first day

 

[TXdeVille]

WOOHOO! REAS booked last week and FINALLY able to book Palo today for Dec 26 at 6.

Anyone know how I can add Flounders for dinner the first night? It wont let me book anything for the first day

What's Flounders?

 

[drag n' fly]

WOOHOO! REAS booked last week and FINALLY able to book Palo today for Dec 26 at 6.

Anyone know how I can add Flounders for dinner the first night? It wont let me book anything for the first day

Flounders is not open the first night.