12/29/07 Western - New Year's Eve

[WiscBill]

Maureen:

Thanks for letting me know that it will work for you guys.

I hope this day and time will work for everyone. If anyone has not pm'd me their names and SR #'s, please do ASAP.

Noel

Works for us. DW will be scuba diving that day, so she will definitely be ready for a low key get together that night. We are still hoping to switch to early seating, so we may have to leave early.

 

[GreenAcres]

We at the GreenAcres homestead are so unbelievably excited. We'll be thrilled to meet everyone on the first.

It's hard to get into the Christmas spirit when it's almost 80 degrees, but we're doing what we can....at least we'll be aclimated to the tropical weather, right? And we won't have to worry about getting our shorts out of winter storage since we're wearing them now.

In case I don't make it back to post again....

Happy Holidays!

Lisa

 

[birkner]

Noel,

Count us in. We don't have anything planned in GC after our Nautilus Snorkel and Sub excursion first thing in the morning.

BTW -- if any of you have good ideas for things to do in GC that can be casually arranged. My family likes to not have everything preplanned and tied to an itinerary by the OC Vacation planning dad. But if I have a few dining, relaxing, shopping ideas in my head I can be planning and not look like it...

Thanks again (is it really only three weeks away -- we have literally not started any family level planning yet -- too busy with school, band, church, kids, work, travel, family, neighborhood, Christmas, et. al.)

Jim:

Glad you think the date will work for you and your family.

I subscribe to the GC weekly newsletter at:
http://www.caymanislands.ky/default.aspx

There are some interesting things on that site to do that you might want to check out.


Also, here is some beach info on GC, that my friend sent to me:

GC - there are 2 popular beach spots, 7 Mile Beach and Rum Point. 7 Mile Beach is close to the port and a cab can be easily found at the port, as well as at the beach to take you back. I believe they may charge per person, around $5, each way. Always know the price Before getting into a cab (and that goes for anywhere in the world). There are several nice spots on 7 mile and you can get recommendations on cruise critic, but I hear there is a nice area called Public Beach, which is on 7 mile beach. You can rent things on the beach and they have public restrooms that are supposed to be clean, and food to purchase as well. Sounds very doable on your own. If you look on a map, Rum Point is on the farthest tip of the island, so it takes a while to get there. I am not sure what a cab costs, but I am sure it is a lot more $$$. It is supposed to be nicer than 7 mile, but I am sure they both have their pluses and minuses. Disney has an excursion that goes to Stingray City as well as Rum Point, and includes lunch. You can book the same excursion through a private company and also get a stop at the Barrier Reef for snorkeling. It also includes lunch, the stingrays and rum point - here is a link http://www.nativewaywatersports.com/tours.htm - they have great reviews from others and they keep their boats to only 25 passengers; which I assume is much smaller than what Disney does. They also have other trips that include the stingrays, and they are less expensive than Disney. We were going to use this company but decided to go with a private boat for just the 5 of us. Here is the link for that - http://www.grandcaymancruiseexcursio...ageEcoTour.htm - (thanks to WaveGirl for directing us here) it is more expensive of course, but it is our big splurge excursion for the trip. Others have also suggested Captain Marvin's for private charters - but I prefer smaller groups on the boat, but here is the link if you are interested - http://www.captainmarvins.com/

 

[birkner]

Works for us. DW will be scuba diving that day, so she will definitely be ready for a low key get together that night. We are still hoping to switch to early seating, so we may have to leave early.

Bill:

I am happy that you guys will be able to make the get together. Look forward to meeting you and your family.

Noel

 

[birkner]

We at the GreenAcres homestead are so unbelievably excited. We'll be thrilled to meet everyone on the first.

It's hard to get into the Christmas spirit when it's almost 80 degrees, but we're doing what we can....at least we'll be acclimated to the tropical weather, right? And we won't have to worry about getting our shorts out of winter storage since we're wearing them now.

In case I don't make it back to post again....

Happy Holidays!

Lisa

Lisa:

I am very happy you and your family will be able to make the get together! I wish it were 80 degree here as I prefer the heat!!

Happy Holidays to you and your family if you don't make it back to the boards before Christmas.

Noel

 

[mrsyakitori]

I checked the cruise itinerary on the DCL cruise website which indicates we will be in Grand Cayman until 4:30 PM. If this is correct, perhaps we can plan for a get together around 4:45 PM or so on Tuesday, January 1, 2008.

That sounds great! It will be so nice to "know" some people on the ship.

-Ann

 

[Caitsmama]

That timeframe should work fine for me too noel!

 

[birkner]

That sounds great! It will be so nice to "know" some people on the ship.

-Ann

Ann:

Sounds good. I hope we will meet everyone before the cruise in the terminal or at the sailway. Look for us with our green leis!!

Have a very Merry Christmas!!

Noel

 

[birkner]

That timeframe should work fine for me too noel!

Stacy:

I am glad the timing will work for you and your family. Let's hope we all get to meet each other either in the terminal or at the sailaway.

Noel

 

[birkner]

Ok gang, since this date and time seems to work for everyone, let me see if I can organize some sort of snacks and drinks for the get together. Any preferences on snacks or drinks? Please post what families like so I know what to order.

 

[birkner]

I almost forgot to post the most exciting news I received on Friday in an email from my TA as follows:

Hi Noel,

I’ve just called Disney to check on your cruise docs for this month’s Magic cruise. Your docs were printed today and will be shipped from Disney to our home office either today or Monday. I’ll check on Tuesday to see what the status is, but I’ve already alerted our H.O. to FedEx the docs to you as soon as they receive them and check them for accuracy.

I’ll keep you posted.

Have a great day,

Darlene

 

[halfan]

Sounds great, Noel!

Count us in, too.

Can't wait to meet everybody.

Can we leave tomorrow?

Mike C

 

[birkner]

Sounds great, Noel!

Count us in, too.

Can't wait to meet everybody.

Can we leave tomorrow?

Mike C

Mike:

Don't I wish it was December 20, my date to leave for WDW!!! See you soon!!

Noel

 

[Caitsmama]

Noel, as for snacks and drinks.. i am very flexible.. I will have whatever is convienent.

 

[birkner]

Noel, as for snacks and drinks.. i am very flexible.. I will have whatever is convienent.

Thanks for responding. I just wanted to know if the kids want sodas or juice and what the adults want to drink. Plus what types of snack foods people like for themselves and their kids.

I can work with the concierge but I need an idea of what people like. Don't go by me as I don't drink coke, pepsi or soft drinks except ginger ale so need some guidelines.

 

[pit303]

Ok gang, since this date and time seems to work for everyone, let me see if I can organize some sort of snacks and drinks for the get together. Any preferences on snacks or drinks? Please post what families like so I know what to order.

Noel,
Anything you get will be great! Just meeting e/o will be the best part. Just think 3 weeks from tonight is New Years Eve where did the year go??

 

[Caitsmama]

Well, as far as kids go, my dd is into cheese and crackers, cookies, etc. She is just not a fan of pretzels. She will drink either coke/diet coke/ pepsi.. whatever. As will i. (or harder stuff.. ) j/k. Seriously, i am sure whatever the concierge can come up with will be fine.. just meeting and chatting with all of you in *person* will be great!!

I know... 3 weeks NYE.. Yikes. Then, it will be downhill after.. LOL Glad i booked a second cruise already.. LOL

 

[pit303]

Well, as far as kids go, my dd is into cheese and crackers, cookies, etc. She is just not a fan of pretzels. She will drink either coke/diet coke/ pepsi.. whatever. As will i. (or harder stuff.. ) j/k. Seriously, i am sure whatever the concierge can come up with will be fine.. just meeting and chatting with all of you in *person* will be great!!

I know... 3 weeks NYE.. Yikes. Then, it will be downhill after.. LOL Glad i booked a second cruise already.. LOL

I know what you mean I am so glad that we are already booked on another cruise thinking about booking another one while on board will see what is available.

 

[birkner]

Well, as far as kids go, my dd is into cheese and crackers, cookies, etc. She is just not a fan of pretzels. She will drink either coke/diet coke/ pepsi.. whatever. As will i. (or harder stuff.. ) j/k. Seriously, i am sure whatever the concierge can come up with will be fine.. just meeting and chatting with all of you in *person* will be great!!

I know... 3 weeks NYE.. Yikes. Then, it will be downhill after.. LOL Glad i booked a second cruise already.. LOL

Thanks for some suggestions. I am sure GK's will have some also but wanted some from the group at large.

We have the WB Panama Canal cruise booked and that's it for awhile as DH's startup will keep him pretty busy for awhile.

Noel

 

[birkner]

I sent out reminder pm's this morning for the following DIS members to send me names and/or room numbers so I can send out invites to remind everyone for the get together on 1/01/08 at 4:45 PM.

Inga
Tigger&Bubba
MellieR
Resa
Fawn
pcjmom
MarcyInFlorida
halfan
bobandkevin
bullseyebaby

If I missed anyone, please pm me with family names and SR numbers for the list.

DH is going to make name badges for everyone as it is always hard to remember names. We will have to assign one of the GK's to hand out the badges and have a few extra for those who don't pm me back.

DH is also making us family business cards so we can hand them out on the cruise. This is the fun part for him!!


Noel