17 Days of Wishes Come to Life- A Sept. 08 WDW and DCL Adventure 3/27 new link posted
- Thread starter jaycns
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SoonerGirl
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Jay - I just wanted to say, I'm sitting here right now watching Marquette and Notre Dame..........what does a girl who's a fan of both schools do in this situation??? 
For the record, I'm pulling for Marquette
For the record, I'm pulling for Marquette
jaycns
DIS Veteran
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DCL Day 5...Cozumel!
I was really looking forward to this day. As I rolled out of bed, I had a huge smile on my face. It was going to be another day in paradise! Well, another day at Paradise Beach that is...which is my idea of total paradise. **TIP...if you are ever in Cozumel, GO to Paradise Beach. The food, service, beach, views, amenities, fun activities, safety, cleanliness, EVERYTHING is amazing!**
I quickly got dressed (it doesn't take long to throw on a swim suit and cover up), ordered room service (more fruit, donuts, milk, croissants and cheese) and got all of our little guys ready as well. By the time we were all dressed, our room service was there. We ate a quick meal and then I called our dear friends. We would be spending our day in Mexico with them.
Within an hour of opening my eyes, I was putting on sunglasses and walking down the gangplank on to the pier in Mexico. The Disney Magic was right next to The Carnival Legend.
I think that the Disney ship is MUCH more beautiful (then again, I might be a little bit taken with all things Disney).
A magical detail.
The big kids ready to take on Mexico!
It was nice to see the US Coast Guard their as well.
Once down the escalator we ran into the first of many (who knew Mexico was home to so many of them) living statues. While Mr. Friend was searching for a pair of sunglasses (he had lost his while at Castaway Cay on a wave runner), I had a blast watching this statue creep out unsuspecting people who walked past. He would move ever so slightly if they were looking and they would jump. They would jump even higher if they passed close enough for him to reach out and tap them on the shoulder. It was really entertaining.
Before long, Mr. Friend had his glasses and we set off in search of a taxi van to transport us to Paradise Beach. CAUTION: DO NOT BELIEVE THE TAXI DRIVERS..as we were looking for a taxi van two drivers told us it was a rotten, disgusting, dirty, scary place. Had we not already had the chance to see if for ourselves, I probably would have believed them. Instead, they wanted us to go to another beach. Actually it was two separate drivers with two different places they wanted us to go. We watched the signs and noticed that each of the drivers seems to have contracted with a different beach or tourist spot and they seem to try to discourage you from going anywhere else. I smell a big fat kick back behind all of their insistence. It was also funny how the prices differed in what it would cost them to take you there. When we finally found a "Paradise Beach" contract guy (I am only assuming they get kick backs, but if they don't...they have some weird pride in only driving to one beach culture thing going on that I don't understand) he was able to drive us there for about 3/4s of what everyone else quoted. We were also given incorrect information about having to pay for beach chairs, etc when we asked the other drivers. It was an experience to be sure. Either know where you want to go and find a driver who is affiliated with that establishment OR just be willing to trust what the drivers suggest (but realize that they are most likely getting a commission on delivering you to wherever it is they have suggested you go). It was very annoying to have to find the 'right' driver before we could get a decent price and the right information. SO BEWARE, use common sense, they are in it to make their commissions or kick backs or whatever they get from getting you there. If you have researched a place, don't let them deter you from going there. On the flip side, realize that they are making wherever they want you to go sound amazing to get you there (same reasoning).
But our taxi hassles were behind us when we found the same driver we had last time. We couldn't believe our luck! He was actually starting to talk to someone else but we waved and he excused himself and came over and said he remembered us and asked us if we wanted to go to Paradise Beach again! He even noted that our baby was 'new' since our last visit!!! I have NO IDEA how he remembered us but I have a sneaky suspicion it came from that fact that we had tipped him very generously last time we were there. Both dh and Mr. Friend thought they were tipping for everyone in the group and since he had done a great job, both of them had been very free in the tip. A big tip on ten people times two (both thought they had made it clear that they were taking care of the tip) makes you stand out in someone's mind. We were happy to have our 'old friend' driving us again.
Before long we were there!
In this picture, you see the tent they have erected for the taxi drivers to hang out under. It even has free flowing soda and snacks for them. They even have their own music and comfy chairs. Trust me, the beaches/tourist attractions really take care of the taxi drivers. HA HA HA.
In this picture, you can see dh getting our LP out of his travel car seat. But, more importantly you can see the fresh coconuts in the background (yum).
We were led down to our seats by our server for the day.
Our server was very friendly and while not being pushy, he was always there when we needed him to be. The first thing I needed from him was something I had been looking forward to for a L-O-N-G time...ever since the last time we had been there. As I ordered it, I crossed my fingers in hopes that it was even half as good as I had remembered. I was ordering what had last time been my very favorite meal, EVER, Paradise Beach's shrimp cerviche. I was NOT let down! This stuff is beyond good. Eating gigantic fresh shrimp chunks which have been marinated in lime/cilantro/garlic and tossed with fresh red onions and tomatoes while your toes are in the sand and the wide open ocean/puffy clouded sky is there for your viewing pleasure is truly paradise on earth. I dug into the chips (freshly baked and very tasty in and of themselves) and scooped up every last morsel of lime infused shrimp goodness. It was (tied only with my last meal of shrimp cerviche on our last trip) the very best dish I have ever eaten. EVER. No competition.
While I was chowing down, the kids took to the water like fish. They loved the giant inflatable play things! Dh also took advantage of a great deal on para-sailing and took to the air.
The boys ran back and forth and back and forth and back and forth on that 'bridge' between the two trampolines. Stitch was actually very good at it. It looked a lot like the show, Wipe-Out. But they were having fun.
Along with the trampolines, they loved the snorkeling equipment and the sandy beach.
My water baby.
To be continued...
I was really looking forward to this day. As I rolled out of bed, I had a huge smile on my face. It was going to be another day in paradise! Well, another day at Paradise Beach that is...which is my idea of total paradise. **TIP...if you are ever in Cozumel, GO to Paradise Beach. The food, service, beach, views, amenities, fun activities, safety, cleanliness, EVERYTHING is amazing!**
I quickly got dressed (it doesn't take long to throw on a swim suit and cover up), ordered room service (more fruit, donuts, milk, croissants and cheese) and got all of our little guys ready as well. By the time we were all dressed, our room service was there. We ate a quick meal and then I called our dear friends. We would be spending our day in Mexico with them.
Within an hour of opening my eyes, I was putting on sunglasses and walking down the gangplank on to the pier in Mexico. The Disney Magic was right next to The Carnival Legend.
I think that the Disney ship is MUCH more beautiful (then again, I might be a little bit taken with all things Disney).
A magical detail.
The big kids ready to take on Mexico!
It was nice to see the US Coast Guard their as well.
Once down the escalator we ran into the first of many (who knew Mexico was home to so many of them) living statues. While Mr. Friend was searching for a pair of sunglasses (he had lost his while at Castaway Cay on a wave runner), I had a blast watching this statue creep out unsuspecting people who walked past. He would move ever so slightly if they were looking and they would jump. They would jump even higher if they passed close enough for him to reach out and tap them on the shoulder. It was really entertaining.
Before long, Mr. Friend had his glasses and we set off in search of a taxi van to transport us to Paradise Beach. CAUTION: DO NOT BELIEVE THE TAXI DRIVERS..as we were looking for a taxi van two drivers told us it was a rotten, disgusting, dirty, scary place. Had we not already had the chance to see if for ourselves, I probably would have believed them. Instead, they wanted us to go to another beach. Actually it was two separate drivers with two different places they wanted us to go. We watched the signs and noticed that each of the drivers seems to have contracted with a different beach or tourist spot and they seem to try to discourage you from going anywhere else. I smell a big fat kick back behind all of their insistence. It was also funny how the prices differed in what it would cost them to take you there. When we finally found a "Paradise Beach" contract guy (I am only assuming they get kick backs, but if they don't...they have some weird pride in only driving to one beach culture thing going on that I don't understand) he was able to drive us there for about 3/4s of what everyone else quoted. We were also given incorrect information about having to pay for beach chairs, etc when we asked the other drivers. It was an experience to be sure. Either know where you want to go and find a driver who is affiliated with that establishment OR just be willing to trust what the drivers suggest (but realize that they are most likely getting a commission on delivering you to wherever it is they have suggested you go). It was very annoying to have to find the 'right' driver before we could get a decent price and the right information. SO BEWARE, use common sense, they are in it to make their commissions or kick backs or whatever they get from getting you there. If you have researched a place, don't let them deter you from going there. On the flip side, realize that they are making wherever they want you to go sound amazing to get you there (same reasoning).
But our taxi hassles were behind us when we found the same driver we had last time. We couldn't believe our luck! He was actually starting to talk to someone else but we waved and he excused himself and came over and said he remembered us and asked us if we wanted to go to Paradise Beach again! He even noted that our baby was 'new' since our last visit!!! I have NO IDEA how he remembered us but I have a sneaky suspicion it came from that fact that we had tipped him very generously last time we were there. Both dh and Mr. Friend thought they were tipping for everyone in the group and since he had done a great job, both of them had been very free in the tip. A big tip on ten people times two (both thought they had made it clear that they were taking care of the tip) makes you stand out in someone's mind. We were happy to have our 'old friend' driving us again.
Before long we were there!
In this picture, you see the tent they have erected for the taxi drivers to hang out under. It even has free flowing soda and snacks for them. They even have their own music and comfy chairs. Trust me, the beaches/tourist attractions really take care of the taxi drivers. HA HA HA.
In this picture, you can see dh getting our LP out of his travel car seat. But, more importantly you can see the fresh coconuts in the background (yum).
We were led down to our seats by our server for the day.
Our server was very friendly and while not being pushy, he was always there when we needed him to be. The first thing I needed from him was something I had been looking forward to for a L-O-N-G time...ever since the last time we had been there. As I ordered it, I crossed my fingers in hopes that it was even half as good as I had remembered. I was ordering what had last time been my very favorite meal, EVER, Paradise Beach's shrimp cerviche. I was NOT let down! This stuff is beyond good. Eating gigantic fresh shrimp chunks which have been marinated in lime/cilantro/garlic and tossed with fresh red onions and tomatoes while your toes are in the sand and the wide open ocean/puffy clouded sky is there for your viewing pleasure is truly paradise on earth. I dug into the chips (freshly baked and very tasty in and of themselves) and scooped up every last morsel of lime infused shrimp goodness. It was (tied only with my last meal of shrimp cerviche on our last trip) the very best dish I have ever eaten. EVER. No competition.
While I was chowing down, the kids took to the water like fish. They loved the giant inflatable play things! Dh also took advantage of a great deal on para-sailing and took to the air.
The boys ran back and forth and back and forth and back and forth on that 'bridge' between the two trampolines. Stitch was actually very good at it. It looked a lot like the show, Wipe-Out. But they were having fun.
Along with the trampolines, they loved the snorkeling equipment and the sandy beach.
My water baby.
To be continued...
jaycns
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2005
- Messages
- 6,953
An iceberg in Mexico.
Dh and Stitch were very excited to make it to the top.
And the reason why the fresh coconuts mattered...the wonderful COCO LOCO! YUMMY!! Rum and coconuts and who knows what else combined to make icy goodness.
Snow White's hair braids.
After spending almost five hours at the beach, we were baked and drained. It was time to head back to our floating home. Along the way, we decided that a few of us would like to go shopping. Our wonderful taxi driver was great about dropping Mr. Friend, Dh, our LP and Goofy off at the pier while taking the rest of us to a shop he 'highly recommended'. He told us to mention his name and that they would take care of us. I have no idea what the store was called, I don't even know that it had a name over it's door. It did however boast some very good deals. I had wanted to find a nativity set while on vacation. I have a big Willow Tree one that I use in our living room...but I wanted a small one that I could put on the mantle in our family room as well. It was in this store that I found the perfect small clay nativity set. I got the complete 20 piece set for under $10 (US). It was a great deal! I was very happy about it. Before we bought, we walked up and down the street and even did a bit of haggling with the other merchants but the prices at this one store were the best we found. We loaded up on typical tourist stuff (and my nativity set) and then we walked back to the ship. We noted that the closer to the pier we got, the higher the prices went. They were highest in the mall surrounding the pier. For 'name brand' stuff, I would stick to the mall but for touristy clay pieces, shells, blankets, t-shirts, trinkets, sombreros (I picked up a huge, fancy one for Goofy for $12), wind chimes, post cards, magnets, wooden animals and all of that other kitschy type stuff, I would highly recommend walking a few blocks down. Great deals were not hard to find!
Here are my partners in shopping. Stitch and Aladdin. Notice how dark the skies are getting. Within a few minutes of us boarding the ship, the rains started to pour down!
To be continued...
Dh and Stitch were very excited to make it to the top.
And the reason why the fresh coconuts mattered...the wonderful COCO LOCO! YUMMY!! Rum and coconuts and who knows what else combined to make icy goodness.
Snow White's hair braids.
After spending almost five hours at the beach, we were baked and drained. It was time to head back to our floating home. Along the way, we decided that a few of us would like to go shopping. Our wonderful taxi driver was great about dropping Mr. Friend, Dh, our LP and Goofy off at the pier while taking the rest of us to a shop he 'highly recommended'. He told us to mention his name and that they would take care of us. I have no idea what the store was called, I don't even know that it had a name over it's door. It did however boast some very good deals. I had wanted to find a nativity set while on vacation. I have a big Willow Tree one that I use in our living room...but I wanted a small one that I could put on the mantle in our family room as well. It was in this store that I found the perfect small clay nativity set. I got the complete 20 piece set for under $10 (US). It was a great deal! I was very happy about it. Before we bought, we walked up and down the street and even did a bit of haggling with the other merchants but the prices at this one store were the best we found. We loaded up on typical tourist stuff (and my nativity set) and then we walked back to the ship. We noted that the closer to the pier we got, the higher the prices went. They were highest in the mall surrounding the pier. For 'name brand' stuff, I would stick to the mall but for touristy clay pieces, shells, blankets, t-shirts, trinkets, sombreros (I picked up a huge, fancy one for Goofy for $12), wind chimes, post cards, magnets, wooden animals and all of that other kitschy type stuff, I would highly recommend walking a few blocks down. Great deals were not hard to find!
Here are my partners in shopping. Stitch and Aladdin. Notice how dark the skies are getting. Within a few minutes of us boarding the ship, the rains started to pour down!
To be continued...
jaycns
DIS Veteran
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- Nov 19, 2005
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- 6,953
Looks like they pulled out the win! Having gone there, it's always my VERY FAVORITE team! I cannot cheer for anyone playing against them...it would feel very wrong.Jay - I just wanted to say, I'm sitting here right now watching Marquette and Notre Dame..........what does a girl who's a fan of both schools do in this situation???
For the record, I'm pulling for Marquette
HA HA HA
Lifelong_Dreamer
DIS Legend
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Cozumel and Paradise Beach look wonderful, great tip about the taxi drivers.
SoonerGirl
DIS Veteran
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Looks like they pulled out the win! Having gone there, it's always my VERY FAVORITE team! I cannot cheer for anyone playing against them...it would feel very wrong.
They did pull out the win! It was a good game. We're iced in so I've been watching basketball all night, after the Marquette game I got to see my Sooners beat our in state rival, so it's been a good night!
Paradise Beach looks incredible! So pretty and so many fun things to do!
disneydusted
DIS Veteran
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- Jan 17, 2008
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Jay, what a perfect day in paradise!!! 
Your day in Cozumel is my idea of bliss! The beach, the water, the yummy food, seeing everyone enjoying the beach, shopping in local stores.... very fun!! I'm glad you knew the ropes with the taxi drivers and actually found your former dirver! No wonder he remembered you guys!!
Your day in Cozumel is my idea of bliss! The beach, the water, the yummy food, seeing everyone enjoying the beach, shopping in local stores.... very fun!! I'm glad you knew the ropes with the taxi drivers and actually found your former dirver! No wonder he remembered you guys!! 
troobabiee7
The core of man's spirit comes from new experience
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Loved the update! Paradise Beach really does look like paradise. I love how many fun things they had to climb and jump on in the water, so cool!
starlight_003
Mouseketeer
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Nice pictues of Paradise Beach. Looks like fun.
GiGiJoeysMom
Mouseketeer
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- Jul 20, 2007
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Lurking no more. I have been reading all along and I just love your report. I am even thinking about printing the cruise portion, so I can save it for when my family can finally take the cruise, because I do not want to forget any of your suggestions.
Your boys are beautiful.
Your boys are beautiful.
Illini4ever
Travel Bug
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- Oct 14, 2007
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- 78
Okay Jay you sold me.....my family has to take a Disney cruise. I don't care how much more it cost, we have to do it. Everything you describe my kids would just love. Paradise beach looked so incredible. Your pictures were fantastic and I loved how you labeled where everyone was. Those are just warm fuzzy moments laying on the beach watching your family have fun in the water. Aaaah
We are going on a cruise in 2010 for my parent's wedding anniversary celebration with Royal Caribbean. So I'm thinking 2011 we'll be sailing on a disney cruise. I heard something about them building two new ships. Do you know anything about that? Did you book directly with the cruiseline?
We are going on a cruise in 2010 for my parent's wedding anniversary celebration with Royal Caribbean. So I'm thinking 2011 we'll be sailing on a disney cruise. I heard something about them building two new ships. Do you know anything about that? Did you book directly with the cruiseline?
Roxychica7
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Oh gosh I LOVE the beach pics and especially the tags on everyone (the first one in particular as DH is sailing away!) 
retiredkid
<font color=blue>Your shots make me want to try ag
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Great updates, as always. I'm loving the tags too!
We didn't go on any excursions, just walked around shopping.
Paradise Beach looks like a must do the next time.
We didn't go on any excursions, just walked around shopping.
Paradise Beach looks like a must do the next time.
lazydoxy66
Live, love, and laugh!
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LP looks so cute with his cake!!
Paradise Beach looks very nice. I love the picture of the kids all doing there own thing out in the water. I'm dreaming about that beach as the snow is piling up outside. How I would love to be there this very minute.
Terrific info. and great update!
Paradise Beach looks very nice. I love the picture of the kids all doing there own thing out in the water. I'm dreaming about that beach as the snow is piling up outside. How I would love to be there this very minute.
Terrific info. and great update!
momoftriplets
DIS Veteran
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We discovered the same thing when DH & I were there. A pair of earrings was $30 cheaper just a few blocks away. Vendors close to the pier wouldn't even consider an alternate price. So we walked away.
Paradise Beach looks like a blast. Too much fun.
*Tacky question alert* How much was the hair braiding? IIRC, you had it done on a previous trip, too. Just curious. When we finally get there, DD#1 will want that done & I need to know how many pennies SHE should start saving.
Still loving it.
B
IWISHFORDISNEY
<font color=darkorchid>Cant get enough of the mous
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That sounds like a great beach day. Those are some really great tips you gave out!!! Keeping them in my mental notebook. Dont you just love hageling (sp) for goods. I love a good deal. Those water toys look like a blast. Yummo on the the food and drink. 
momrek06
DIS Veteran
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JAY JAY....FAB pictures!!! LP is absolutely adorable as he celebrates his first 
birthday with a POOH 
cake!!!! 
Ahhh...all your smiles as you all enjoy your wonderful day at Paradise Beach!!!
Are those ticker's new in your siggy, JAY?? If I am doing my math correctly...STITCH and I have the same birthday!!!! 03/06!!! See the "06" in my username...yup for my day!!!
birthday with a POOH cake!!!! Ahhh...all your smiles as you all enjoy your wonderful day at Paradise Beach!!!
Are those ticker's new in your siggy, JAY?? If I am doing my math correctly...STITCH and I have the same birthday!!!! 03/06!!! See the "06" in my username...yup for my day!!! 
John's Mom
Jambo Wildbunch Gang
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Jay,
Great trip updates and pictures!
Each day seems like it was such a great adventure for your family. So many wonderful memories for you.
Great trip updates and pictures!
Each day seems like it was such a great adventure for your family. So many wonderful memories for you.
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