2/01/03 Western

[BABYJOSIE98]

I found a website that gave some good information on Beaches to visit in Cozumel.

Hope this helps a bit. I printed some information from this website for my folder.

For the actual beach page use:

www.lococozumel.com/research/beaches.html

 

[Gina]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

Hope your day was magical. I would love to get $175 Disney Dollars for my birthday!!!

Here's to many more happy birthdays for you!!

hugs,
-gina-

 

[micKIM mouse]

When we did the Eastern Cruise in February 2001, it was cold on Embarkation Day. We had spent a few days at WDW and then went straight to the port. I am so glad I did have a sweatshirt b/c the first day was cold until we got off of the coast.

One more thing-if you are going to WDW for a few days, I would highly recommend the PassPorter. I just got the deluxe version for a late birthday gift (it has been backordered since June) and it is the best WDW planner I have used! I tend to buy a new one every year (my husband thinks I am crazy), but I really like the Passporter more than the Birnbaum books! I also read on the PassPorter website that they are coming out with a cruise version in January. Knowing me I will still buy it even though everything is already planned!! You can NEVER plan too much!!

 

[akterrye]

BABYJOSIE98: A belated Happy Birthday! Wow, your 34! Me too! How cool is that? Congrats on the major score on disney dollars! On embarktion day, dress comfy cuz you'll have the life boat drill at 4:00pm. It was HOT the last time we did it, and we were directly in the sun, not to mention all the other hot bodies sardined next to us. *ick* I would suggest shorts, t-shirt, and sunglasses. Then, you can always change for dinner.

micKIM mouse: Ok, explain a Passporter and can I pick it up at my local Walden's Books? "You can NEVER plan too much!!" Now why can't everyone think like that?!

Gina? Gina? Anyone seen Gina?

 

[micKIM mouse]

A PassPorter is a very comprehensive WDW planning guide. It has pockets for each day of your trip that you can record budget info, thoughts of the trip, reservation #s and then store your receipts. Check out http://www.passporter.com/wdw/.

They will do a much better job explaining it. I liked the park part and the dining part. They even have park maps in there. You can also check the rides/attractions that you want to do and carry that page in the pocket with you to the park. I wouldn't carry the whole book to the park with me, but I would take the essential pages. There are 2 versions--spiral and deluxe binder. I got the binder, so I could put my stuff in it. Let me know what you think!

 

[Gina]

Originally posted by akterrye
BABYJOSIE98: A belated Happy Birthday! Wow, your 34! Me too! How cool is that?

Okay, y'all need to quit talking about being 34, because I turn 36 in less than a month, and I am less than happy about it!! LOL!

On embarktion day, dress comfy cuz you'll have the life boat drill at 4:00pm. It was HOT the last time we did it, and we were directly in the sun, not to mention all the other hot bodies sardined next to us. *ick*

Just another reason I love being on deck 5 aft... our muster station is sitting down in the nice cool Animator's Palate.

micKIM mouse: Ok, explain a Passporter and can I pick it up at my local Walden's Books? "You can NEVER plan too much!!" Now why can't everyone think like that?!

I don't know how *anyone* goes to WDW without a PassPorter!! LOL!!! For the organizationally challenged, such as myself, the PassPorter is a lifesaver. I've been using them since they first came out a few years ago, and they just make life so much easier. Plus, the resort descriptions and maps and restaurant info are the best in the guidebook biz. PLUS, it doubles as a journal... and makes remembering and trip-report writing a lot easier when you get back. And get this -- they're supposed to be coming out with a cruise version!! Don't know when, though... I think I'll email Jennifer and find out.

Gina? Gina? Anyone seen Gina?

*Waving* I'm here!! Just been way busy. I still can't decide on where to go in Cozumel... I'm still leaning towards Playa Sol, because there's just more to do. TD, at his age, is all about action.

I've been trolling eBay for more cruise wear... I got a bunch of things that way last year, and was really happy with everything. I just hope TD doesn't grow any more between now and February! LOL!

Well, back to work for me... hope everyone is having a good week!

-gina-

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

Akterrye & Gina,

Thanks for the Birthday wishes!! I am very happy about my Disney dollars!! They can pay for my massage and some drinks!!

Right now we are on Deck 2 outside room-midship. I am wishing for an up grade from Disney to an upper deck. I see that the cost of our cruise has really increased and so I was thinking that they may want to make some more room on the lower decks. I hear those go first.

Never thought about buying clothes on E-bay. Still been catching sales at the local stores.

Have a good day!

 

[Gina]

Originally posted by BABYJOSIE98
Never thought about buying clothes on E-bay. Still been catching sales at the local stores.

I got a bunch of stuff for the last cruise that way! My dress for formal night was an eBay win -- Knee length, dark purple, fully beaded all over, and so pretty! And only $17. And I got silver flats to match the silvery beads from eBay for all of $8. I also got a couple of tropical-print short sets for $7 each, but my big win was a suit for Tyler Dean for formal night. Dark blue, 3 piece plus a white shirt, all for $15. He looked soooooo handsome! That was the only formal portrait I bought, he in his suit in front of Lumiere's.

I love eBay!!

-gina-

 

[micKIM mouse]

We are also on Deck 2 with an outside room. I actually chose that deck because we have stayed there two other times and loved it! It is so easy to get to the restaurants, shops, and shows. You don't have to wait for the slow elevators either! Hopefully you will enjoy Deck 2!

 

[akterrye]

Man...on my drive into school this afternoon, the clouds parted briefly and guess what I saw! Termination dust (the first snow of the year - terminating summer). It's about 1/3 of the way down the mountains...looks like we have about a month left until we have to deal with the icky white stuff. *sigh* I'm SO ready to board the ship NOW! I've been trying to figure out a way to plant palm trees in my house...I killed the last one. The only plant I haven't been able to kill has been the cactus...but that just doesn't inspire tropical daydreams the way swaying palms do. Ok, I'm nuts.

I loved deck two! It was so quiet and peaceful down there....most of the time. The only draw back I found was the muster station outside on deck 4...but what's a 45 minute inconvience?

Acting on the ebay tips, I have spent a good portion of this morning (instead of studying) bidding on cruise wear for the guys...Dan has been instructed not to grow, even an inch until we get back from the cruise. I already have a ton of cruise wear, but I'm afraid they won't fit by the time we leave, so I'm gonna have to buy more...what a bummer!!! whoohoo!!!

Somebody sit on me and make me do my homework or I'll never get to go on vacation!

Kim: thanks for the tip on the passporter...Gina, I haven't been to WDW since '91! I hope the cruise version comes out BEFORE our cruise.

BTW, have you noticed that each of our count down clocks are different?! LOL

 

[sitchu2]

Hi All,

BabyJosie98 A very happy belated birthday to you.

Looks like we are all in the same age group, I am 35 but will be 36 the day after Christmas.

I was on the 4 day cruise in March, and was uncomfortably hot at the lifeboat drill , I would deffinately rather wear light clothes on embarkation.

I had a passporter for the first time for my last trip and I read it from cover to cover. It was by far the most comprehensive guide I have read, but I liked it so much I didnt use the passpockets because I didnt want to mess it up, I just made a daily Itinerary in a composition book and tore out those pages daily. Ill probably break down and use it for this upcomming trip though.

I used the coupon in the book for my transfers with Tiffany towncar and the service was wonderful, I will be using them again when needed. They transfer to the port as well as wdw.

Terr, stay warm up there!!!!

Take care all Felicia 140 Days 16 Hrs 10 Mins 42 Secs

 

[micKIM mouse]

I did notice all of the countdown clocks were different, but I think it is because we all leave on different days. I set mine for January 31st because we will arrive at WDW that day...it counts in my book!! I can't believe you are already seeing snow, Terrye. That is soooooo hard to believe!!

 

[akterrye]

Kim, here is what the mountains look like:
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I'm going to have to re-adjust my counter now that we're going down a couple days early Can't wait!

Thanks, Felicia....buy stock in hot chocolate...I'm gonna live on it for the next 6 months!

 

[Gina]

Terrye, you're killing me!!! Snow??? Last time I saw snow was on Main Street during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. You can always tell the Southerners then -- we're the ones running around acting like idiots, going "Oh my God!! Snow!!" even though we know it's not real. It's still as close as we'll get. It's 94 here today... wanna trade yet?? Oh, and I could send you some hot chocolate if you like... my dad worked for Nestle for a long time, and I still have soooooo much hot chocolate -- every flavor and type you can imagine. Since we only have about 3 days a year that warrant making the stuff, it doesn't get used up very fast.

Re: countdown clocks
I couldn't decide what to set mine to, so I ended up just setting it for the day we sail. But if everybody is going to change theirs to the day they're leaving, then I'll do that too! Peer pressure, peer pressure.

Felicia -- If you go to WDW even once every couple of years, spend the extra $$ and get the deluxe PassPorter. I *love* mine!! For each trip, I just order a new set of pockets, which runs about $6. And since they constantly update info and make the new pages available on their website, all you have to do is print them out, punch holes in them, and put them right into the PassPorter. Plus, I love the credit card slots, pen loop, and the snap closure -- I'm able to carry everything around with me by just tossing the whole thing in my backpack. To make it lighter, I take out everything but the pocket for that day, and any related pages. Can you tell I love the thing?? LOL!

I have been following the thread about what to bring... people have mentioned stuff I never thought of!! I love the idea of binoculars... we could see islands off in the distance as we passed, and it would have been neat to see them through binoculars. I think that when someone asks me what they can get Tyler Dean for Christmas this year, I'm going to suggest an inexpensive pair of binoculars. And I didn't know about Bath & Body Works having little concentrated bottles of air freshener! If they have some sort of coconut scent, I am buying a truckload. Going to the mall tonight, I think!!

Everyone have a great Friday!

-gina-

 

[cruisinpenguin]

Terrye.....I can believe you have snow all ready!! WOW!! I love snow....but this is a little early. Yesterday we had some strong wind here in Massachusetts (near Cape Cod) left overs fun the hurricane. They say Sunday we might encounter a hurricane? We'll see..... Well have a great weekend all!!
Laurie

Oh PS your picture of the mountains didn't post? Can you send it again

 

[akterrye]

Originally posted by cruisinpenguin
Oh PS your picture of the mountains didn't post? Can you send it again

Laurie, ya nut! A hurricane?! I'll keep my fingers and maybe some toes crossed for ya!

MMMmmmmm...hot chocolate...I usually make two mugs of it...one to drink and one to dip my toes in...OK, I don't really, but I've thought about it...

The snow is actually late this year (whoohoo!), it should have been on the mountains by the last week of August. Denver has been getting snow at the 11,000 foot elevation. They really need the snow, they were VERY dry this year...I'm planning on sending them half of our snow. The rest of it, I'm sending to Gina!

You can always tell the Southerners then -- we're the ones running around acting like idiots, going "Oh my God!! Snow!!" even though we know it's not real.

Gina: Re: countdown clocks - if you DO change your clock, you'll be popular! I know *I'LL* like you more! LOL

Binoculars are a great idea - I'll have to remember to snag the pair I keep in my glove box before jumping on the plane! Last time, we took a small, inexpensive telescope to star gaze...only problem - we were so tired by the time they turned off the lights on deck 10, we never made it up there to look at the stars!

 

[Cyberkashi]

we were so tired by the time they turned off the lights on deck 10, we never made it up there to look at the stars!

Do they still do that? We were on top deck during the wee hours just for star gazing and the ship lights were so bright we couldn't see a thing. That was Aug '02. Either we weren't there late enough (after 3am) or they changed their policy.

 

[akterrye]

Originally posted by Cyberkashi
Do they still do that? We were on top deck during the wee hours just for star gazing and the ship lights were so bright we couldn't see a thing. That was Aug '02. Either we weren't there late enough (after 3am) or they changed their policy.

You guys just got back?! "Aug '02" Wasn't that just last month?

Looking through past posts, it looks like they no longer turn off the lights on the top deck. We were taking DS for a late night swim one evening when they turned off the lights on us...he loved swimming in the dark and looking up at the stars. We were just too tired to run back to the cabin, grab the telescope and then go back up. That was the only evening I remember them turning off the lights...the rest of the time we had crashed by that time...I think it was around midnight or there abouts.

But, I did read a post from cruisedad that stated deck 7 secret verandah and in front of Palo's seems to be the best places. I'm planning on giving it a try...it'll be nice to star gaze without freezing to death!

 

[Cyberkashi]

You guys just got back?! "Aug '02" Wasn't that just last month?

Yes. We booked the Feb 03 cruise before we finished unpacking!

Thanks for the tip about deck seven. We were looking for a dark spot and couldn't find one.

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

I am looking forward to Fall and Halloween!!! Not SNOW Akterrye!! That would depress me this early in the season. I do like snow,but only at Christmas and then it can leave. Jan and Feb are always the longest ugliest months for us in the Midwest. I think this cruise will be at the perfect time to break up the Winter season.

I did hit the mall again this weekend and got some more great deals for the DH. I have enough stuff,but did get one more pair of cute sandals since they were on clearance. So I think that we are set!!

Time is going to quickly!!!! Once the Holidays hit.......Time flies!

Hubby got laid off from his Job two weeks ago!!eek

So we are praying he gets on another Job soon!!!! "Commercial Construction". Don't want to go into winter without something lined up. I told him that he better find something cause I am NOT
canceling this cruise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am staying positive and I think things will be ok. He has some good leads!!

Ok,better work!! Have a good day all!!