2004-01-31 Western Cruise Afterglow

[OKWMEMBER]

I had to get the snow blower out yesterday! We had about a foot of snow in the driveway when I got home!

You are very welcome, Nikki. I thought the hats worked out real well and I appreciate how everybody paid on a timely basis. It was a pleasure arranging it, especially after they were received so enthusiastically!

The closing of the Disney Store was a sad thing last night. All the CM's were there and we took several group pictures. They said I shpuld watch the Disney EBAY site for the store decorations.

Gails says she's ready to go back to the Magic after the commute yesterday.

HADD!!!

 

[The4OfUs]

It's STILL snowing here, although it's going to end up only about 10 inches or so for my area...the driving was horrible and I'm angry at our school superintendant because he took until 6am to decide to delay 2 hours when everyone else around us is closed. I feel he's putting the kids, and the teachers who drive long distances, at risk...the roads are NOT treated and the sidewalks are buried and this is beyond idiotic.

Funny to hear a mom want her kids to have a snow day, huh. *grin*

Dorie, where did you try to put the photos? Did you try an online album like snapfish.com or ofoto.com?

 

[dizdadof2]

Pictures would be great. I'll email after the snow is gone! Shovelling snow is not as much fun as sand.

A question for the group - my 4 year old daughter came back from the cruise with a rash that is not going away. The Doctors have tried various creams but no luck. At first it was scarlet fever, then strep throat. Anyone else have any rashes? I am getting tired of hearing that it doesn't seem to be bothering her.

Mike

 

[jedokids]

I posted the photos at a Kodak site and they let you email them to friends and family. I thought I could just copy and paste the web address for the pictures. It only worked for a little while!?? Its easier to email them I guess!

 

[auntrenae]

Mike and all who are interested,
First, Hi! My hard drive died and I've been without a 'puter for 2 weeks! AAArrrggghhhh!!!

OK, here goes, As far as I know, Coronado Spgs. resort does not have internet access in the rooms, sorry...

Last night, as a test, Disney asked all Cast members who work at Port Orleans to spend a night at the French Quarter and eat dinner and breakfast there. (big sacrifice, I know) We had a wonderful time and the rooms have all been newly re-done with BEAUTIFUL results! I kid you not, they were as nice as the ones in the Polynesian. I would choose FQ over one of the more expensive resorts any time. The restaurant in the FQ is a really nice food court with great Philly cheesteak sandwiches and many other goodies. Breakfast was sort of disappointing, except for the Beignets in the bakery. It was my first time tasting them, and they were great. The grounds are beautiful and the pool is gorgeous. There is a boat that goes from downtown Disney to the riverwalk and is easy to take.

Come on down and enjoy our version of New Orleans and enjoy!

NOTE: this was not an advertizement, just a very happy cast member. Any questions???

Janice, I hope you are doing better!

Everyone else, I miss you and I miss my personal ship!!!

Renae

 

[auntrenae]

Hi again,
I just had to tell you a funny dream I had last night when I was at the FQ.

It started with a stockholders meeting with Michael Eisner. He said in lieu of his $300 million in severance he would take the Magic instead. Everyone was ticked off! I asked him what he was going to do with it and he said he was going to dip it in the coldest ocean he could find until it shrunk to yacht size... I know, it's a dream, but really! Anyway, he was going to paint it battleship gray, remove all the cabins and turn it into a gambling ship with day trips to outside the 12 mile line. I was really mad at him and said he was a total loser. After that, I woke up feeling really glad I had said what I really thought... make of it what you will, dreams can be really amazing in what they reveal about what we think... at least it's safe to say that to his face in a dream...

take care everybody,
Renae

 

[dizdadof2]

Thanks for the information Ranae,

I hope CSR has high speed internet The company I am working for phoned down and checked and have moved 8 of my days at Disney to CSR just to get the high speed access to me. I did keep the last 2 days that are mine at the POFQ.

I wonder what Mickey thinks of the $300M pay out

See you soon Ranae



Mike

 

[auntrenae]

Mike,

I bet since your company checked out Coronado Spgs. that it does have high speed. I found out from a cast member that they had recently refurbished the rooms there too, so it should be really nice. They were a little run down when I was there last June, but he said it had been done as nice as FQ since then, so it should be fun for you. Their main pool has a pyramid in it, and it's beautiful. There are hammocks around the edges of the lake too, really relaxing. They have a restaurant that is unique in that it's kind of like a cross between a market and a food court. You go around to different places to order, and pick up fruit and things like at a supermarket. They have GREAT food there. There is also a fancy restaurant and a more casual one too. As usual with Disney, the theme is taken all the way and really makes a beautiful atmosphere. See you soon!

As for Mickey and the $300 mil.... I seem to see a frown on the plush Mickeys we have at the store... Walt on the other hand... I think there is a lot of ground being churned up over his grave as he rolls over... and over... and over. What a jerk! I would say more, but that would be flaming, right?

Renae

 

[Annie12345]

Hi Everyone - Just thought I'd check in with a quick "hi"... hope all is well with all of you... I've been busy with the new job, and getting used to the commute. I don't have to travel every day, but at least a couple of times a week... We are all anxious to go back on the cruise with all of you... I was talking to a friend today who has only cruised on Carnival and when I talked about the ship I think I convinced her that DCL is the way to go...

Renae what's the scoop with Michael Eisner? Did he take a payout? I hadn't heard about it.

HADD...

 

[auntrenae]

HI,
I need to be very tactful in what I say here because I work for Disney, but the gist of the Eisner situation is that at the stockholders meeting, 43% of the stockholders voted no confidence in him as Chairman of the board. It wasn't enough to get him thrown out completely, but he has been replaced as Chairman. He is 'only' CEO now, half of the job and half of the power he had. The Chairman job has unfortunately gone to one of his cronies, so nothing has really changed. The problem with this is that when he is gone, which many believe will be by the end of the year, he has a HUGE golden umbrella for himself where he will be paid $300 MILLION over 6 years. I can say that there are a LOT of very angry cast members who are making less than the industry average for the reason that we were told we needed to sacrifice because of tough economic times... nuff said... A lot of us would love to see Roy Disney come back to give a much needed boost to our company. We'll have to wait and see what happens. I hope that answers your question. If you are interested, you can go to a website called www.savedisney.com and see what is being said there.

 

[The4OfUs]

Thank you for the explanation, Renae, I meant to ask too, but never got around to it!! Sickening huh, how some executives get handed everything. I was on the subway last night at 5pm...it's PACKED...many older ladies, a couple with canes, standing up trying not to fall over on the 1/2 hr ride we take...and who is sitting in the seats? All these 30 something executive men (and a few women) in their fancy business suits and brooks brothers overcoats, leather briefcases at their feet and the Financial Times or Forbes Magazine in their hands, IGNORING all these old women...I was disgusted. When one finally left, I made sure one of them took the seat, pushing in front of a young woman going to sit down. Please. Makes me sick.

*ahem* Off that soapbox....Annie, so you like the new job? Are you guys still thinking of moving?? And has anyone heard from Karyn and Randy? Hope things are well for them!

 

[dizdadof2]

I check in on the thread to get the morning updates and wasn't disappointed.

Ranae, I had to move the trip back a bit, Isabel and I will be down to CSR on Wed, Mar 31. We'll see you down there.


Here is some news on the Corporate front:
New
York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi yesterday said the giant public pension fund he oversees, and those of other states, agreed to give Walt Disney Co. "some time" to improve performance before renewing demands to oust chief executive
Michael Eisner.


Mike

 

[auntrenae]

Mike,
Thanks for that update from the Times. I hadn't heard that. Eisner is doing a huge PR job through the Travel channel specials on WDW, saying that he saved the company... He did do some good a long time ago, but then...
Sorry to hear you will be later, but it's only a week away now, so here's the weather report. It will be in the upper 70's to low 80's by the end of next week! How's that grab ya? Not quite swimming weather, but pretty nice!
Annie, there's a lot going on in the company, and we're hoping Roy gets enough support to be back at the helm soon. There are massive quantities of pixie dust being expended to that end.
ttfn, Renae

 

[The4OfUs]

Originally posted by auntrenae

Sorry to hear you will be later, but it's only a week away now, so here's the weather report. It will be in the upper 70's to low 80's by the end of next week! How's that grab ya? Not quite swimming weather, but pretty nice!

You're cute Renae, you MUST be from FL...here in MA, that's shorts/tank tops/flipflops and DEFINITE swimming weather, at least for my family! *wink*

 

[dizdadof2]

It snowed here yesterday. 70-80 !!!!!!!!

That's swimming weather. Do you need me to bring you a toque from Canada to handle the weather down there?

Looking forward to the trip. I have 2 days before work starts and 2 days at the end.

I am planning to take a picture of the start of it's a small world for the cruise scrap book. The sign above the entrance states "welcome to the happiest cruise that ever sailed"

Good start to the pictures.


Mike

 

[auntrenae]

Nikki and Mike,
I've only lived in Orlando for less than 3 years and I am aware that I've gone totally soft. I grew up swimming in cold rivers and now can't go in water that's less than 75*. After a few times in the Caribbean, it seems that's the way it should always be. If the weather is over 80 I begin to think about swimming a lot...
The pool at the French Quarter is great, and you can slide down a dragon's tongue into the pool. Kinda creepy, but still fun...
Mike, it looks like you will have to break up your fun with work in the middle, but at least you will have some.
I didn't know you scrapbooked! That's a great idea for a start page for the cruise, I'm going to have to snitch your idea! I hope you don't mind. We should swap scrapping ideas from the cruises, I've got tons of pages from other Magic cruises, but haven't printed any yet from this one except for the underwater camera. This digital thing could get addictive!
see you soon, Renae

 

[Cap]

All you warm weather people have to be careful. First you won't want to go swimming unless it's at least 80 degrees outside.

Next you won't want to go in the water unless it's hot tub temperature. You'll never get asked to join the Polar Bear club.

 

[dizdadof2]

My sister is the big scrap booker (dizmomof2), she even sells the stuff. My wife and her do the scrap booking some evenings with out the kids. I am trying to get this one done as a surprise and have been looking for ideas. I found some pictures of It's a small world and remembered the sign at the front. Any other ideas or pictures would be greatly appriciated. I do have some great shots from jedokids that she shared. (thanks again!)

Keep the warm weather (that means 80 ) for me Renae

See you soon, Mike

 

[The4OfUs]

Our oldest of the three dogs, Rebel (we think he's about 16) was hurt today. He was let out this morning like normal, and then the minivan was being pulled out of the garage, and he didn't see it apparently, and he was not seen, as it was dark out (5:30am) and he got under one of the wheels.

I took him to the emergency pet hospital. His pelvis is snapped basically. They have him on an IV for pain meds, and are running bloodwork to determine if surgery is even an option.

I'm heartbroken, we've had him with us since DH and I met, 1990. He's been with us through everything. He jsut went to the vets last night, for his age he's in great shape.

So I wait...and then if they can do surgery, determine if I can justify the 2000.00+ bill...and if I can't, determine if I can live with myself for that, because I"m one of these people to whom our pets are like our children. And then if we decide we can't do the surgery, do I wait for the children to get home and choose their own method of saying goodbye, provided Rebel is comfortable enough to wait for that. I'm waiting to speak to my son's therapist about that one.

I could use some Disney magic right about now. Anyone know how to turn the clock back?

 

[Cap]

Nikki,

Deciding when to say goodbye to a pet is one of the hardest things I've found we have to do in our lives. Making the decision, and promptly, is also one of the basic responsibilities of a pet owner. Drawing out the decision creates suffering for the animal and for the people involved.

From our experience, I'd suggest that you don't get the children too involved in making that decision - it's really an adult type decision. Don't burden the kids.

In addition to the dog's future quality of life and the financial costs, I'd also suggest considering the emotional and time costs for you and your family.

I'm sorry that this has happened. You have my sympathy for what is already a tough day.