20041218-cruise-friends-memories

[djs113]

1500 !!!!!!!!!!! Congrats to the entire thread !!!!!!!!

 

[gail1771]

HI EVERYONE. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL WHO WILL BE FLYING INTO ORLANDO FOR THE HOLIDAY CRUISE.

I just got off the phone with Delta and American Airlines. You can book your airline tickets with any airline carrier 331 days out from your trip. The 331 must be calculated from your return date. Anyone flying home from the cruise on December 28th can book your tickets after midnight(12:01am) on January 31st. Or if you are not up at that time February 1st. It is the cheapest way to get airline tickets as they give the best discounts early on. Especially during the Holiday break. I have been doing this for years and I have NEVER gotton a voucher back if the fares go down because they never do during this time. I guess there is always a first. If you are staying on after words see below:


December 29- book February 2nd
December 30- book February 3rd
December 31-book February 4th
January 1- book February 5th
January 2- book February 6th
January 3- book February 7th
January 4- book February 8th
and so on.

I am sure most of you know this but for all who do not it is a great way to save $ on the airline tickets. It is like early booking discount.

Have a great day everyone. Fondly-Gail1771

 

[lneeley]

Wow, I'm gone for a night and you guys went crazzzzzy! Gail, I booked my outbound tickets with frequent flier mileage at 12:01 a.m. on Tue. night (well Wed. a.m.). I was on the phone with Delta at midnight exactly! Anyway, the outbound tickets are on hold until I can book the return on Jan. 31. Since there are 13 of us coming (well, 12 as per the airlines-we have one under 2), I am using mileage as much as possible since it would add about another $4,500 to the trip in airline tickets from Salt Lake to Orlando. Good thing I fly alot and have a ton of mileage! I am just hoping that Delta releases FF seats on the return since it is in the middle of the holiday period. I figure Tues. the 28th is a pretty good bet, after the holiday weekend, and before the New Year. So I am keeping my fingers crossed.

I can't believe how many of you here own many different timeshares. We bought our first at Old Key West with DVC in 1994. We bought our second with Marriott in Park City, Utah. We bank the 100,000 points every other year. The other year we book into the exchange with Interval. Then our third timeshare is with Marriott at the Maui Ocean Club in Hawaii. We go to Hawaii every year, have never exchanged for points or through Interval. Infact, the Maui Marriott is such a hot property that Interval will give you 2 weeks in the exchange if you will give up your week in Maui. We leave April 6 for 2 weeks in Maui. We will stay at the Marriott on Marriott points for part of the time, and then use our week the other part. We love Hawaii in the winter months and it is amazing to sit right there on the beach and watch the whales breach out of the water. It is incredible.

Anyway, I was amazed at all the talk on the boards last night, so thought I would get caught up. My DD who will be 12 in April, would be willing to email with any others out there. She is quite busy. Not to brag, but she is quite busy with all of her activities. She sings, dances, etc. etc. and for this year she works for Radio Disney Salt Lake City as the Salt Lake City Kid Caster. She won a contest in Dec. 2003 where over a 1000 kids auditioned and she (Jamie) and P.J. (boy who is 14) won and they are now working with Disney Radio for the next year. Just another thing for me to run her around to along with trying to work to pay for the cruise!

Okay, that's my five minutes for the day. Have a great Disney Day everyone!

 

[ohiominnie]

Originally posted by lneeley
Wow, I'm gone for a night and you guys went crazzzzzy!

Seems like whenever the thread is getting to a milestone ppl go crazy trying to get the post count up. Leave for a day or two and you've got 6 new pages of messages to deal with

 

[tkd lisa]

Whoo hoo! We're really cooking on the thread count here!

Diane, I love to dance. Nothing formal though, just general bar hopping fun dancing stuff here! DH is pretty good about humoring me. One on of our first dates, he said that he figured out that I don't care that he's not a good dancer, as long as he's willing to be out there with me that's what matters!

We had a great time at 70s night on our last cruise! Looking forward to the clubs again.

 

[WDWLVR]

Great job everyone! Over 1500 posts and on page 101!

I will definately bring my spare pins with me and join in the fun!

Gail - thanks for the heads up on booking our flights. Now I just have to figure out if we should take an extra day and fly down the day of the 17th.

 

[lneeley]

Our family is all bringing their 70's clothes (well, we have to go buy them at the thrift store), and we are going to dress up the 70's night. (not the kids, just the 8 adults). Anyone else out there game? Join us with some great polyester!

 

[djs113]

Now here is my yearly dilemma

Book with Delta on the first possible day as Gail has suggested

or wait a month or two until Jet Blue opens up its December flights and book with them.

To put it in context, we love Jet Blue, it is our favorite airline to fly and the kids love the Direct TV within each seat

Problem is that Jet Blue does not let you know when specific months will be opened up for sale

Do I wait for Jet Blue, and take a chance at missing the good seats on Delta - or say the heck with it and book Delta right away?

hmmmmmm

- David

 

[PrincessAuroraInBlue]

Originally posted by lneeley
I can't believe how many of you here own many different timeshares. We bought our first at Old Key West with DVC in 1994.

We have our timeshare @ Old Key West too- i absolutely love it there!! It's my favorite of the Disney Resorts!! Just aboard our last cruise we also bought more timeshares, but at The Boardwalk Villa's right by the back entrance to Epcot. Plus, it's always fun to talk to the DVC people around the parks and the boardwalk and such- they've given me pins, buttons and tons of stickers! Maybe that's cause i'm a cute blonde... hmmmmm...

 

[PrincessAuroraInBlue]

Originally posted by gail1771
Anyone flying home from the cruise on December 28th can book your tickets after midnight(12:01am) on January 31st. Or if you are not up at that time February 1st.

You know, i really wish i could... but UNFORTUNATLY i'll already be on the Magic on the 31st!! What a shame... i suppose it's still possible to book from there... Athough, i'm driving cause by then i'll either be in DeLand or Tampa... and my Parents will fly nonstop "Alaska Air" from seattle... And besides... we're really sort of Southwest people hehe, i don't like pre-arranged seating (that is, unless you're late and get stuck between a loudmouth and a screaming baby)

 

[lneeley]

David-Do you actually fly Delta or do you fly Song? I was curious, so I went into JetBlue's website and found for over Labor day (Friday to the Tuesday we get back) that it is $79 each way. Then I went onto flysong.com and put in Thanksgiving (kinda leaving the week before on Friday, staying over Thanksgiving and flying back Tuesday) and I got $87.60 each way. Looking at the Delta Song website it looks like they have leather seats, with individual tv's and stuff at each seat. Maybe you will want to check this option out cuz you can book with them 331 days out from your return. If it were me, and I might possibly be only looking at that small difference in price (who know what it will be like when they open in December), I would book the Delta Song flights as soon as they opened and be done with it. Maybe some of our other posters can give you a heads up about Song. Delta doesn't offer it here in the West, so I don't have a personal experience to share, however, I noticed on the website they had a customer comment area. Anyway, let us know what you decide to do. I'm just curious. I'm sweating it out here in Utah waiting for that window to open on the return flight for Dec. 28, since I am using frequent flier mileage for 11 out of 13 going! I got us all on the outbound, but I am worried that they are going to release seats coming back on Dec. 28 with the holiday. In any case, I will be calling at 12:01 a.m. Feb. 1 (EST). Good thing is, that is only 10 p.m. my time!

 

[wdwgoose]

I guess you all have really been busy the last few days, I just cannot keep up. I am Glad that GaRry keeps me updated on what has been happening. I am releshing an evening home - it is toooo coooold to ride the horses , so no trip to the trainers. I miss seeing the horses but I don't mind the evening home. (the first in a few weeks) It gives me a chance to actually read some of the many posts since I was last here. GaRry just walked in and informed me I was only to be reading - isn't he nice!! lol

Leilani - I hope to be joining you on the 4-10 cruise. I know the kids don't have a show that weekend so maybe. I've walked through the Disney suite but never had the opportunity to enjoy a glass of wine in one (GaRry says only boones farm)

PrincessAuroraInBlue you really should take your knitting with you I would hate to think you might not have enough to do on your cruise.
I don't think I ever got my order in GaRry said he ordered four of them but I think he meant HE ordered 4. Are you still taking orders?

Well I am going to go enjoy my evening off.

Vicki

 

[gail1771]

Hi Everyone,

Ineeley We have been to hawaii and stayed at the Hyatt next door to the Marriott and a time share a few years back. We loved it. We went whale watching and they came up to the boat. We ate huge animal lovers. Anyway we also bank a year of our points and than use the weeks with II or Marriott. We would love to go back to Hawaii when DS is older. DD is an awesome traveler but not DS when it comes to plane rides he is only 2.7 years old. We are actually thinking of doing a cruise or timeshare next year in Hawaii with DD either during March or April break depending the way the vacations fall next year.

As for booking airline tickets. We flew Delta Song the first week they flew and flown them several more times since. It is just like Jet Blue but they have not put in the T.V.'s at each seat yet. They are suppose to do that sometime this year. We have also flown Jet Blue which is great too. I just feel better knowing I have my tickets and the days I want to fly. We also have a few free tickets left with FF points on AA and Delta and two free vouchers with AA(I hope to use to go to Hawaii) but I have unused ticketrs I need to rebook with Delta Song before 4/3 so I will use them for Decemver. OH and Delta Song only charges $25.00 reticket fee which is great and I think Jet Blue charges the same or a little more.

David, Don't worry about the $ for the pin when we meet in the spring we can exchange pin for $.

Flurries in NY this evening. They are talking about another snow storm on Monday. I hope they are wrong. DD has missed enough school.

Hi Vicki, It was good to hear from you.

Have a good night everyone. Fondly-Gail1771

 

[gail1771]

Ineeley,
I wanted to tell you that my DD also sings and dances. She is almost 7. Emily has been doing hip hop for 3 years and Tap/Ballet for 2. She takes two hip hop classes a week and a theater class.

She also is a great drawer and has drawn pictures for her school. Emily is very creative. She takes an art class once a week and she just started playing the piano and loves it. Eventhough Emily is younger I am sure she would love to meet your daughter.
Talk to you soon. Fondly-Gail1771

 

[2belles'mom]

PrincessAuroraInBlue---gotta LOVE that Alaska non-stop from Seattle!!! We used USAA miles for this last trip and Alaska had nothing for the days we needed to fly--so we did the marathon coast-to-coast. I must say: NEVER AGAIN WITH CONNECTIONS (well, unless it means not going to FL--I guess we could sacrifice if it was the ONLY way .
10+ Hours of travelling and layovers is just WAY TOO MUCH.

We are going to Hawaii in April and have a non-stop--still 5 hours, but not bad...

Gail1771--My DDs both love to sing and dance (although DD7 has 2 left feet... but don't tell her...).

Ineely--I am sure my 2 DDs will be IN AWE of your "teenager"!

 

[DVC4US]

Hi everyone, hope you are all having a good Thursday evening.


Vicki,

It would be great to have you guys on board in April. Tell garRy I doooon't know about the Boones Farm because we are wine snobs and just like jilljill I have to have a cork in the bottle. Just kidding!!!. If he must have Boones Farm or something like it, tell him I think I have a bottle of Mad Dog 20-20 way back in the cabinet from about 10 years ago. It should be good and aged by now.


LeiLani

 

[jilljill]

Originally posted by DVC4US
Tell garRy I doooon't know about the Boones Farm because we are wine snobs and just like jilljill I have to have a cork in the bottle. Just kidding!!!.

I sure am glad to have another 'cork enthuist(sp?)' onboard.
I don't call it being a wine snob, just someone who has good taste in wine

 

[2belles'mom]

CALLING KABULI1!!!!!

How is your Washington wine education coming? DH and I would like to contribute some Washington wines as well...together we could come up with a quite a contribution.

Have we established when and where?????

 

[WDWLVR]

Good morning everyone! TGIF and I really mean that!

Don't know if I'll make chat tonight. I had two press ok's to do last night - one at 8:00 and one at 11:30. Didn't get to bed until after 1 am and up at 5 am - think I'll be crashing tonight

Nice to see Vicki posting - tell gaRry he needs to hand over the keyboard more (not that we don't like seeing him as well. I told you that you should get your own ID!

We have "fluffy" snow headed our way - whatever that means. Me, I'd rather had and warm temps headed our way.

Well off to read the board before going to work. Have a great day everyone!

 

[DVC4US]

Good Morning Mary, and everyone else.


Barb - I agree with you, we are not wine snobs, we just have good taste. I was just teasing garRy.


I will try to make chat tonight since DH is out of town.

Everyone have a great Friday!

LeiLani