20050514..May 14, 2005...Official Check in Disney's 1st 14 Day thru Panama Canal

[JenKatt]

Scott, the dive trip sounds great, doubt Jeff and I could go, neither of us get alot of vacation time and the cruise is sucking up most of it... We're definitly going diving in Curaco during the cruise tho!

 

[rcostello1]

I'm looking at Prime Time Shuttle (http://www.primetimeshuttle.com/). Select "LA Cruise Ship Terminal" in the airport list.

Still undecided on my transfers for both ends of the trip. But I did make reservations for the Westin LAX. $89/nt--I love that hotel! Very convenient to Bev Hills. I love it up there. Or I guess down there depending on how you look!

Originally posted by Cap

What is the recommendation for transfers from the ship to the airport in California? We booked the cruise, but without transfers as we don't need them in Orlando. Is Disney doing them, and if yes, to what airport and at what cost? I think it's time to pin down the return home part of the trip.

 

[Scott H]

Will be interesting to see what diving opportunities will be available on this cruise. Pacific side will be much cooler. I am such a cold water ninny, I wear a full 5mm in the Caribbean, will need a vest to add for the Pacific side. It is always a debate wither to bring our own gear, hate renting unless I know the operator. Diving off Curacao is very good.

Primtime Shuttle looks pretty good. Thanks for the link.

I just got to thinking about the first scheduled meet on the ship. Scheduled for the starboard side might not be a good idea. Given that our group is getting larger we might cause the ship to list. I can just hear the captain announcing " would the DIS people please move midships".

 

[moocow35]

Originally posted by Scott H

I just got to thinking about the first scheduled meet on the ship. Scheduled for the starboard side might not be a good idea. Given that our group is getting larger we might cause the ship to list. I can just hear the captain announcing " would the DIS people please move midships".

[/B]

 

[Hygiene99]

Really Scott I KNow we wont be able to go ... it is fun to dream...


So is everyone spending the weekend and Going to Disney land ?? we are.. also we are going to try to stay at Grand Calafornian hotel... ???


Fly home on Monday...

 

[JenKatt]

We're actually thinking of not flying home unteil Wed, since Saturday will be pretty shot with all the port stuff for the first time being there and then the hassle of getting to DL. Plus Sunday and Monday will be very busy days, we'd use Tuesday to finish everything up... As much as Jeff and I would love to stay at the Disneyland Hotel (monorail!), finances won't allow it. Can anyone reccomend a good hotel near DL that isn't an arm and a leg?

Scott, I'm a cold water chicken. In a 80 degree pool I was very comfy for 5 minutes in a 3/5 mm suit, after that I was freezing. Our open water dive down to 35 ft was miserable for me. Renting versus using our own equiptment isn't an issue, we don't have our own equiptment. We bought the basic mask and fins, spent a bit on wet suits, other than that, we're at the mercy of the tour operators. Oh well.

 

[Scott H]

Jenn,

There are several Best Westerns just across the street from DL. It has been several years since we stayed there. They were nice and very close. There is a Holiday Inn Just north of DL not a bad walk. We used to camp ( would bring the pups) at the DL Campground, which is no longer, now it is a parking lot.

Most properties have a shuttle service.

DL board might have some info there.

We will fly our on Tuesday.

 

[Scott H]

Jenn,

Got to looking at sopme of our past trip logs and notied we stayed at the Best Western Park Place Inn, rate was about $89.00, it was off season and three years ago. Two years ago we stayed at the Holiday InnAnaheim at the Park, rate $80. Again off season. Hope this helps.

 

[shellofclearh2o]

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. I have been house sitting for a friend who is on a tour of Finland, Russia & Estonia.

Jenn & Peter -
I do not know what cabin # I have yet...in cat 11 GTY & there are cat 11 cabins on deck 6 so it is possible.



We are hoping to spend 1 or 2 days at DL since we will be so close & esp since we have never been. I am looking at DL resort hotels (would love to stay at GC) vs good neighbor hotels and then fly back out of SNA. I have to be back to work & reality on Tuesday.

Cheers,
Michelle

 

[Az Pirates]

Our 1st choice hotel is the DL hotel - actually prefer it to staying at the GCH. We might do the Grand again if we ever go without kids - but that just never seems to happen.

We have stayed at Howard Johnson's several times - it's affordable and has always been clean and good service and is a quick walk to the parks. They also run a shuttle if you don't want to walk. They seem to always be renovating and updating - which is good. I think they just refinished at least one of the pools recently.

We have also stayed up the street in Garden Grove - an area with quite a few nice, new hotels and a Target right across the street - which can come in handy. Our favorite there is the Embassy Suites - only problem is I think all the hotels there have gone to ART for transportation now. It's only about a five or ten minute ride - but we just don't care for the ART bus system.

 

[Scott H]

Wishing all good luck for their 9:00, 8:00, 7:00 pr 6:00 , (time zone dependant)call to DVC.

Ready, Set, Dial.......

In the Words of Mel Fisher, "today is the day."

 

[rcostello1]

Nothing on the DVC website...lemme know if you get anywhere on the phone. I'm in a meeting right now so I don't know if i can get to a phone at 9am...

 

[Scott H]

Will do

 

[Scott H]

Nada for DL, at this time.

 

[SandraLee]

Anyone flying back on May 28? I don't think we are going to extend in CA.

What time will be a good time to book return departures?

 

[rcostello1]

I checked hotel availability on travelocity and expedia and you can't book ("no rooms available") at the Disney resorts. Other hotels are available.

They are so slow out there...hope they get their act together soon! At least maybe if we can't book a room through DVC then nobody can book a room!

 

[Scott H]

To be on the safe side, as it will be a holiday weekend, I booked a room at the Holiday Inn Maingate. Can cancel if we get a DL resort reservation.

 

[rcostello1]

If I can't get DVC I will go for HHonors rewards at the Anaheim Hilton. I do like the Hilton. The Embassy Suites across from Target (sort of) is also very nice.

I like having Red Robin and Outback right there, it's very convenient.

ho hum. Tired of waiting!

 

[danicaw]

Hi Everyone!
We have been gone a week and the boards have been busy.... but I think I am all caught up now.

We spent the 4th (and 6th) at DCA and DL, enjoyed the Fireworks and the Electric Light Parade. Crowds were ok on the 4th (spent most of the day at DCA) and a lot heavier on the 6th (most of the day at DL). We met Jindy and her DD...It was great to meet you guys, hope the rest of your trip was good.

Then we were off to a family wedding this last weekend. Family who I apparently don't know very well, they are huge Disney Fans. Part of the wedding ressional was "Zippy do Da". Hubby and I loved it.

Ok, on to cruise stuff.
We aren't finding the great airfare prices you guys are.....One way from Seattle is still a bit high. dalemm's comment about the open-jaw has us thinking we need to check on our Delta FF miles.
We are staying at OKW before the cruise and out at the port one night.
And hoping to fly out of any So Cal airport but LAX....wow is LAX busy. We flew into LAX and out of Ontario this last week....night and day difference. I think Orange County (is it called John Wayne?) airport is the closest to DL.

I should finish unpacking.
Is it still over 300 days away?

 

[seaulater]

Jenn-try the Fairfield Inn in Anaheim. Right across the entrance to DL on Harbor Blvd. and we have stayed there for about $79 a night. Nice, clean and inexpensive. Plus you can walk in and out of the park, no problem.

There are tons of places right around the park. Just depends on what you want to do.

Linda