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

[karaeric]

Ken, If you a member of PADI Diving Society there is a Dive Quest discount, also a DVC discount if that would apply. Segway is a fun experience.

Cold water ninnies unite!!!! I am even thinking about a tropical dry suit. Will see what DUI has to offer this fall at the dive show in Las Vegas.

Kara, thanks for checking it (SCUBA) out for us. I doubt if it would help but tell them you can provide and instructor and divemaster.

No problem! I'm having my TA take the first stab with DCL now, will let you know how it goes.

Not sure how your internet connections are at home, but on the ship unlimited access seemed pretty expensive for the 10-day cruise at $129, and you have to assume it will be more for the 14-day. Oh, and there are four computers in the Cove Cafe to use, but they are a lot more crowded together than the computers in the normal Internet Cafe on the ship, which means a lot less privacy.

 

[kpros]

After seeing those pics, I wish DH and I knew how to scuba! Thanks for sharing those great pictures!

This is our family's first cruise and although I am an internet junkie, I was wondering if the unlimited internet access is something I will really use? For those of you who have cruised b4...did you go with the unlimited and how often did you use it?

Thanks everyone!
Laurie

Hi Laurie

Like Kara said, the Internet package is very expensive, but if you are on the net very long at all it pays off. We were on the net each day checking E-mails and sending trip reports. If you were only going to check your E-mail once or twice during the whole trip, then you would probably only want to do the pay as you go plan. But if your on for more then that, the unlimited plan works out.

We have done the unlimited plan on our last two cruises.

I would bring a laptop if they had wireless - maybe sometime in the future.

Ken

 

[kaylin]

My brother tried to certify me years ago to dive, but I panicked and could'nt do it. It might be different no though! It looks fun, but I think I will just cheer you on from the comforts of the Castaway Cay hammocks !


Kim

 

[Scott H]

If I don't get internet on the ship I won't be tempted to check work email. Lynn hates it when I do that, I get yelled at when I check office voice mail on vacation. Can't say as I blame her.

But it is nice to check in here and see what a good time we are having.

 

[karaeric]

If I don't get internet on the ship I won't be tempted to check work email. Lynn hates it when I do that, I get yelled at when I check office voice mail on vacation. Can't say as I blame her.

But it is nice to check in here and see what a good time we are having.

Funny, DH seems to get bent out of shape when I check work email on vacation too! Oh well, I just won't do it then! Good news is the Blackberry doesn't work well on the ship.

We would love it if we could pay for some type of wireless connection on the ship! We take the laptop on all trips anyway, so that would just be a bonus feature with no extra luggage.

BTW, for those of you trying to decide on the internet useage on the ship, it's $0.75 per minute. Thought that might help you decide between checking once or twice and going with the unlimited plan.

 

[JenKatt]

Jeff will be getting the internet plan. There's no way he can be gone from the office for 14 days and not check in. Up side is they'll be paying for the internet access...

Ken, my favorite place to eat at Downtown Disney is either Bongos or Wolfgang Pucks. Favorite spot on all of property is Spoodles. Hubby and I have been to every resteraunt on property between us... what kind of food are you looking for?

 

[Hygiene99]

Kpros

We Always Reccomend The Flying fish Cafe At the Boardwalk Just Love it ..

Funny Jen Spoodles has just not struck us Right and we have not Dined there as of yet ..

PASSPORTS We called Dcl and Have Been Told that We do not NEED to have a passport for this trip that a Birth Certificate would Be Fine ??

What do u all Think on this??

 

[kpros]

Peter and Jen

Since we will be staying at the Port Orleans and generally using the WDW transport system, we need some places that would be easy to get to. I know the Downtown Disney is close by, but I don't know how close other things are. Something less formal would be best for the first night since we will be just getting off the long plane ride. But for Friday, I was thinking something nicer like one of the resturants at one of the big hotels, like Ohana or something like that.

Peter - I'm sure that if DCL says birth certs are OK, then you should be fine. We went ahead and got passports several months ago - but we also just used the Key to the World cards and our drivers licenses to get back on the ship at the various ports. We really only used the passports at the port for check-in and at customs on the return.

Ken

 

[karaeric]

Peter, I agree with Ken. Do what makes you happy. Getting a passport is super easy and they're good for 10 years, so it can be worth the money. However, if you don't need one and don't want to bother getting one, then you're set with a DL and birth certificate.

Ken, if you like sushi, we HIGHLY recommend Kimono's at the Swan. Hands down one of the best places to have super fresh sushi, and they also offer teriyaki and tempura dishes. At DtD, we really like House of Blues. We've absolutely never had a bad meal there. Sorry, we tend to stay away from most of the nicer places at the WDW hotels. We ate at California Grill once and didn't understand what the hoopla was all about. Just ate at Spoodles before the 10-day, had great food and great service, so I agree with that as a choice as well. Oooh, or Tepanyaki in Japan at Epcot...hmmm, making myself hungry. Okay, I'll stop now.

 

[kpros]

Actually, we are already planning to eat at the Tepanyaki place after Dive Quest. So I'm with you on that one. Where is Spoodles?

Ken

 

[karaeric]

Actually, we are already planning to eat at the Tepanyaki place after Dive Quest. So I'm with you on that one. Where is Spoodles?

Ken

Spoodles is on the Boardwalk, so from your resort, it would probably be easiest to bus over to Epcot or MGM, then walk or boat over to the boardwalk. Spoodle is along the section to the left of the Boardwalk hotel if you're facing the hotel from the boardwalk...hmmm, that's sounding convoluted. Well, it's just down from the ESPN Club, near the Boardwalk Bakery.

 

[Scott H]

So many good places to eat at WDW, for your first night arriving there is the Earl of Sandwich at DTD. Good food and reasonable prices.

Artist Point at WL... HOB, Bongos, Ohannas', man o man they are all good. I also really liked the Brew pub at Boardwalk. They had a great tuna sandwich.

Peter, like other have said reference Passports, get'em if ya want them. I think they are very handy just incase the urge strikes for a little travel where they are needed.

 

[BobandLee]

..........Any body need a size 54 reg tux, 2 jackets and two pr pants and some shirts? I think it will be cheaper for me to buy a new one as opposed to getting my old one altered.

There you go bragging. What size are you now. 44?
Unfortunately, I may need alterring in the other direction after the holidays!

Bob

 

[DisneyPinDiva]

Ohhhh I agree.. Earl of Sandwhich for your first night... I love the Hawaiian BarBQue... Joe likes the All American.
Ohana's is fun but the food is so so... like most Disney dinner show fare if you ask me... just MHO though. We like Le Cellier (Epcot Canada) although it's pricey. Spoodles and Flying Fish at the Boardwalk are also very good. Almost any of the "operating participant" (non Disney owned) restaurants on property are good eats! Just depends on what you feel like eating at the time I guess.

Still trying to get Joe online... I'll let him know that others are jumping in where he fears to tread....LOL Of course that would mean I would have to relenquish the computer at times..... LOL NOT!

We'd be interested in snorkeling the wreck at CC... never knew it was out there... I have never ventured out beyond the orange balls.....LOL Jaws and all you know....LOL Joe loves to tell the story of how I encountered a hugh ray out there and with foggy mask and poor eyesight thought it was a shark. Yes, a scream does sound very strange thru a snorkel.....

 

[BobandLee]

So many good places to eat at WDW, for your first night arriving there is the Earl of Sandwich at DTD. Good food and reasonable prices.

Artist Point at WL... HOB, Bongos, Ohannas', man o man they are all good. I also really liked the Brew pub at Boardwalk. They had a great tuna sandwich.

Peter, like other have said reference Passports, get'em if ya want them. I think they are very handy just incase the urge strikes for a little travel where they are needed.

Passports would be a good thing if for some reason Disney changed their port of calls at the last minute. As it stands right now, a birth certificate would do just fine, but then you never know.

Everyone mentioning all those eating places makes me hungry. We like the House of Blues and Bongos (the Tres Leches is great). But then almost everything at DTD is good. Since we are staying at the Embassey Suites, we will eat there or somewhere close by. Or maybe we won't even make it out of the manager's reception and the open bar there.

 

[Hygiene99]

Ken

Flying Fish is next To Spoodles..

So u Could take the bus to MGM and Take a Very pleasant Boat Ride over to the Boardwalk .. have Dinner and Catch The night Time Fireworks Show at Epcot. We Also Love Canada / Le Celliar In Epoct..

oh so Many To pick From...

Ohanas is a Good Take Also..

We have Eaten our Way Around The World Now We Are Stuck Doing the ones that did not Jump out At us like Spoodles..

 

[moocow35]

We had a wonderful meal at House of Blues, but you should go early. Once the entertainment starts, there is quite a line.

I plan to get unlimited internet. My DD would never forgive me if I did not, and I send home trip reports as well. I'm sure it will eat up nearly my entire $200 onboard credit, and the rest will go to coffee drinks in the Cove!

We already have passports, in fact I just had DD's updated, she changed so much since I got her the last one. Did not look a thing like she does now. Last thing I need is problems with security!

Robin

 

[spros]

Thanks for all the dinner advice. I appreciate the help! The Earl of Sandwich sounds good for the first night and we might try Ohana for the last night. But on the other hand .......... who knows

It's so much easier on board.

Ken

 

[JenKatt]

IMHO I wouldn't go on this cruise without a passport. God forbid you had a medical emergency and required to get off the ship and be treated in somewhere that required passports... I wouldn't want to think about that nightmare. Even if this is the only time you ever use the passport for travel (which is this group I would find hard to believe) it is an excellent second photo ID. One last thing, if you loose your Birth certificate on or during the cruise it can take an act of God to get it replaced where as replacing your passport is easier even while abroad (as we found out in Germany)

About getting to the Boardwalk from PO. It would be easier to take the boat or bus to DTD and transfer to a bus the Boardwalk. Or if Epcot will be open, bus there and walk thru the park to the Boardwalk. Unless you are slower than molassess on a cold day, you will always beat the boat. Conversely, cabs are not that expensive to take anywhere on property
Ok, I'm tired off to bed with me

 

[Scott H]

Jen has an excellent point on passports. Also even traveling with passports I make at least two photo copies of our passports and keep them in separate locations, in the event we should loose the originals. This makes replacement easier I am told.

Yep I think I am about a 44 now, a couple of years ago ( actually three) I could have told a tailor my exact size. Now my mind just is not adjusted to my new size. I also have a great full 3 mil wet suit in XXL.

How many of us will be at WDW the night or two before, we will be there on the night of the 11th. We will be at SSR and if folks would be interested we could do a late afternoon/early evening byob wine and cheese thing at our SSR room. We will have a onebedroom unit.

Leslie LOL at your stingray encounter. Interesting side note, my students are always surprised to learn that they can vomit through their regulator when SCUBA diving. I tell them they then become the most popular person of the dive, because after such an event they really attract a whole lot of fish.