20050618 - June 18, 2005 - Magic to Mexico

[DBinMV]

Sorry I just got back into this....

Great suggestions on Sam's Club and Costco.

Other options include Beverages and More: http://www.bevmo.com They carry a very nice selection of wines and spirits and good prices. There's one in Orange, not too far away from Disneyland.

There's another place with a good selection called the Wine Exchange in Orange, about 15 minutes from Disneyland: http://www.winex.com

And here is the Hi Times Wine Cellar web site: https://www.hitimewine.net/
They have a HUGE selection of just about everything, but prices are varied, in my experience. They are a bit farther away in Costa Mesa.

And no, I'm not a lush either.

On another note:
Anyone got any good ideas on how to explain to a 4-year-old that we're not going on the Cruise for 3.5 more months? He watched the Travel Channel's feature of the Disney Cruise line with me, and is WAYYY too excited... he keeps asking if we're going on the cruise today. <sigh>

DBinMV

 

[CruisingCA2005]

LOL. My 3 year old keeps telling everyone about the Disney Cruise. At least once a week she asks if we're going on an adventure. I think another trip to Disneyland will quiet her down for a little while.

I've read that some people make a "cruise chain" for their kids. Everyday they get to take off a link (a paper clip, etc) to see how many days are left until their cruise.

DH & the kids got their passport pictures done yesterday. We're planning on turning in our documents on Saturday (the LAX airport post office is open on weekends).

 

[Hollyster2]

We did a cruise count down, and will probably do that again. My youngest was then 4, and as long as she saw something happening with the count down, she seemed to be more patient. She is used to the Christmas count down calendars and chains the other kids have done around here.

 

[Hollyster2]

I guess we are going to get passports. I have one, but we will have to buy 6 for the rest of the family. OUCH! Anyway, does anyone know how long they take to arrive?

 

[Hollyster2]

Started getting our passport pictures yesterday. With everyone's busy schedules it will take a few days. Did you all take both parents with you to get the passports for your under 14 yr old children, or use the signature form?

Remember, if you belong to AAA, passport photos are free!

 

[vacationbug]

Hi everyone. No "big" snow here, but it sure did wreak the "normal" schedules in our lives. It started as a nice rain and did snow, but the media "build-up" was way more than the actual snow amount. The roads are clear and wet and although it is still flurrying, it isn't expected to amount to anything. DD was dissapointed because she wanted to build a "snow fort". We did manage to build one a few years ago when we actually "got" snow for winter. Haven't seen much sun lately!

We sent our passport applications in on Valentines Day, and so it's been about 2 weeks. They give you a time frame of 4-6 weeks, so it's good to get them done before May I imagine! I promise to tell you guys when our kids' have arrived so you'll have a better idea of the time frame

 

[Hollyster2]

This passport thing has me all frazzled. We live in CA, and my friends are saying "Why in the world would you need passports to go to Mexico?" Has anyone heard any really good reasons? We have cruised 3 times, once to Ensenada, and twice to the Western Carribean. We showed our birth certificates when we boarded the ship, and when we got off of it. Very simple procedure. I have started having the photo's taken, but really am cringing at the total it will cost to have this done. Anyone have anymore information or opinions on the subject to help me make up my mind?

 

[dlander]

Are there any 12 year old girls going on this cruise? I would love my daughter to have a head start on a friend to meet.

I am also not too excited about getting a passport. My dh has one and thinks it is the way to go. I am just so excited! Has anyone heard if the new Passporter is coming out soon. I am dying for some more info on this cruise!

Jenn

 

[DBinMV]

I think you can still use the birth certificates - no problem, it'll just mean a longer wait.

I think Disney is recommending the passports because they are expecting the West Coast cruises to be very crowded - if they can alleviate a line (and get the folks off the ship in a more timely manner), that's better for everyone.

Personally, my 2 year-old HATES having his picture taken - we haven't gotten a good one yet for the passport application.

DBinMV

 

[Hollyster2]

We go back and forth about the passports. One day I am getting them, the next day I am not. ::sigh::: Anyway, I do NEED to know if there is a theme night. I want to be prepared if there is a pirate night! That would be so cool! I just hope they have some kind of theme night. If you all hear of anything, POST IT PUHLEEEZE!
I am still trying to figure out what snorkeling excursion to take in Cabo. I love that I keep reading more and more great reviews on Randi's Happy Horses!

 

[Hollyster2]

Anyone know what kind of time changes we will experience? I read that Puerto Vallarta has a 2 hour time difference. It said that getting the kids up at 7a.m. will feel like 5 a.m. Anyone?

 

[CruisingCA2005]

PV follows Central Standard Time (CST) is 2 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time. They also observe daylight savings time so it will still be 2 hours ahead of PST when we travel. Mazatlan & Cabo are both Mountain Standard Time (MST) (1 hour ahead of PST).

It's a sunny day here in Southern California!

We were able to get the paperwork for our passports turned in this weekend. We were the 2nd in line but by the time we left, there were approximately 15 people in line waiting to get their passports.

I've also started shopping "for the cruise". LOL. I'll use any excuse to go shopping.

 

[Hollyster2]

So do you think we will observe a time change the 1st or second day at sea? Then be two hours ahead on our first port day, then only an hour ahead the next two port days? Is that right?

 

[vacationbug]

Hey Gang! We're almost at DOUBLE DIGITS!!

The kids' passports arrived in the mail on Saturday the 5th! So that was just 15 working days (figuring the gov'mt doesn't work on Sat & Sun; at least the passport makers). Not too bad!

Kiddos were excited to see them.

Hey we're above freezing today! Started out the day with some sunshine, but now it's "the usual" grey and cloudy. I understand the temps will drop sharply tonight and we'll have a chance of more of that white stuff with tomorrow morning's run for the bus! Hey it's March!

I've been busy trying to find an airfare that is reasonable with reasonable times of departure and arrival. I think it is impossible to get all three, so will have to do some settling...

Rae Ann - whatcha shopping for? Sounds like fun!

 

[Hollyster2]

How many days is it actually? I HATE that we don't have our timers anymore.

 

[dlander]

Ooh Rae Ann a girl after my own heart! I have been trying to hold back the urge to shop for the cruise. It feels so far away. I heard there was not going to be a pirate night. I hope that is wrong. I am so glad there will be several sailings before ours so we can find out info!

 

[Hollyster2]

No Pirate night? I wonder if they will do a mexicalifragilistic night. I would like to know if they are doing any theme nights at all.

 

[CruisingCA2005]

100 days out!!

We have a dinner/dance to go to on Saturday so I picked up an outfit that I'll also wear on formal or semi-formal night. I also got a few things for DS to wear for Easter & "for the cruise". DH doesn't want to take more than 1 suit (good more room for my clothes & DD's clothes) so he'll be just taking a different colored shirt & tie & wearing the same suit for semi-formal night. I've thought about renting tuxes for the guys but it seems like formal & semi formal night are getting less and less formal on the Magic. Shhhhhhhh....I'm not telling DH that he can wear jeans on casual nights.

 

[DBinMV]

Cool!!! Being a California casual kind of guy, I was sweating having to _always_ be dressed up for dinner. (For me, "dressed up" means collared shirt and anything besides shorts/jeans)

As for formal night, a suit is required, yes? Does anyone know how many "formal nights" there will be? I'd like to avoid having to do laundry on the cruise, but I may have to buy another shirt or tie (or 2).

Ha! Now I don't have to go the mall with DW this weekend!

DBinMV

 

[CruisingCA2005]

Good news for you DB!!

From the DIS Cruise News page:

Jeans are now acceptable attire under the revised "Cruise Casual" dress policy. It is still requested that guests do not wear shorts, swimwear or tank tops to the dining rooms.
The attire is determined by the day, not the restaurant with the exception of Palo. The seven night cruise has a formal night, semi-formal night, pirate/tropical night and four "Cruise Casual" nights.

Here's the dress code for Palo:

During dinner, gentlemen will be required to wear a dress shirt. Gentlemen wearing polo shirts, t-shirts, Tommy Bahama style shirts, etc will not be allowed admittance. Jackets and/or ties are still recommended but not required. Notices will be in the Personal Navigator, on the Palo reservation card and a sign outside the elevators on deck 10 will contain this dress advisory. The Resort Casual dress code for both the brunch and high tea remains unchanged.