20050618 - June 18, 2005 - Magic to Mexico

[DBinMV]

Best wishes on a speedy recovery, Rae Ann. Don't forget to hit Juice it Up or Jamba Juice for some cool refreshment. Too bad you have to be laid up on such a nice day!! (Here's a webcam link so all of you non SoCal folks can enjoy it virtually - http://www.hotellaguna.com/web_cam.html)

We'll probably get to the port around 11 or 12.

vacactionbug, if you hear anything about REAS, I'd appreciate it. We booked it, as well, but were told that Disney would be calling us to tell us how to book our Palo and Spa reservations online. But, when I called to book excursions, the rep said that our travel agent should be taking care of our Palo and Spa reservations for us. I figure I'll give them until mid-April to figure it out.

TGIF , and all that,

DBinMV

 

[TallMidgetGirl]

Feel better soon Rae Ann!

 

[Hollyster2]

How ya feeling Rae Ann?

 

[CruisingCA2005]

I'm doing great. LOL. Even the dentist commented on how "tough" I was.

Holly: I saw your thread on the main cruise board about leaving kids in the kids club while on a shore excursion. We're planning to leave DD (she'll be 3 1/2) in the kids club in Puerto Vallarta. DH & I have an excursion at 10:15 (unless I make ressies for the other canopy tour instead). My mom & DS have an excursion at 11 so they'll probably drop DD off at the kids club before their excursion. She already goes to preschool and she's pretty outgoing so I think she'll be fine. I know you're going in a large group - maybe someone who's not going on the excursion can pop in to remind them to go to the potty.

We've also booked the REAS but I'm still waiting to hear something about theme/formal nights before making any plans. I'd like to schedule everything and not have to worry about it anymore but I keep thinking - what if I schedule our massages on the morning we have our character breakfast.... What if I schedule Palo on pirate/mexicali/birthday celebration night.... You get the picture.

 

[swcruiser]

My DS and I love to eat at Taste Pilots Grill in Ca. Adventure. Its a fast foody kind of place but they have huge burgers and a condiments bar where you can get tomatoes, lettuce and the like.

I have not eaten at the Carnation Cafe so I can't speak to that. We do like eating at Goofy's Kitchen at the DL Hotel. Its a character buffet and since you will be on the ship later don't know if that would appeal to you. There is also the Blue Bayou at DL. Its inside of Pirates and you can watch the boats go by. You can't request to be by the water at the time you make your PS. You have to wait until that day to ask to sit by the water. Please note in the summer, that could mean a very long wait. There is also the french market cafe in the same area. Great clam chowder and salads. They have a mint julep (non alcoholic) that will just hit the spot in the heat of summer.

I do not like the food at the place by Buzz Lightyear's show/ride. Its not the pizza port but I can't remember the name. Tastes like cardboard.

I am an AP for Disneyland so if you have any more questions, I'd be happy to answer them. We go at least 10 times a year. Hope this helps!

 

[CruisingCA2005]

It's been a sunny day in S. California!

It took us a little over 20 minutes to get to Disneyland today - and we're a little less than 10 minutes away from the port.....so on a good day you can get from Disneyland to the port in 1/2 an hour. I'm not sure how long it would take if you're actually driving the speed limit.

We rushed over to the Buzz Lightyear ride, got near to the front and the ride shut down!!!!!!!! I got fast passes before they shut down the fast pass machines too and we went the the Blue Ribbon Bakery for a early morning snack. DH & DS really enjoyed the cinnamon roll and DD & I shared the "so-so" chocolate croissant. We checked back at Buzz and the ride was still down so we went to Fantasyland and rode Dumbo, Alice in Wonderland, the teacups and we headed to Small World. There was no waiting at any of the rides. After returning to Tomorrowland to ride Buzz (twice) and Autopia, we went to CA Adventure to look at (and not ride) Tower of Terror. We had an early lunch at Pacific Wharf around 11:00 - vegetarian chili, clam chowder, and shrimp louie salad. We took a ride on the carousel then headed home....

It's 6 oclock and I'm trying to decide what to have for dinner... I'll check back later!

 

[vacationbug]

Welcome to SWCruiser! How many in your party SW? Late or early dinner seating? We're a family of 4 with attached party of 2 (total of 6) (Me, DH, DS(13), DD(9) and MIL & SIL). We did the early dinner seating on the Wonder in 2002, but we're doing the late seating this trip.

Thanks for the info on the "eateries" - I'm by no means a conesieur (conne-sewer? That's phonetic --Oh help me with the spelling! ) when it comes to food; I like most everything EXCEPT cardboard, so thanks for the warning...we'll keep it in mind!

DBinMV: I'm sure that there's a few of us with REAS (are we all hopeless romantics or just looking to get those spa/Palo ressies done?) so we can keep updates as we go. Last I heard, the woman named "Debbie" who does take care of the REAS packages is out of the office currently and then she's back for a few days, but takes off for vacation (what?!! They're allowed? ) so I'm gonna wait a bit more until trying to contact her-- PLUS I agree with Rae Ann - it's important to know some information before making those ressies. I know I have her phone number in my files -- (ugh...the folders are labeled and its a separate file drawer for WDW/DCL/and DL stuff; this is a badddd sign! ) --but that's at home. I'll try to post it later. Rae Ann probably knows this information too. Either way, we'll definately keep 'ya posted.

Rae Ann: Glad to hear you're doing so well! Did you do any more cruise shoppin' in celebration of your dental success? What did you decide for dinner? I'll have the chocolate soufle, please!

Only two weeks left of classes! Yipee! Then May 10th is my last final and I can relax!
This weekend I (finally) got the fed&state taxes done. What a waste of an entire day of my weekend! The sad thing is: we do get a return. I just hate the thought of spending so much time getting it done. At least the weather was appropriately dreary and gross- yes we had SNOW! but the good thing is that it is all gone (it snowed all day, but didn't stick, and that which did melted). Today it is supposed to warm up to the 60's (it was in the 30's this morning when I came to work) and !!! Yes, gotta love those days with sunshine here in the arm"Pitt" of America. For you baseball fans:The baseball season opener begins with the Pirates playing today at 1 something. Other than that, nothing exciting to report from this little part of the world.

Have a good one everybody! We all need it!

 

[Hollyster2]

It's April! Where is our West Coast News?

 

[dlander]

Wow! I am so excited! Only 2 1/2 months to go. I haven't been on the boards in a while. I did buy a new bathing suit for the cruise and one for dd12. I absolutely must go take care of passports for myself and dd. DH has been nagging me for a month. I don't know why I am procrastinating so much.

I forget who was asking but we really like Carnation Cafe. The food is excellent (sandwiches, soups and a couple of heartier meals) and the servers are so nice! And they have banana splits! How can you go wrong? We are heading to Disneyland tomorrow. We were there twice in March and were able to hit Buzz Lightyear several times. I am so glad they brought that out here! It is one of our favorites at Disney World.

Well it is fun to be back with everyone. I really hope to meet with you all on board. We have early seating and also plan to be at the port at noon.

 

[Hollyster2]

I wonder if the May sailings have any info on their cruise yet? I will check that out.

 

[DBinMV]

A friend here at work is going on the repositioning cruise departing May 14th. He hasn't heard anything yet, either. But, I haven't talked to him today, yet.

DBinMV

 

[Hollyster2]

Waiting and waiting and waiting.

 

[DBinMV]

Well, in the deafening silence....Happy Friday everyone. All my co-worker knows about his cruise is that there are 2 formal nights and 2 semi-formal nights, since his is a 14-day cruise. Other than that, he's in the dark, too.

It looks like I'm taking the boys to Disneyland on Sunday - so I'll try to make a point to get over to Carnation Plaza.

Best wishes,

DBinMV

 

[Hollyster2]

Oh our board is so quiet! No news... So who can give me some leads on some bathing suits for tall women? My 15 yr old is 5' 10".

 

[tink1963]

Oh our board is so quiet! No news... So who can give me some leads on some bathing suits for tall women? My 15 yr old is 5' 10".

I don't know if this helps, but my co-worker's wife is very tall and she does a lot of her shopping at Nordstroms.

 

[dlander]

Hollyster, have you tried Land's End or Newport News? I am a shorty myself (5'2 1/2). Just got a suit delivered today that dd said revealed too much mommy! Guess that will have to go back. New catalogs came today and I can hardly wait to buy more cruise clothes. Of course, I'm not supposed to pack too much, right? Well, have a happy weekend everyone.

 

[Hollyster2]

Thanks! I will definitely try Nordstroms because they have tall jeans and have hopefully have tall torso bathing suits. My daughter will not wear a bikini. I haven't received the new Land's End catalog so I think I will go look online. Thanks!!
By the way...it is practically the middle of April already. Anyone hear anything on the cruise yet? I think I mainly want to know if I need pirate stuff or not.

 

[Hollyster2]

Hey Vacation Bug! Did Randi get back to you about how she is going to work out all of us riding on June 22? I can hardly wait!

 

[CruisingCA2005]

Bumping us up from page 2.

Holly - did your daughter find her swim suit? I'm a shorty too (5'2") so I often have the opposite problem.

It looks like I won't have to do too much "cruise shopping" for myself after all. I've been cleaning out my closets & found some clothes with tags still on them hidden away. Shhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! Don't tell DH.

No West Coast news to report.

I reserved 2 rooms at the Disneyland hotel for June 28th-30th since our visitors from Hawaii want to hit the theme parks while they're here. We've stayed at the Grand Californian once (DH's cousin had his wedding reception there) but we've never stayed at Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier. I think I may change the reservations to a 1 night stay then make reservations for 2 nights in San Diego. Sigh.... sooo many choices to make.

 

[Hollyster2]

Rae Ann~ We are hitting the outlets next Saturday to look for a suit for my tall girl. She turned 15 today! I need a suit too, but I am only 5'7". Hopefully I will find one for each of us this weekend!